CCMA announce catchment expert as new CEO

THE Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA) will soon have a new leader, with Dr Amber Clarke taking on the chief executive officer role from September.

Outgoing CEO John Riddleford will be handing over the reins at the completion of his contract next month and moving on to part-time international work.

Dr Clarke comes from the position of acting CEO at the East Gippsland CMA and has a deep understanding of CMA’s roles and responsibilities as well as working knowledge of how they operate.

She has also previously held positions as the director of waterway programs at the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action and worked with Victoria’s CMA’s, Melbourne Water and the Victorian Environmental Water Holder to oversee state policy, programs, investment, monitoring and reporting.

Dr Clarke said she was very much looking forward to her next chapter at Corangamite CMA.

“The opportunity to live and work in the Corangamite region is an exciting one, with its exceptional natural values, diverse ecosystems and dynamic communities and the challenges posed by a rapidly growing population, a changing climate and impacts on waterway and catchment health.”

Corangamite CMA chair Cath Jenkins said adding Dr Clarke’s expertise and knowledge to the organisation was a fantastic outcome.

“With 14 years’ experience in the Victorian government, Amber has overseen the development and implementation of significant policy frameworks and programs for waterway and catchment management, including securing major government investment in the sector.

“Amber has also dedicated herself to environmental science, having a PhD in freshwater ecology from Monash University studying biodiversity of macroinvertebrates in headwater stream networks.”