The Australian Government has welcomed Infrastructure Australia’s (IA) announcement of Romilly Madew as its new Chief Executive Officer, to continue important independent work analysing and assessing infrastructure projects to provide strategic advice and guidance, to State and Federal decision-makers.
Ms Madew is the current CEO of the Green Building Council and a former winner of the national Telstra Business Women’s Award.
She will assume the CEO’s role in April and replaces Anna Chau who has been IA’s Acting CEO after replacing Philip Davies following the end of his three-year term, last year.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack welcomed Ms Madew’s appointment by the IA Board, saying it will bolster the agency’s skill and expertise, to assist with the planning and delivery of major, national infrastructure projects.
Mr McCormack said Ms Madew’s appointment came at an important time in the development and implementation of key infrastructure projects which benefit Australia’s national interest in the transport, energy, telecommunications, water and social sectors.
He said strategic guidance and business planning were vital to delivering projects throughout the nation—as part of the Federal Liberal and Nationals Government’s record $75 billion infrastructure plan—which can ensure people arrive home sooner and safer and businesses operate more efficiently.
"Ms Madew has a proven ability to forge strong working relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders in industry, government and the community and I welcome her appointment to this important leadership position," Mr McCormack said.
"She has been the CEO of the Green Building Council of Australia since 2006 and a driving force behind Australia’s sustainable building movement.
"Ms Madew’s expertise will help to ensure IA can continue to consult with a broad range of stakeholders to provide high quality advice and strategic feedback, to assist the Federal Government and others with making important decisions about major infrastructure investments."
In taking on the CEO’s position in April this year, one of Ms Madew’s priorities will be assisting with the finalisation of IA’s Australian Infrastructure Audit; due to be released in mid-2019.
She will also oversee the development of the independent agency’s latest Australian Infrastructure Plan which provides an investment roadmap and sets out infrastructure challenges and opportunities faced by the nation over the next 15 years, in areas such as productivity growth and living standards.
Ms Madew has occupied multiple Board positions including; Deputy President of the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council; the World Green Building Council; and the Sydney Olympic Park Authority.
She has also won several major awards including; the national 2009 Telstra Business Women’s Award—Community and Government; the 2017 World Green Building Council Chairman’s Award; and the US Green Building Council’s 2015 International Leadership Award.
At the Green Building Council of Australia, Ms Madew represented more than 650 companies with a total annual turnover of $40 billion and oversaw the Council’s Green Star rating system, under which around 2,250 Australian projects have been certified.
The CEO of IA is appointed by the Board under Section 29 of the Infrastructure Australia Act 2008 and Ms Madew’s recruitment was overseen by an Assessment Panel which included IA Chair Julieanne Alroe.
