Australia’s largest rural water corporation, Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW), has appointed its first female managing director in its 30-year history.
Charmaine Quick will join the Victorian utility in February from Melbourne Water, where she oversees the delivery of water, sewerage, waterways and drainage services as executive general manager, service delivery.
Quick said one of her key achievements at Melbourne Water has been the development of an asset management strategy, which has made the business more efficient. She will bring this experience to GMW.
“It is an exciting time to join GMW, where there is a strong vision of transformation to a service-centric, efficient organisation,” she said.
In a statement, GMW said Quick, who was recognised as one of the top 50 women in Victoria’s public sector in 2017, is known for her ability to influence and drive change at an organisational level.
GMW Chair Diane James said Quick’s historic appointment comes at a time of change for the utility.
“The [Victorian] Minister for Water has set the key priority for our business as transforming to a new model that improves operations, keeps water prices low for customers and irrigators, and supports the future growth of the irrigation district across our region,” James said.
“Charmaine is the right person to lead this change.”
GMW manages about 70% of Victoria’s stored water resources, 50% of the state’s underground water supplies and Australia’s largest irrigation delivery network.
It is currently focused on delivering a $2 billion upgrade to the Goulburn-Murray region’s irrigation infrastructure.
