The Andrews Labor Government has appointed a new chair and directors to the Urban Renewal Authority Victoria board as part of the significant expansion of its role in the lead-up to the establishment of Development Victoria.
Minister for Major Projects Jacinta Allan today announced the board would be chaired by Mr James MacKenzie, who will be joined by Ms Rebecca Casson and Mr Justin Hanney as new directors. All have a wealth of experience in corporate, international and public administration roles.
Mr MacKenzie is President of the Victorian Arts Centre Trust and Chairman of the Victorian Funds Management Corporation.
Ms Casson is CEO of the Committee for Geelong, while Mr Hanney is the Lead Deputy Secretary of Economic Development, Employment and Innovation in the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources.
The new appointments will support the creation of Development Victoria, a new statutory authority that will deliver government’s property development and social and economic capital works projects.
Bringing together the property development, urban renewal and civic infrastructure activities of Places Victoria and Major Projects Victoria, Development Victoria will provide a more coordinated approach to public land development and civic projects.
Development Victoria will progress projects already underway, including the revitalisation of central Dandenong, Ballarat West Employment Zone and the continued development of Docklands, as well as oversee major civic projects such as the State Library and Melbourne Park redevelopments.
Development Victoria will also co-ordinate the long-term development of key urban renewal precincts such as Fishermans Bend and Arden.
Tony De Domenico, the previous Chairman of Places Victoria, has been appointed Deputy Chair while Christine Wyatt, Tamara Brezzi and Graeme Parton will remain as directors. Garry Phibbs, who has been a valuable contributor to the board since 2014, will complete his role as a director at the end of the year.
Legislation to establish Development Victoria will be introduced in Parliament today.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Major Projects Jacinta Allan
“Mr MacKenzie and the other appointees will bring a wide range of experience to this new organisation, which will drive jobs, growth and development in Victoria.”
“Development Victoria signals an important change in our approach to the planning and delivery of major projects and priority precincts across the state.”
“I look forward to working with the new board to help shape the growth of our state and build a better Victoria.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020