10 January 2024

Government announces key transport infrastructure project management appointments

| Andrew McLaughlin
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Workers in high-vis uniforms working on railway

The Inland Rail project will eventually link Melbourne and Brisbane with a new freight rail corridor. Photo: Inland Rail.

The Federal Government has announced the appointment of three key senior management positions for major Australian transport infrastructure projects: the CEO of Inland Rail Pty Ltd (IRPL), the CEO and managing director of the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC), and three non-executive directors for Western Sydney International Airport (WSA).

Nick Miller has been appointed as CEO of IRPL.

Mr Miller is a well-recognised and respected leader within the Australian and New Zealand infrastructure and construction industry who brings a strong mix of governance, executive management, industry capability and construction experience. IRPL is a wholly owned subsidiary of the ARTC.

READ ALSO Troubled Inland Rail project starts oversight process to getting back on track

Wayne Johnson will take on the roles of CEO and managing director of the ARTC to lead the organisation’s rail network operations.

Mr Johnson brings significant experience to both roles with a mix of governance, business operations and management experience as Interim CEO of ARTC and former group executive of ARTC’s Hunter Valley Network.

Both appointments have been made on the recommendation by Dr Kerry Schott in her report The Delivery of Inland Rail: an Independent Review which the Commonwealth has undertaken to implement.

READ ALSO Draft Western Sydney Airport Environmental Impact Statement released for comment

Timothy Eddy, Donna-Maree Vinci and Ken Kanofski have been appointed non-executive directors of WSA Co Limited.

The government says their appointments will complement and enhance the broad range of the board’s expertise and skills required to build the new airport in western Sydney, which is scheduled to commence operations by late 2026.

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Catherine King said, “The Australian Government is committed to building strong leadership across the infrastructure sector. I’m confident these leadership appointments will enhance capability and efficiency right across the board.

“Mr Johnson and Mr Miller’s expertise will be invaluable in guiding ARTC and IRPL through the coming years, while the appointments of WSA Board Directors Mr Eddy, Ms Vinci and Mr Kanofski are a great investment into the Western Sydney International (Nancy Bird Walton) Airport and the region’s growing aviation needs.”

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