Secretary
Michael (Mick) Cassel
MProDev, GradCertAppFin, BConMgt (Build)(Hons), GICD
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 |
Atticus Fleming AM |
Mel Hawyes |
Somerset Hoy |
Amanda Jones |
Bianca Jordaan |
Amanda McCarthy |
Marcus Ray |
Shaun Smith |
Leon Walker |
Gail Connolly |
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 |
---|---|
Marcus Ray, Deputy Secretary Monica Gibson, A/Deputy Secretary Felicity Greenway, A/Deputy Secretary Amanda Fairley, A/Deputy Secretary David Gainsford, Deputy Secretary Abbie Galvin, Executive Director Hannah Shalbaf, A/Executive Director Raema Melverton, A/Executive Director Independent Planning Commission | |
Atticus Fleming, A/Coordinator General Naomi Stephens, A/Deputy Secretary Brendan Bruce, A/Deputy Secretary Louisa Mamouney, A/Executive Director Mia Garrido, A/Executive Director Sam Kidman, Executive Director Suzie Christensen, Chief Executive Erin Giuliani, Chief Executive Cameron Kerr, Chief Executive | |
NSW Environment Protection Authority (NSW EPA) | Tony Chappel, Chief Executive Officer |
Amanda Jones, A/Chief Executive Officer Jason Gordon, A/Chief Executive Officer Kaia Hodge Amanda Chadwick Giselle Howard Graham Attenborough Mitchell Isaacs Grant Barnes, Chief Regulatory Officer | |
Homes, Property and Development | Leon Walker, Deputy Secretary, Simon Newport, Chief Executive Famey Williams, Chief Executive Neisha D’Souza, Executive Director PDNSW Peter Graham, Executive Director Stace Fishwick, Executive Director Vy Nguyen, Executive Director Stewart McLachlan, |
Melanie Hawyes, Deputy Secretary Jennifer Hickey, Chief Executive Mark DeWeerd, Executive Director | |
Gail Connolly, A/Deputy Secretary | |
Dr Liz Develin, Chief Executive Officer | |
Valentina Misevska, Chief Executive | |
Corporate functions | Shaun Smith, Chief Operating Officer Chris Martin, Chief Financial Officer Bianca Jordaan, Chief Digital and Information Officer Caroline Myers, Executive Director Kyleigh Laughlan, Executive Director Rochelle Davis, Executive Director Mileva Strachov, A/Executive Director Adam Wellings, Executive Director |
Somerset Hoy, Acting General Counsel, Deputy Secretary Madeleine Thomas, Deputy General Counsel Brendon Jenkins, A/Deputy General Counsel Simonne Daly, Executive Director Erin Gavin, Director | |
Office of the Secretary Douglas Walther, Executive Director |