Sutherland sails into sunset

Tuesday, 4 May, 1999 - 22:00
That looked like Jervoise Bay development supremo Bruce Sutherland with wife Noel cruising off Fremantle aboard a classic wooden powerboat – on a weekday.

It probably was. But, after a 12 month stint, the economics major has jettisoned Jervoise to concentrate on consulting so he’s as free as the wind.

A senior executive is now sought to take the wheel in place of Mr Sutherland, 57.

“What’s being created here is a major centre of excellence – of world class,” a still-enthusiastic Mr Sutherland told Briefcase.

Against the promise of 1,600 new jobs in an industrial complex for local fabrication and engineering companies to support $20 billion worth of WA resource projects, Mr Sutherland’s year has also meant dealing with the negatives from development opponents.

“I fully understand and am sympathetic to their concerns for the environment. But this has been taken into account in the early planning stages and addressed,” he said.

Holding the fort until new a management team is in place is Department of Commerce and Trade’s Ross Marshall.