- Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) welcomes Jane Bennett to the role of Deputy Chair, bringing extensive urban planning experience to the position
- Delivering rigorous and transparent environmental advice remains paramount
- Outgoing Deputy Chair, Lee McIntosh, has completed a five-year term with the EPA
The Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn has appointed Jane Bennett as the new Deputy Chair of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
Ms Bennett, an EPA member since June 2024, has been appointed Deputy Chair until June 2027. She will replace Deputy Chair Lee McIntosh, who has completed her five-year term with the Authority.
Ms Bennett has been at the forefront of delivering major urban development projects, planning policy and legislative reform for more than two decades.
She is a member of the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC), WA councillor of the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA), chair of the UDIA's Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group, co-owner of a planning and design consultancy, and has held senior planning roles with a number of WA local government authorities.
Ms Bennett is a recipient of the UDIA Women in Leadership Award and was made fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia for her contribution to urban planning.
She has also previously served as a DevelopmentWA board member for seven years.
The EPA's operations are governed by the Environmental Protection Act 1986 which stipulates an objective of the EPA is to 'use its best endeavours to protect the environment'.
Authority members are appointed by the Governor of Western Australia, on the nomination of the Environment Minister.
The WA Government thanks outgoing Deputy Chair, Lee McIntosh, who has been instrumental in delivering the EPA's strategic priorities and advocating for assessment processes that resulted in strong environmental outcomes.
As stated by the Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn:
"Ms Bennett will be a tremendous asset to the EPA in her expanded role as Deputy Chair with her wealth of experience across planning, policy and governance.
"She understands the importance of collaboration between government, industry and community to achieve sustainable outcomes.
"I have every confidence that under her stewardship as Deputy Chair the EPA will continue to deliver rigorous, transparent and forward-looking environmental advice."
