The Hon. Craig Knowles AM has been appointed as the new Chair of the WaterNSW Board of Directors, bringing decades of water governance experience to one of the state's key water infrastructure and regulatory agencies.
The NSW Government is committed to strong and experienced leadership across our water agencies as NSW navigates a critical period of infrastructure investment and reform.
As the State's largest water supplier with responsibility for operating 41 dams across the State, WaterNSW plays an essential role in delivering water for regional and metropolitan communities and the environment.
Mr Knowles was appointed founding Chair of the Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) Board in 2017, a role he has held for almost a decade, serving under four Water Ministers across three successive governments.
He also chaired the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, representing Australia at the 2014 United Nations Forum on Water and Energy, and served for 11 years as a NSW Government minister, including responsibility for the Sydney and Hunter Water Corporations.
In 2015, Mr Knowles was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia for his service to local government, the NSW Parliament and the community.
Mr Knowles succeeds Peter Duncan AM, who has stepped down after serving as WaterNSW Board Chair since March 2022.
Minister for Water Rose Jackson said:
"I'm pleased to announce the appointment of Craig Knowles as the new Chair of the WaterNSW Board.
"Craig brings extraordinary experience to this role, from his time as a state minister responsible for water portfolios, through to almost a decade building and leading NRAR as its founding Chair, a position he was appointed to back in 2017.
"We look forward to Mr Knowles' continued contribution in the water space as WaterNSW delivers on its important role for communities right across NSW.
"On behalf of the NSW Government, we sincerely thank Peter Duncan for his dedication and leadership as Chair over the past four years."
WaterNSW Board Chair Craig Knowles said:
"I want to sincerely thank Peter Duncan for his contribution and leadership as Chair, and for the work he has done steering WaterNSW's Board through a period of significant transformation.
"I'm honoured to take on this role and look forward to working with the Board, the executive team and staff to support WaterNSW in delivering essential water services for communities across the state."
