Dr Robyn Paice appointed new chair of Busselton Water

WA Water Minister Dave Kelly has announced the appointment of Dr Robyn Paice as Chair of the Busselton Water Board.

A member of the Board since 2018, Dr Paice is a leading expert on freshwater ecology and has more than two decades’ experience in water quality, biological monitoring and management of South West waters.

With a background in research, Dr Paice has a depth of experience in aquatic invertebrate and plant taxonomy. She is passionate about a research-based approach to the management and restoration of ecosystems in a drying climate.

She is also a sessional academic at Edith Cowan University and a Research Fellow at Murdoch University. Dr Paice has a strong background in sustainability through her past work with the City of Busselton, Geographe Catchment Council, and the Water and Rivers Commission.

She will be joined by two new members of the Board:

• Mr Robin Belford brings a wealth of engineering and management experience to the water and construction industries in both the private and public sectors.
• Ms Jane Sparkes is Director and Partner of a local accounting firm, STA Accountants, and has over 20 years' accounting and advisory experience.

Three long-serving and highly decorated members are departing from the Board, including former Chair Helen Shervington and members Geoffery Oddy and Angus Smith.

"I would like to congratulate Dr Paice, Mr Belford and Ms Sparkes, all of whom bring a wealth of experience and a diverse skill set to the Busselton Water Board," said Minister Kelly.

"I would also like to thank outgoing Chair Helen Shervington OAM, along with Geoffery Oddy and Angus Smith, for their significant contribution and leadership over the past decade through a period of unprecedented change and growth for the organisation."

With a combined 30 years’ service to the Board, Busselton Water Managing Director Chris Elliott said the impact the outgoing board members have had on Busselton Water is unparalleled.

“Our business has been privileged to have the services of Helen, Geoff and Angus. They have demonstrated enormous commitment to our organisation over many years, including during a period of unprecedented growth and change. We simply cannot thank them enough for their leadership and contribution,” Mr Elliott said.

“As we look to the future and strive to balance the need for innovation and high-quality water delivery with regional growth and climate change, we look forward to drawing on the experience and leadership of this very capable Board."

Busselton Water Board members are nominated by the Minister for Water and appointed by the Governor in Executive Council to serve a three-year term.