NSW EPA CEO takes on federal role

The NSW EPA has announced that its CEO Tony Chappel will depart the state’s independent regulator in September to take up a role as the new Chair and CEO at the Clean Energy Regulator.

The EPA said Chappel “oversaw a period of landmark regulatory reform and environmental stewardship which will have positive implications for the environment and communities for decades to come”.

Chappel oversaw multiple achievements at the EPA, which included:

• introducing the EPA’s 2023 Climate Change and Action Plan and supporting the NSW Government’s 2025 NSW Guide for Large Emitters;
• guiding the expansion of regulatory powers to prevent environmental harm, hold polluters to account and prosecute environmental criminals;
• leading the delivery of the nation’s first battery product stewardship scheme to reduce deadly fires;
• ensuring Aboriginal voices, cultures and knowledges are heard and acted on through the EPA’s Statement of Commitment to Aboriginal Peoples and Respect for Country reforms;
• rebuilding critical specialist and high-risk regulatory capabilities for the NSW EPA, to bolster frontline compliance activity.
   

“Tony Chappel has been at the forefront of efforts to regulate industry, reduce environmental harm and drive transformation in the circular economy,” said EPA Board Chair Carolyn Walsh. “He is a visionary and purpose-driven leader who has made a tangible difference to improving the lives of communities by holding polluters to account through landmark prosecutions and introducing state-changing stewardship programs.

“On behalf of the Board, we thank Tony for his service to the state and congratulate him on the exciting opportunity to deliver meaningful change in his new CEO and Chair role at the Clean Energy Regulator.

“We also thank Nancy Chang for stepping into the interim role of NSW EPA CEO. Prior to her current role in The Cabinet Office, Nancy was the Executive Director of Regulatory Policy, Initiatives and Advice at the EPA for close to five years and will provide stability for EPA staff, along with the existing strong leadership of the EPA’s executive team.”

Nancy Chang will commence in the interim CEO role on 14 September. The EPA said a formal Board recruitment process for a new CEO will begin shortly.

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