SIMON Corbell has announced the appointment of Professor Kate Auty as the ACT’s new Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment.

Simon says Kate brings a wealth of experience and passion for sustainability to the task of overseeing the upkeep of the ACT’s natural environment.

“Professor Auty will start her new role in Canberra from May 2 and has been appointed for a five-year term,” Simon said.

“Professor Auty has extensive knowledge and experience in environmental science, public administration and law and has previously been the Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability in Victoria where she delivered five environmental management reports during her five year term.

“Professor Auty has a strong history with engaging the local community on state of the environment reporting and has previously toured Victoria to seek community input to the way the environment was managed, seeing first-hand the issues and opportunities of the natural landscape.

“The commissioner is an independent statutory position with a main role of investigating complaints about the management of the environment by the territory and issues relating to ecologically sustainable development in the ACT.

“Past investigations undertaken by the commissioner include investigations into Lake Burley Griffin and Canberra tree management practices.

“I would like to welcome Professor Auty to Canberra and I look forward to working with her on a range of matters of importance in our natural environment, including the way we continue to adapt to the effects climate change will have on our region.

“I would like to formally thank the acting commissioner Ms Ann Lyons Wright, who has been in the role since 2015. I would also like to acknowledge the work of the former commissioner Mr Bob Neil who was heavily involved in the development of the latest State of the Environment Report before retiring last year.

“The role of the commissioner is vital to the ongoing health of our local environment and provides key insight into the management of our natural environment,” Mr Corbell said.

Professor Auty is currently a member of the Melbourne Sustainable Societies Institute Advisory Board at the University of Melbourne and the Murray Darling Basin Authority Advisory Committee on Social, Economic and Environmental Sciences.

Professor Auty also has extensive experience in the Western Australian and Victorian Court systems as a Magistrate.

For more information on the role of the Commissioner visit environmentcommissioner.act.gov.au

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