Meet Australian Water’s Directors
Australian Water’s Board of Directors are a diverse group of leaders and professionals that bring together a unique set of skills to all aspects of the funding and delivery of water infrastructure. Their knowledge and experience places Australian Water as a unique, locally owned leading water infrastructure service provider.
Michael Costa – Chairman
Michael was appointed Chairman of Australian Water in November 2011. Michael brings to Australian Water a wealth of infrastructure and economic expertise.
Michael was a Member of Legislative Council of New South Wales from 2001 to 2008. During this time his Ministerial portfolios included – Police, Transport, State Development, Roads, Economic Reform, Ports, Finance and Infrastructure. From 2005 to 2008 he was NSW Treasurer, Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for the Hunter.
Michael has also served as Secretary of the Labor Council of NSW, and held directorships of a number of organisations including Sydney Water Corporation, Workcover Authority NSW, State Rail Authority, and Pacific Power/Eraring.
John Rippon – Executive Director
John became Australian Water’s Chief Executive Officer in 1992. John was instrumental in structuring the early agreements and relationship between the private and public organisations that lead to one of Australia’s first public private partnerships.
In 1998 John became the Managing Director of Australian Water and has served as Chairman and is now an Executive Director. John has been responsible for the delivery of water infrastructure works to service some 35,000 residential lots and associated urban development, at a project cost of some $630 million. These works included Australia’s first and largest dual water reticulation system.
Nicholas Di Girolamo – Chief Executive Officer
Nick was appointed as a Director to Australian Water in 2005 and later became an executive Director in February 2007. He was appointed to the position of CEO of Australian Water in 2008. Nick in his role as CEO has responsibility for corporate strategy and has played a key role in developing innovative solutions to the economic and environmental issues surrounding water and its related infrastructure.
Prior to joining Australian Water Nick was the Managing Partner of one of Sydney’s leading law firms. Nick practiced extensively in the areas of commercial litigation, directors’ and officers’ liability and corporate governance. Nick is the current Chairman of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Sydney. Nick is also a Board Director of the European Australian Business Council and a member of the UNSW Facultly of Science Advisory Council.
Bill MacGregor Fraser – Executive Director
Bill has been involved in the Rouse Hill Infrastructure Project on a continuous and full time basis since 1991. Bill was appointed as an executive Director to Australian Water in 1999 and has been involved in all aspects of the funding and delivery of water infrastructure works.
Bill brings a wealth of technical and project managerial experience to the project. Prior to joining Australian Water Bill worked with GHD Pty Ltd and was involved in the project management and delivery of large projects including the Illawarra Electrification, the East Hills to Glenfield rail link and the concept development of the proposed Badgery’s Creek airport.
Greg Skehan – Non Executive Director
Greg was appointed as a Director to Australian Water in 2009 and provides advice in the areas of construction, corporate governance, insurance and other areas of commerce.
Greg is a practicing lawyer and began his career as a construction lawyer. He is very experienced in many aspects of the law particularly construction risk, insurance, commercial negotiation, litigation and alternative dispute resolution.
Greg was instrumental in setting up LutfiCBP in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and advises United Arab Emirates – Australia and other overseas clients on all aspects of risk management and commercial law.