Barwon Water board flushed: New chair, members, appointed

Joanne Plummer.

LONG-standing Barwon Water chair Michael King has been flushed from the board along with five other members.
Water minister Lisa Neville said refreshing all 19 of Victoria’s water boards would ensure they could deal with the challenges of climate change and rapid population growth.
Along with businessman Mr King, members Sarah Adams, Hugh Gleeson, David Harris and Stretch Kontelj also lost their positions.
Mr Kontelj also resigned as a Geelong city councillor after relocating to London for a key role with his employer, Specsavers.
The only returning members from the previous board are Jodi heath and Rebecca Leonard.
The new chair is retail and business consultant Joanne Plummer, who was also a non-executive director of Central Highlands Water.
New members are Elaine Carbines, Christopher Lovell, Bernard Walsh, John Gavens and Jason Mifsud.
Ms Neville spilled all water board positions not long after the Labor state government was elected.
“The new composition of Victoria’s water corporation boards will better reflect our new approach to water management and will be instrumental in helping deliver the Andrews Labor Government’s water plan,” she said.
“Our priorities include providing investment and security of supply for the irrigation sector, addressing the impacts of climate change, maintaining and improving the health of our rivers and environment and supporting the economic, social and recreational needs of communities across the State.”
The new appointments take effect from 1 October.