Secretary and our leaders

Attention: NSW Caretaker Period has commenced

The caretaker period for the NSW Election commenced on 3 March 2023. Accordingly, no ministerial press releases or related information issued by the Government from this date will be available in this website. For copies of recently issued ministerial press releases of information on the election policies of any political party, as they relate to the department/agency or its portfolio area, please go directly to the website of the relevant political party.

Secretary

Michael (Mick) Cassel
MProDev, GradCertAppFin, BConMgt (Build)(Hons), GICD

Michael (Mick) Cassel, Secretary portrait Mick was appointed Secretary of the Department of Planning and Environment in December 2021.

Mick has thirty years’ experience in the construction and real estate industry, and for 15 years served as a permanent firefighter in the NSW Fire Brigade (now Fire and Rescue NSW). He has expertise in managing complex stakeholders and delivering city-changing outcomes, and is passionate about creating opportunities that encourage and support thriving communities.

Mick formerly led the Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) as Chief Executive, delivering greater access and choice of housing, and addressing social housing shortages across the state.

Before joining LAHC, Mick help positions as Chief Executive of the Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation (HCCDC) and Program Director of the Revitalising Newcastle program, where he led significant and sustained urban transformation and economic revitalisation programs, including the Light Rail.

Mick is a graduate of the renowned Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program. He also holds an Executive MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management (UNSW), a Master of Property Development, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Our leadership team

The leadership team brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in urban and regional planning, natural resources, environment, heritage, Aboriginal and social housing, and governance.

The team sets the strategic direction for the cluster, delivering an integrated approach across the department to support the efficient and effective delivery of government priorities for NSW.

Dr Liz Develin
Chief Executive Officer, Sydney Olympic Park Authority

Atticus Fleming AM
A/Coordinator General, Environment and Heritage

Mel Hawyes
Deputy Secretary, Crown Lands

Somerset Hoy
A/General Counsel, Deputy Secretary, Governance and Legal

Amanda Jones
A/Chief Executive Officer, Water

Bianca Jordaan
Chief Digital and Information Officer

Amanda McCarthy
Director Aboriginal People and Cultural Affairs

Marcus Ray
Deputy Secretary, Planning

Shaun Smith
Deputy Secretary, Corporate Services

Leon Walker
Deputy Secretary, Homes, Property and Development

Gail Connolly
A/Deputy Secretary, Office of Local Government

Key functions and executives

The cluster has a diverse portfolio with over 8,000 employees and around $81 billion of state assets.

Key groups, agencies and functions	Executives
Planning	Marcus Ray, Deputy Secretary Monica Gibson, A/Deputy Secretary Planning and Land Use Strategy Felicity Greenway, A/Deputy Secretary Planning Policy Amanda Fairley, A/Deputy Secretary Delivery, Coordination, Digital and Insights David Gainsford, Deputy Secretary Development and Assessment Abbie Galvin, Executive Director Government Architect Hannah Shalbaf, A/Executive Director Housing Supply and Infrastructure Raema Melverton, A/Executive Director Stakeholder Engagement and Economic Recovery Independent Planning Commission Office of Independent Planning Commission
Environment and Heritage	Atticus Fleming, A/Coordinator General Naomi Stephens, A/Deputy Secretary National Parks and Wildlife Service Brendan Bruce, A/Deputy Secretary Biodiversity Conservation and Science Louisa Mamouney, A/Executive Director Credits Supply Taskforce Mia Garrido, A/Executive Director Governance, Strategy and Coordination Sam Kidman, Executive Director Heritage NSW Suzie Christensen, Chief Executive Lord Howe Island Board Erin Giuliani, Chief Executive Biodiversity Conservation Trust Cameron Kerr, Chief Executive Taronga Conservation Society
NSW Environment Protection Authority (NSW EPA)	Tony Chappel, Chief Executive Officer
Water	Amanda Jones, A/Chief Executive Officer Jason Gordon, A/Chief Executive Officer Water Infrastructure NSW Kaia Hodge Executive Director, Strategy and Policy, Water Amanda Chadwick Executive Director, Performance, Water Giselle Howard Executive Director, Water Planning Graham Attenborough Chief Operating Officer, Water Mitchell Isaacs Chief Knowledge Officer, Water Grant Barnes, Chief Regulatory Officer Natural Resources Access Regulator
Homes, Property and Development	Leon Walker, Deputy Secretary, Chief Executive Officer Property and Development NSW Simon Newport, Chief Executive Land and Housing Corporation Famey Williams, Chief Executive Aboriginal Housing Office Neisha D’Souza, Executive Director PDNSW Advisory & Transactions and Strategy & Analytics Peter Graham, Executive Director Environmental Services Group Stace Fishwick, Executive Director Commercial Development and Management Vy Nguyen, Executive Director Precinct Development Stewart McLachlan, Chief Executive Officer Valuation NSW
Crown Lands	Melanie Hawyes, Deputy Secretary Jennifer Hickey, Chief Executive Cemeteries and Crematoria Mark DeWeerd, Executive Director Aboriginal Strategy and Outcomes
Office of Local Government	Gail Connolly, A/Deputy Secretary Office of Local Government
Sydney Olympic Park Authority	Dr Liz Develin, Chief Executive Officer
Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation (HCCDC)	Valentina Misevska, Chief Executive
Corporate functions	Shaun Smith, Chief Operating Officer Corporate Services Chris Martin, Chief Financial Officer Bianca Jordaan, Chief Digital and Information Officer Caroline Myers, Executive Director Property, Procurement, Safety and Wellbeing Kyleigh Laughlan, Executive Director Performance, Experience and Communication Rochelle Davis, Executive Director Shared Services Mileva Strachov, A/Executive Director People and Culture Adam Wellings, Executive Director Major Projects
	Somerset Hoy, Acting General Counsel, Deputy Secretary Governance and Legal Madeleine Thomas, Deputy General Counsel Planning, Environment and Resources Brendon Jenkins, A/Deputy General Counsel Property and Commercial Simonne Daly, Executive Director Governance Erin Gavin, Director Planning and Resources Litigation
	Office of the Secretary Douglas Walther, Executive Director Ministerial and Government Services