Our department
Our Ministers
Minister for Agriculture and Food Security and Minister for Water
The Hon. Peter Walsh MLA was appointed as the Minister for Agriculture and Food Security and the Minister for
Water in December 2010. He is also the Deputy Leader of the Victorian Nationals.
As Minister for Water, Peter Walsh is driving change to deliver better water services, improved local
environments and increased liveability in Melbourne and Victoria’s regional cities.
Minister for Environment and Climate Change
The Hon. Ryan Smith MP was appointed as the Minister for Environment and Climate Change in December
2010. He is also the Minister for Youth Affairs.
As Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Ryan Smith is responsible for action to effectively manage and
protect Victoria’s natural environment.
Structural changes to the department
On 9 April 2013, the Victorian Premier Denis Napthine announced a number of Machinery of Government
changes to strengthen the focus on jobs and investment and more effectively deliver frontline services.
The changes included the merger of the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and the
Department of Primary Industries (DPI) to form the new Department of Environment and Primary Industries
(DEPI) from 1 July 2013.
As part of the Machinery of Government changes, the Energy and Resources portfolio from the former DPI
transferred to the new Department of State Development, Business and Innovation (DSDBI). Land Victoria
transferred from the former DSE to the new Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure (DTPLI).
The transfer of staff and functions following Machinery of Government change is undertaken pursuant to Section
30 of the Public Administration Act 2004. The Premier signed the Section 30 declaration to officially transfer staff
to DEPI or DSDBI on 3 June 2013. Land Victoria staff officially transferred to DTPLI on 1 July 2013.
The DEPI Secretary, Adam Fennessy, assumed responsibility for the leadership and direction of the new
department and DPI on 15 April 2013. A transition taskforce with representatives from both departments was
then formed to lead the establishment of the new department.
Our executive
Adam Fennessy
Secretary
Adam Fennessy was appointed Secretary on 15 April 2013.
Before this appointment Adam was the Acting Secretary of the former DSE.
Adam has extensive experience across land, water and natural resources management and has worked in both
the Commonwealth and Victorian public sectors.
His previous senior leadership roles include Deputy Secretary, Environment and Natural Resources within the
former DSE, and as Executive Director, Infrastructure and Economics in the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
Adam has also held leadership roles within the former DSE’s Office of Water and as a Commonwealth
Government policy and legal adviser in transport, communications and the arts.
Greg Wilson was Secretary of the former DSE from 1 July 2012 to 12 April 2013.
James Flintoft
Deputy Secretary Agriculture Productivity
James Flintoft was appointed Deputy Secretary for Agriculture Productivity on 6 May 2013.
James has substantial experience in leadership roles in both the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments.
His previous leadership roles include Deputy Secretary at Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry,
Chair of the Commonwealth’s emergency taskforce on Live Animal Exports and First Assistant Secretary,
Strategic Policy and Delivery Division, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Before joining the public service, James held senior roles at ANZ Bank and McKinsey and Company. He has
worked and lived in Asia, Europe and the USA.
James has a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Science from the University of Melbourne and a MBA from the
Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania in the USA.
Dr Bruce Kefford was Deputy Secretary Agriculture Productivity in the former DPI from 1 July 2012 to
6 May 2013.
Bruce Thompson
Deputy Secretary Corporate Services
Bruce Thompson was appointed Deputy Secretary for Corporate Services on 6 May 2013.
Bruce has many years of executive experience in the public sector in Victoria and Queensland, including
significant contributions to corporate service innovations within the former DSE.
Before his current role, Bruce was Chief Information Officer and the Director, Spatial Information Infrastructure in
the former DSE.
Dr Gillian Sparkes was Deputy Secretary, Corporate and Business Services in the former DSE from 1 July 2012
to 29 May 2013.
Paul Smith
Deputy Secretary Land, Fire and Environment
Paul Smith was appointed Deputy Secretary for Land, Fire and Environment on 6 May 2013.
Paul has broad executive experience in using partnerships to deliver results and in driving major reform in land,
fire and environment.
Before acting as the Deputy Secretary Environment and Natural Resources in the former DSE, Paul was
Executive Director, Environmental Policy and Climate Change Division.
Paul has built successful relationships with the department’s many environment and land portfolio partners and
with Victoria’s Networked Emergency Organisations. He also led the former DSE’s response to the Victorian
Bushfires Royal Commission.
Paul holds a Bachelor of Social Science and a PhD in Environmental Policy.
Dr Peter Appleford was Deputy Secretary Land and Fire from 1 July 2012 to 6 May 2013.
Bernie O’Sullivan
Deputy Secretary Regional Services
Bernie O’Sullivan was appointed Deputy Secretary for Regional Services on 6 May 2013.
Bernie has considerable leadership experience at a state and national level, including industry-based experience
in primary industries.
Previous leadership roles include General Manager of Agriculture for the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW,
Executive Director of a livestock commodity council in National Farmers’ Federation House in Canberra and
executive positions with the NSW Farmers’ Association.
