Green Building Council CEO Romilly Madew has been appointed as the next chief executive of Infrastructure Australia, the Federal Government’s independent infrastructure advisor.
Madew will assume the CEO role in April, replacing Anna Chau who has been acting CEO since Philip Davies left IA at the end of his three-year term last year.
Deputy prime minister Michael McCormack said Madew’s appointment would bolster IA’s skill and expertise, helping it better assist with planning and delivery of major infrastructure.
“Ms Madew has a proven ability to forge strong working relationships with colleagues and external shareholders in industry, government and the community and I welcome her appointment to this important leadership position,” McCormack, also the federal transport minister, said.
“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.”
McCormack said one of Madew’s first priorities will be overseeing the finalisation of IA’s next Australian Infrastructure Audit, due for release in mid-2019.
Madew has been the CEO of the Green Building Council of Australia since 2006. She has occupied multiple board positions including as deputy president of the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council, the World Green Building Council, and the Sydney Olympic Park Authority.
In 2009, Madew won the national 2009 Telstra Business Women’s Award for Community and Government, in 2015 she won the US Green Building Council’s International Leadership Award, and in 2017 she won the World Green Building Council Chairman’s Award.
IA chair Julieanne Alroe said Madew had been a driving force behind Australia’s sustainable building movement.
“Recognised around the world as a leader in the property and construction industry, Romilly is an experienced CEO with expertise in strategy, governance and policy development,” Alroe said.
“She has forged strong working relationships with industry, government and community stakeholders through her current role and previous executive positions.”
Alroe said it was “an incredibly important time” for Madew to be joining IA, with the Audit due, and work soon to begin on the next Australian Infrastructure Plan.
Madew said she was honoured to begin a new chapter as IA’s CEO.
“Infrastructure Australia has a critical role to play in helping governments prioritise projects and reforms that best serve our communities,” she said.
“I look forward to growing the organisation’s focus on delivering better outcomes for individual users across transport, energy, telecommunications, water and social infrastructure.”
The appointment was immediately welcomed by Infrastructure Partnerships Australia, which represents industry members.
“The appointment of Ms Madew will add strength to the independent advice of Infrastructure Australia in what is set to be a major year for infrastructure delivery,” IPA chief executive Adrian Dwyer said.
“Infrastructure Australia has enjoyed bipartisan support from both sides of the aisle over the years and it will be important that this tradition continues in the lead up to the election.”