- Eve Drain appointed as new environmental appeals convenor
- Ms Drain brings wealth of experience in environmental assessment to the role
- Appointment comes amid overhaul of WA's environmental approvals system
Respected environmental scientist Eve Drain has been appointed to the role of appeals convenor following a thorough selection process.
Ms Drain will move to her new role from BHP Iron Ore, where she led a team accountable for environmental approvals.
She has previously held senior industry and consulting positions and has a Bachelor of Science (Environmental Biology) and Bachelor of Arts (Asian Studies) from Curtin University.
The independent Office of the Appeals Convenor investigates appeals against environmental decision-making in Western Australia on behalf of the Minister for Environment.
This includes proposals considered by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), emissions from prescribed premises, clearing of native vegetation, environmental and vegetation notices, noise exemptions and approvals, controlled waste transportation licence decisions, and rejected or cancelled actions plans for used packaging materials.
Ed Schuller, an executive director at the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation who has held the role on an acting basis since December, will continue to act as appeals convenor until Ms Drain starts in the role.
Comments attributed to Environment Minister Reece Whitby:
"Eve Drain is an outstanding individual and will provide stability and leadership to the Office of the Appeals Convenor.
"This independent office plays a role in giving the community confidence that major job-creating projects are environmentally sound.
"The appointment comes at an important time for the Cook Government, as we deliver former Environmental Protection Authority chair Dr Paul Vogel and planning expert David McFerran's recommendations to overhaul WA's environmental approvals system.
"I would like to thank the acting appeals convenor Ed Schuller for his steadfast leadership at what has been a critical period for the appeals office."
