Management
Southern Water is an incorporated company owned by twelve southern councils. As owners, returns will be paid to these Councils through dividends, tax equivalent payments and guarantee fees. The Tasmanian Government does not own Southern Water or receive a return from its activities. Southern Water is managed by an independent Board.
Around 300 experienced employees from local councils and water authorities transferred to Southern Water to provide quality water and wastewater services to southern Tasmania. We will strive to develop leaders in the water industry who are focussed on creating value from catchment to coast.
Owner Representatives
Under the Water and Sewerage Corporations Act 2008, the council owners of each of the three new Water Corporations are required to appoint three Owner Representatives. The three Owner Representatives for Southern Water are:
- Cr. Graham Bury, Mayor of Kingborough
- Cr. Henry Edgell, Central Highlands Council
- Cr. Tony Foster, Mayor of Brighton.
The role of the Owner Representatives is to make and implement decisions on behalf of the owners of the Regional Corporations, including the selection and appointment of directors, preparation of shareholder letter of expectations and to liaise with council owners.
Southern Water Board
Mr Miles Hampton – Chairman
Miles Hampton B.Ec (Hons), FCPA, FCIS, FAICD
Mr Hampton is the Chairman of the Tasmanian Water and Sewerage Corporations. These four corporations took responsibility for the reform of Tasmania’s water and sewerage industry with effect from 1 July 2009. In a related capacity he is a member of the Infrastructure Advisory Council.
Miles was Managing Director of ASX listed agribusiness Roberts Limited for 20 years. He is currently a director of MyState Limited, Australian Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Forestry Tasmania and the Van Diemen’s Land Company, and is Chairman of the UTAS Foundation. Miles was Chairman of Hobart Water from 2005 - 2009 and has been a director of ASX listed companies Ruralco Holdings Limited, HMA Limited, Gibsons Limited and Wentworth Holdings Limited.
Mr Brian Bayley
Mr Bayley is the Victorian based former CEO of Melbourne Water. His industry knowledge and change management experience will be invaluable in the new corporations. He is a past Chairman of the Water Services Association of Australia.
Mr Nick Burrows
Mr Burrows has had 21 years of commercial experience with ASX listed company, Tassal Group Limited, holding the positions of Chief Financial Officer, Company Secretary, Director - Finance and Infrastructure and General Manager - Corporate Services and Finance. He has contemporary strategic, financial and risk management expertise and significant operational understanding of corporate accounting and treasury functions. He has best practice understanding of compliance and governance in a regulated environment as well as a proven ability to work within regulatory regimes. Mr Burrows has held a diverse portfolio of board positions. His roles in the private sector have ranged from Independent Non-Executive Director of VEC Civil Engineering to the not-for-profit sector where he is currently Chairman of Tasmanian Quality Assured Inc. He has experience as an Audit Committee member including at VEC, the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment and local government. Mr Burrows has also had a long involvement with Chartered Secretaries Australia including serving as National President and currently serving on the Tasmanian Branch Council.
Ms Sarah Merridew
Ms Merridew has vast experience in finance, treasury, accounting and commercial matters. She is a Director of Tasmanian Perpetual Trustees and a number of other regional and national bodies. She is also a former Director of the Tasmanian Public Finance Corporation (Tascorp). Sarah is a Director and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee’s on all four Tasmanian Water And Sewerage Boards.
Dr Dan Norton
Dr Norton’s current directorships include the Chair of the Tasmanian Ports Corporation and the Menzies Research Institute. He is a former CEO and Managing Director of both the Hydro-Electric Corporation and Aurora Energy.
Dr Jane Sargison
Dr Sargison is a Rhodes Scholar who was named Tasmanian Professional Engineer of the Year in 2011 for her achievements as an innovative engineer, strategic thinker, mentor and role model for young engineers. An expert in turbomachinery, energy and water conveying, Dr Sargison has strong analytical and practical engineering skills, developing innovative solutions for a diverse range of companies including Rolls Royce, Hydro Tasmania and BHP Billiton. She has also played a strategic technical role in technology start-up company RBE, developing commercial scale biochar systems for the safe and permanent sequestration of carbon. Her other roles include University sector leadership, engineering consultancy, as well as engineering research and development. Dr Sargison also has developed small business expertise through the operation of her own engineering company. She was a senior lecturer in mechanical engineering at the University of Tasmania from 2001 to 2011 and was Deputy Director of the Centre for Renewable Energy and Power Systems at the University from 2008 to2011, leading a research team in renewable energy, securing funding, contracts and providing research direction.She is currently Senior Mechanical Engineer and Tasmanian Practice Manager, BMT WBM and Advanced Analysis Consultant for Machinery and Water and Environment Groups for BMT WBM as well as Business Development Director with Rainbow Bee Eater Pty Ltd. She is a former Board Member of St Michael’s Collegiate School and is a member of the State Government – UTAS advisory panel on Climate Change.
Southern Water Executive Management
- Mike Paine, CEO
- Russell Fox, Executive Manager Asset Planning and Delivery
- Angela Wright, Executive Manager Customer Services
- Tony Baker, Executive Manager People and Culture
- Ian Dunbabin, Executive Manager Service Delivery
- Carolyn Pillans, Executive Manager Governance and Strategy
- Matthew Pigden, Chief Financial Officer