Published on Tuesday, 23 April 2024 at 11:03:21 AM
At its meeting on 17 April 2024, Council appointed two independent external members, Vikki Viela and Steve Disley, to its new Waterways Management Committee. This new Committee was established following a Council decision in early 2024 and will comprise Councillors Anne Ryan, Jarrod Kennedy, Val Kaigg and Mikayla Love, in addition to the two new independent external members. The Committee’s objectives include identifying practical and implementable actions to sustainably improve the health and amenity of the Lower Vasse River and Toby Inlet and fostering liaison and cooperation between the community and stakeholders on associated matters. They will also review the City’s role as Interim Manager of the river. The Committee will meet a minimum of twice per year and will provide advice and recommendations to Council.
Council also appointed local resident Ben Townend as the independent external member of their Audit and Risk Committee. This Committee operates to assist Council to fulfil its corporate governance, stewardship, leadership and control responsibilities in relation to financial reporting and audit, internal audit and risk management, and is presided over by Councillor Andrew Macnish with all other Councillors also being members. The next meeting of the Audit and Risk Committee will be held on 8 May 2024.
Vikki Viela
Ms Viela holds a Bachelor of Science (Applied Chemistry) and is the current Chair of the Toby Inlet Catchment Group (TIC Group), having been a member since 2017. She has demonstrated a high level of involvement in local water quality issues, particularly for the Toby Inlet, and was involved in the development and implementation of the Toby Inlet Waterway Management Plan. Ms Viela has a breadth of experience working with the local community, including: TIC Group chair (and former secretary), member of Dunsborough Reference Group, invited as an advocate for environmental impacts on Toby Inlet regarding the Dunsborough East Urban Development, committee member for South West Capes Branch of Wildflower Society, active in liaising with district state government agencies and community groups, ongoing collaboration with the City of Busselton, and is active with school and community groups in her role with the TIC Group.
Steve Disley
Mr Disley holds a Bachelor in Civil Engineering from UWA with 40 years experience working as a civil engineer. He has operated his own locally based civil engineering consultancy business for the last 13 years and has significant expertise with roadworks, stormwater drainage, water supply, wastewater infrastructure and marine infrastructure. Mr Disley is well versed in water quality issues and water sensitive urban design practices for addressing nutrient loadings, erosion and sedimentation control, organic sediments and associated issues such as acid sulfate soils and eutrophication of receiving waterways. He also has experience in the hydraulic design of drains and waterways. Mr Disley is an active volunteer in the community and has served on several boards and committees, and is currently a Board Member of Busselton Jetty Inc. Mr Disley is also a Member of the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia.
Ben Townend
Mr Townend’s extensive career has included a range of senior executive and committee positions within the banking and regulatory industries, with a specific focus on risk management, and he is currently the Principal Advisor of Townend Risk Consulting. He holds a BSc in Mathematics and Statistics and a Masters in Quantitative Finance in addition to multiple professional industry practice certificates, and is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.
Future appointments and reappointments to these Committees will be made by the Council following each ordinary Council election. For details of the Committee’s Terms of Reference and future Agendas/Minutes, see About Council and Committee Meetings » City of Busselton
Objectives outlined in this statement are aligned with the City of Busselton’s Strategic Community Plan (2021 - 2031) Key Themes Leadership: A Council that connects with the community and is accountable in its decision making.
Photos of Steve Disley, Vikki Viela and Ben Townend for general use.
Ends. Media enquiries can be directed to pr@busselton.wa.gov.au
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