Inaugural Sustainability Advisory Committee members announced

Twelve members have been appointed to the City's first-ever Sustainability Advisory Committee, with each member set to play an important role in advising Council on sustainability matters in the region.

Committee members were selected from a highly competitive pool of 72 very impressive and diverse applicants and have been chosen on the basis of their expertise in environmental management, social and community planning and financial and risk analysis.

Committee members will consider, advise on and monitor the implementation of the City's Sustainability Framework and Action Plan, adopted in July 2020.

The framework brings three key priorities of sustainability together focusing equally on environmental, social and economic strategies, plans and actions.

Supporting the delivery of the framework is the action plan, which highlights the necessary key short, medium and long-term initiatives to address the City's current and future challenges and opportunities in sustainability.

Establishment of the Sustainability Advisory Committee was a recommendation of Council at the time of adopting the Sustainability Framework.

Greater Geelong Mayor Stephanie Asher welcomed the new committee members and the important role they play in advising Council on sustainability for the region.

Forming this committee is one of many actions we're taking as we progress the objectives outlined in our Sustainability Framework and Action Plan.

Our community has a variety of needs and expectations when it comes to addressing future challenges, such as climate change, population growth, infrastructure development and social equity, and this committee will help bring those perspectives directly to Council.

Congratulations to the newly appointed committee members. I look forward to hearing their insights as we work together to make Greater Geelong a sustainable city-region and a healthy, diverse and inclusive place to live for present and future generations.

The Sustainability Committee members appointed for a volunteer three-year term are:

• Andrea Pape – Andrea is a specialist in sustainability with a background in environmental planning, environmental regulation, project management and community development. She has developed, delivered and supported a range of climate change programs for local and state governments. Andrea is passionate about building resilient and connected neighbourhoods with key interests in local food production, renewable energy and strong community networks.
• Annie Woollard – Annie is an Australian educator with experience designing and delivering programs for schools and private education providers. As a Teach Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Ambassador, Annie is passionate about sharing the United Nations SDGs in her teachings and the mantra to 'think globally, act locally' more broadly with the community.
• Brad Keating – Brad has an extensive background in business leadership, operations and leadership coaching. With experience working in and a passion for social enterprises, he has lobbied businesses and various levels of government on the benefits of utilising the services of social enterprises and promoting partnerships.
• David Spear – David is working towards his vision of building an economy fit for the 21st Century through his roles as Head of Partnerships and Professional Services at RunwayHQ, founding Executive Officer of new social enterprise, GreenLight, and as a member of the Barwon South West Regional Development Australia Committee. David is passionate about delivering positive environmental, economic and humanitarian outcomes.
• Emma Connan - Emma is currently the Director of Sustainability, Supply and Environments at Deakin University. Since 2015 she has led Deakin's commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the development and implementation of sustainability strategy for all aspects of sustainability at Deakin, including energy and emissions, waste, water and built and natural environment. Emma's passion for sustainability and driving positive change in the Geelong region led her to become a member of the Committee for Geelong's Strategy and Policy Committee.
• Dr Jane Stanley – Jane has worked across many sustainability projects in her career, focusing on closed-loop systems across waste, energy and water. She is the Director of an international consultancy, FOCUS Pty Ltd, and is currently working with farmers in South Western Victoria on soil carbon projects along with sustainability projects in the Pacific. She is also the President of the Eastern Regional Organisation for Planning and Human Settlements (EAROPH Australia) and the Director of Whey Solutions.
• Joe Calafiore – Joe is the Chief Executive Office at the TAC. Joe and the TAC are very committed to working with the City and its partners to contribute to a more sustainable future. As someone that grew up in Bell Post Hill, Joe is very passionate about what Geelong is capable of, and believes we have the intellect, passion and ambition to lead in this area.
• Karen Campbell – Karen is a public health nutritionist, working for the past 20 years at the Institute of Physical Activity and Nutrition at Deakin University. She is excited to be able to bring a health and sustainable food environment focus to the City of Greater Geelong. Karen is currently on the Kardinia Health Board.
• Dr Sally Hutchinson – Sally is a research scientist at the CSIRO and is currently working on carbon fibre and CSIRO's Ending Plastic Waste Mission. She brings a vast knowledge of the circular economy, waste management, recycling and climate change to the committee. She has lived on Wadawurrung Country in Geelong for the past 30 years and is passionate about creating a sustainable future for the region.
• Sanja Van Huet – Sanja is as an exploration geologist for a junior ASX/TSX listed mining company specialising in EV metals. She also lectures in environment and geography at ACU and is a researcher specialising in geohistorical climate change. Sanja is a committee member of Geelong Sustainability and is passionate about protecting the natural quality of life and the remaining natural beauty and diversity on Earth.

• Simon Reeves – Simon lives and works in Norlane with his wife Kaylene and their family. Together with Kaylene, Simon is the Co-CEO of Norlane Community Initiatives, which is currently focused on addressing food insecurity through the creation of urban farms, social enterprise cafes and food cooperatives. Simon has a degree in Social Work and Masters in Social Change and Sustainability and is passionate about creating healthy, sustainable and inclusive neighbourhoods.

• Wayne Pales – Wayne is a senior technology leader and energy expert passionate about playing his part in creating a sustainable energy future that is accessible to all. In 2019, Wayne left the corporate world to be a stay-at-home dad, support his wife's desire to scale her business, and to write his next book. As a bestselling author, a sought-after speaker, a lecturer and an award-winning green technology blogger, Wayne is passionate about helping people and business get the most value from renewable energy investments and ensuring renewable energy is accessible to all Geelong residents.

One of the first tasks for Committee members when they attend their first meeting this month will be to provide advice on the City's draft Sustainability Targets and Measures, before they are considered by Council in May 2021.