Walsh to chair EPA

Darren Walsh has been appointed to lead the Environmental Protection Authority, after joining the board less than a year ago.

Mr Walsh joined the EPA in November to replace outgoing board member Jenny Pope.

He formerly ran environmental consultant group JBS&G, previously known as Strategen Environmental Consultants.

Mr Walsh replaces Matthew Tonts, who stepped down as EPA chair in March.

EPA deputy chair Lee McIntosh has been acting chair since Professor Tonts’ resignation to take up a role at Curtin University.

Environment Minister Reece Whitby said Mr Walsh has made a significant contribution to the EPA after joining less than a year ago.

“I look forward to seeing the expertise and experience he brings to the chair position,” he said.

Mr Walsh served as independent appeals convenor to the environment minister from 2003 to 2006.

Between 2006 and 2011, Mr Walsh was deputy managing director residential communities at Satterley Property Group.

Former Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety resource and environmental compliance executive director Karen Caple has also been appointed to the EPA board.

Ms Caple replaces outgoing board member Fiona Haslam-McKenzie.

“I would also like to extend my gratitude to Lee McIntosh, who as Deputy Chair led the board over the past six months while our government undertook significant reform in response to the Vogel-McFerran Review, and to Fiona McKenzie for her service over the past five years,” Mr Whitby said.

“Karen Caple brings significant public sector and governance experience to the board, and I look forward to the contributions she makes to our state’s environment as a member of the EPA’s board.”