Secretary and our leaders

Secretary

Kiersten Fishburn is the Secretary of the Department of Planning and Environment. In her role, Kiersten oversees a diverse portfolio spanning our natural resources and the environment, heritage, planning, land and housing, and local government.

Kiersten has worked in the public service for two decades, across multiple portfolios and two tiers of government.

She brings great enthusiasm and energy to her roles. She’s widely ambitious and passionate about delivering thriving environments, communities and helping NSW achieve its full potential.

Most recently, Kiersten was Deputy Secretary, Cities & Active Transport at Transport for NSW, focusing on ensuring our cities and neighbourhoods are integrated with transport, making places, streets and open spaces functional, beautiful, inclusive and inviting for all to enjoy.

Prior to joining Transport, Kiersten led the Planning Delivery Unit (PDU) in the Department of Planning Industry and Environment. She was also the CEO of Liverpool City Council, and held leadership roles with Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre and Accessible Arts and City of Sydney.

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

Chris Hanger
Chief Executive Officer, Greater Cities Commission

Mel Hawyes
Deputy Secretary, Crown Lands and Public Spaces

Somerset Hoy
A/General Counsel, Governance and Legal

Amanda Jones
Deputy Secretary, Water

Bianca Jordaan
Chief Digital and Information Officer

Amanda McCarthy
Director Aboriginal People and Culture

Shaun Smith
Chief Operating Officer, Corporate Services

Anne Skewes
A/Chief Executive Officer, Western Parkland City Authority

Leon Walker
Deputy Secretary, Homes, Property and Development

Brett Whitworth
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	Monica Gibson, A/Deputy Secretary Planning Land Use Strategy and Housing Amanda Fairley, Deputy Secretary Programs, Infrastructure & Digital David Gainsford, Deputy Secretary Development Assessment and Systems Abbie Galvin, Executive Director Government Architect Hannah Shalbaf, A/Executive Director Housing Supply and Infrastructure Tom Loomes, Executive Director Stakeholder Engagement and Policy Implementation 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, Deputy Secretary Biodiversity Conservation and Science Mia Garrido, 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
NSW Environment Protection Authority (NSW EPA)	Tony Chappel, Chief Executive Officer
Water	Amanda Jones, Deputy Secretary Jason Gordon, A/Chief Executive Officer Water Infrastructure NSW Kaia Hodge Executive Director, Strategy and Policy, Water Madeleine Mispel A/Executive Director, Water Performance Graham Attenborough Chief Operating Officer, Water Operations Mitchell Isaacs Chief Knowledge Officer, Water Knowledge Grant Barnes, Chief Regulatory Officer Natural Resources Access Regulator
Homes, Property and Development	Leon Walker, Deputy Secretary, Chief Executive Officer Property and Development NSW Dr Liz Develin, Chief Executive Officer Sydney Olympic Park Authority Valentina Misevska, Chief Executive Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation (HCCDC) Michael Wheatley, A/Chief Executive Land and Housing Corporation Famey Williams, Chief Executive Aboriginal Housing Office Neisha D’Souza, Executive Director Strategic Advisory Services Stace Fishwick, Executive Director Commercial Development and Management Vy Nguyen, Executive Director Precinct Development Stewart McLachlan, Chief Executive Officer Valuation NSW
Crown Lands and Public Spaces	Melanie Hawyes, Deputy Secretary Jennifer Hickey, Chief Executive Cemeteries and Crematoria Mark DeWeerd, Executive Director Aboriginal Strategy Outcomes Anita Mitchell, Chief Executive Placemaking NSW Susan Lee, Chief Operating Officer Placemaking NSW
Office of Local Government	Brett Whitworth, Deputy Secretary Office of Local Government
Western Parkland City Authority	Anne Skewes, A/Chief Executive Officer
Greater Cities Commission	Chris Hanger, Chief Executive Officer Petra Andren, Head of Innovation Districts Stephanie Barker, Head of Strategic Planning
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, A/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
	Office of the Secretary Belinda Padovan-Court, Executive Director Ministerial and Government Services