Southern Queensland Natural Resource Management’s board of directors has appointed Paul McDonald as the company’s Chief Executive Officer, commencing Tuesday, October 2, 2018.
Mr McDonald has worked extensively across the natural resource management sector, and holds an adjunct associate professorship with the Sunshine Coast University for his work in south-east Queensland and the Wide Bay Burnett.
He became a licensed surveyor while working in Roma and Queensland’s south-west and holds post graduate qualifications in information systems and business innovation.
Most recently he has been part of the executive team of Brisbane-based natural resource management company, Healthy Land and Water, in the role of General Manager Business Development. He has been in senior management roles for almost 30 years.
“I’m really looking forward to the challenges facing the region as the inaugural CEO for Southern Queensland NRM,” Mr McDonald said.
“Southern Queensland has a proud agricultural heritage with a strong Landcare and community natural resource management movement based on the region’s rich natural assets and resilient communities.
“I am very keen to listen to the community, industry, government people at all levels, and traditional custodians of our land.”
Mr McDonald said his intention was to work with all sectors in the region to ensure Southern Queensland NRM delivers for the people and landscapes of the Murray Darling basin in Queensland.
“Staff from the three existing natural resource entities covering the basin have worked tirelessly on funding submissions for the Southern Queensland NRM region over the past two months, ensuring equitable initiatives from east to west,” he said.
“We have already been working with the Queensland and Australian Governments to secure those funds and I thank both levels of government for their patience and understanding while the region moves through this complex time.
Chair of Southern Queensland NRM, Mark O’Brien said that Mr McDonald was the ideal person to lead the new regional NRM body.
“Paul’s extensive leadership experience, connections within NRM and other sectors and first-hand knowledge of our region puts Southern Queensland NRM in an excellent position to build a strong and successful organisation,” Mr O’Brien said.
“In the next few weeks the board will work closely with Paul on arrangements for the first General Meeting – which will be held in Roma on 31 October.
“I encourage anyone with an interest in natural resource management to get on-board and be involved with Southern Queensland NRM, and come along the General Meeting to meet the Board of Directors and our new CEO.”
Residents are invited to become members, follow SQ NRM on Facebook and Twitter (@SthQldNRM), and to sign-up to the company’s e-newsletter. Membership forms and more information are available on the website.
