Inquiry into the establishment of marine protected areas within the Bruny Bioregion

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Panel

For the purposes of this inquiry, the Commission has delegated it functions and powers to conduct the inquiry to a Panel, in accordance with section 8 of the Resource Planning and Development Commission Act 1997.

The functions and powers of the Panel will be limited to sections 6, 7, 17 to 29 (inclusive) of the Public Land (Administration and Forests) Act 1991 (the Act).

The Commission will retain the function of reporting to the Minister under section 30 of the Act.

Membership of the Panel is:

Dr Helen Locher (Chair)
Resource Planning & Development Commission, Tasmania

Dr Locher is a Commissioner of the Resource Planning and Development Commission, Tasmania with expertise and management experience in resource conservation. Dr Locher holds qualifications in earth science, environmental science and catchment hydrology. She is the Environmental Programs Manager for Hydro Tasmania. Dr Locher has considerable experience in environmental impact assessment, natural resource management, scientific research and in development and implementation of environmental programs, with particular expertise in the aquatic environment.

Hon John Bennett
Retired Barrister and Solicitor and former State Minister

Mr Bennett has extensive experience with the commercial fishing sector.  He is a former Board Member of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, chaired the South East Trawl Management Advisory Committee for many years and is a former member of the Statutory Fishing Rights Allocation Review Panel. He has excellent economic, financial and business skills, having previously been Chairman of Tote Tasmania and the Tasmanian Institute of Sport. He is currently a Board Member of Transend Networks Pty Ltd.

Dr Matt Edmunds
Director, Australian Marine Ecology

Dr Edmunds has specialist expertise in coastal ecological investigations including scientific research and monitoring of marine protected areas. He has conducted scientific studies of marine life within the Bruny Bioregion. Dr Edmunds work encompasses a broad range of ecology, including community-environment relationships, taxonomy, population dynamics and environmental impact assessment. His work in environmental consulting has focused on the ecological assessment of wastewater discharges, as well as the assessment of natural spatial and temporal variations in fished populations and reef communities. He has done a substantial amount of research on Victorian marine protected areas, investigating seagrass beds, kelp beds and deep reef sponge gardens.

Dr Tom Lewis
Director, Rural Development Services

Dr Lewis has specialist expertise in the marine farming industry, microbial ecology and food safety. His work encompasses the management of high quality research and development projects for the Tasmanian Atlantic salmon and shellfish aquaculture industries and facilitation between commercial and academic ventures relating to food safety and agri-foods. His work demonstrates rigorous, practical innovation and he is recognised for his technical, management and leadership skills.

Disclosures:

With reference to the Bruny Bioregion:

• Dr Helen Locher advises that, as an employee of Hydro Tasmania, she has an interest in impacts to the aquatic environment arising from hydro-electric power generation practices.  Dr Locher undertakes to absent herself from considerations and take no part in decision making with respect thereto, if and when the panel may consider any significant matters arising from impact of regulated flows in the Bruny Bioregion.

Helen Locher
Commissioner

• Dr Lewis advises of the following interests in lands adjacent to or in the vicinity of the Bruny Bioregion.

These lands are:

• • A Tenancy In Common in land and cottage at Adventure Bay, Bruny Island.

Tom Lewis
Panel Member

• Dr Matt Edmunds advises that, due to a family association with interests in the Ralphs Bay area, he undertakes to absent himself from consideration and take no part in decision making with respect thereto of any significant matters relating to consideration of marine protected areas within Ralphs Bay.

Matt Edmunds
Panel Member