In his most recent role as lead Regional Director and Regional Director Loddon Mallee for DPI, Bernie built strong
statewide relationships with stakeholders and established a new Regional Leadership Branch, aimed at
enhancing DPI’s engagement in country Victoria.
Bernie studied Agricultural Science at the University of Melbourne and a Master of Public Affairs at the University
of Sydney.
Tony Edgar was the General Manager Regional Services in the former DSE from 1 July 2012 to 6 May 2013.
Luke Wilson
Deputy Secretary Regulation and Compliance
Luke Wilson was appointed Deputy Secretary for Regulation and Compliance on 6 May 2013.
Luke has significant experience across agriculture and resource management; for many years he led policy
development on the key issues facing Victoria’s agriculture and forestry industries. His previous leadership roles
include work in energy, water and transport regulation in South Australia, in economic consulting with
PricewaterhouseCoopers, and in policy analysis with the Commonwealth Government. Luke has also worked as
an operational forester with Bowater Tissue Ltd in Myrtleford Victoria.
Before being appointed as Deputy Secretary, Luke was Executive Director for DPI’s Portfolio Services Division,
with responsibility for DPI’s communication, legal, audit and risk, regional and organisational development.
Deborah Peterson was the Deputy Secretary Regulation
and Compliance in the former DPI from 1 July 2012 to
6 May 2013.
Jane Doolan
Interim Deputy Secretary Water and Natural Resources
Jane Doolan was appointed as Interim Deputy Secretary for Water and Natural Resources on 6 May 2013.
Jane has extensive experience across the broader water portfolio, with more than 20 years of experience working
in environmental water management.
Jane has driven key policy initiatives in river health, environmental water allocations and catchment
management, both at the state and national level, most recently in the successful Murray-Darling Basin Plan
negotiations with the Commonwealth.
Before being appointed to her current position Jane was Deputy Secretary, Water in the former DSE and
Executive Director, Sustainable Water Environments.
Jane holds a PhD in Zoology from the University of Melbourne.
Our governance structure
The Secretary, as head of the department, is accountable to the Minister for Water and the Minister for
Environment and Climate Change for the overall governance of the department.
Until the Machinery of Government changes were announced in April 2013, the department’s corporate governance
arrangements included two principal governance committees:
• Senior Leadership Team – the Secretary (Chair) and Deputy Secretaries, General Manager Regional Services
and Director, Office of the Secretary met weekly as the department’s executive decision-making body,
providing the department with leadership and direction in pursuit of government priorities and commitments.
• Executive Management Team – the Secretary (Chair) and Deputy Secretaries, General Manager Regional
Services, Regional Directors, General Manager Capital Projects, Chief Finance Officer, Executive Director
Land Victoria and Director, Office of the Secretary met monthly as the principal governance group responsible
for oversight of the department’s strategic direction and performance, including ensuring legal and functional
responsibilities were met.
Following the Machinery of Government changes, a new executive decision-making body, the Senior Executive
Group comprising the Secretary (Chair) and the Deputy Secretaries was established and commenced meeting on
a weekly basis.
Accredited Purchasing Unit
The Accredited Purchasing Unit (APU) oversees the department’s purchasing policies and practices for general
goods and services through delegated powers assigned by the Victorian Government Purchasing Board. The
APU also oversees building and construction related procurement.
The APU meets fortnightly.
In 2012–13, APU members were:
Anthony Connelly Executive Director, Business Operations
(Chair)
Ian Ireson
(Deputy Chair)
Director, Land Registration Services
John Johnstone
(Deputy Chair)
Manager, Strategic Planning
and Projects
Michele FitzGerald Manager, Procurement Policy
and APU Support
Eleanora Georgiou Manager, Financial Reporting
Duncan Pendrigh Director, Land Division
Owen Swanton
Regional Services Manager,
Infrastructure and Procurement
Rema Rockwood
Chief Procurement Officer
(from 18 February 2013)
Risk and Audit Committee
The Risk and Audit Committee is an independent body established in accordance with the Standing Directions of
the Minister for Finance under the Financial Management Act 1994. It provides assurance to the Secretary that
the department’s risk and control environment is operating effectively and efficiently. The committee meets bimonthly
or as determined by the Chair.
In 2012–13, Risk and Audit Committee members were:
John Rundell
(Chair)
Independent member
Dennis Cavagna
Independent member
David Holden
Independent member
(until September 2012)
Rod Nelson
Independent member
(until September 2012)
Suzanne Evans
Independent member
(from September 2012)
Dr Peter Appleford Deputy Secretary, Land and Fire
(until May 2013)
Adam Fennessy
Deputy Secretary, Natural Resources
and Environment Policy (until April 2013)
Dr Gillian Sparkes Deputy Secretary, Corporate and
Business Services (until May 2013)
Kylie White
Executive Director, Biodiversity and
Ecosystem Services (until September
2012)
Mike Timpano
Regional Director Gippsland
(from September 2012)
Bruce Thompson
Deputy Secretary Corporate Services
(from May 2013)