The government has appointed the new leaders to oversee work at 10 catchment management authorities (CMAs) dotted across Victoria.

They will be responsible for ensuring their community’s view regarding land, water and biodiversity are made known to the government when it is shaping policy and legislation.

Positions at Corangamite, East Gippsland, Glenelg Hopkins, Goulburn Broken, Mallee, North Central, North East, Port Phillip and Westernport, West Gippsland and the Wimmera have all been announced this afternoon.

In a statement, Environment Minister Ryan Smith said the appointees’ work began today.

Environment Minister Ryan Smith digs space for a new tree at Warrnambool in April.

It also said the appointments were made after the government reversed the previous government’s decision to merge the state’s CMAs and three regional coastal boards.

View the full list:

• Corang amite CMA - Alice Knight: Primary producer and director of a 1700 hectare fine wool pastoral property. Member and prior chair of Woady Yaloak Catchment Group and former member of the Corangamite CMA. Current chair/board member of Beaufort Skipton Health Service and an active member of the Anglican Church at both state and national levels.
• East Gippsland CMA – Peter Veenker: Has qualifications in educational studies (management) and accounting. Self-employed accounting and business consultant. Prior CEO of Canberra Institute of Technology. Current chairperson of East Gippsland CMA Board, Gippsland Coastal Board member, and member of Gippsland Lakes Taskforce.
• Glene lg Hopkins CMA – Michael Wagg: Holds qualifications in agricultural science, company directorship, and project management. Owner and managing director of a project management consultancy. Current member of Glenelg Hopkins CMA Board. Previously Program Manager of Land and Water Australia and Manager at the Department of Primary Industries.