Governance
The Copping Refuse Disposal Site Joint Authority was established as a Joint Authority in 2001 under the Local Government Act 1993. The Authority's objectives include the management and operation of the refuse disposal site at Copping in accordance with its Development Proposal & Environmental Management Plan and Permit conditions, and the provision, on or off the site, of other services and facilities that assist in achieving the organisation's goals.
Under the rules of the Joint Authority, members are required to manage the whole site by operating efficiently in accordance with sound commercial practice and environmentally sound principles to maximise the net worth of the Authority's assets.
Learn more about our operations and governance in our latest annual report.
Under the rules of the Joint Authority, members are required to manage the whole site by operating efficiently in accordance with sound commercial practice and environmentally sound principles to maximise the net worth of the Authority's assets.
Learn more about our operations and governance in our latest annual report.
The joint authority
The Authority consists of four Members appointed by Participating Councils, who may be either elected Councillors or Council employees:
In its governance, the Authority concentrates on:
- Clarence City Council: one Member entitled to exercise four votes
- Kingborough Council: one Member entitled to exercise two votes
- Sorell Council one Member entitled to exercise two votes
- Tasman Council one Member entitled to exercise one vote
In its governance, the Authority concentrates on:
- the periodic review of the performance of the Board and of individual Directors;
- the setting of the terms of office and the remuneration of Directors;
- setting the goals and objectives of the authority, reflected in the Strategic Plan;
- the approval of the Strategic Plan and the Business Plan and Budget; and
- representing the best interests of all Participating Councils.
Management
chief executive officer
The Chief Executive Officer is the senior staff member employed by the Authority.
The Chief Executive Officer is responsible to the Board Chair for the general administration and management of the Authority and, in particular, for the determination of the number of staff and the terms and conditions of employment, consistent with the approved budget. The CEO exercises all powers and functions delegated to him by the Board. He manages the staff of the Authority, and ensures the business and affairs of the Authority and the Board are managed in accordance with the Rules, with the Business Plan of the Authority, and with sound commercial practice. He provides advice, information and assistance to the Board.
The current Chief Executive Officer is Mr Chris Adekunle.
Chris comes to Southern Waste Solutions with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in waste management, both at operational and policy levels. His most recent position working as a Principal Advisor with Cleanaway Waste Management in Brisbane focussed on landfill site selection, energy from waste business case development; in-vessel composting solution development for Local Governments in Queensland, and various business development opportunities focussing on resource recovery and municipal waste management.
The Chief Executive Officer is responsible to the Board Chair for the general administration and management of the Authority and, in particular, for the determination of the number of staff and the terms and conditions of employment, consistent with the approved budget. The CEO exercises all powers and functions delegated to him by the Board. He manages the staff of the Authority, and ensures the business and affairs of the Authority and the Board are managed in accordance with the Rules, with the Business Plan of the Authority, and with sound commercial practice. He provides advice, information and assistance to the Board.
The current Chief Executive Officer is Mr Chris Adekunle.
Chris comes to Southern Waste Solutions with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in waste management, both at operational and policy levels. His most recent position working as a Principal Advisor with Cleanaway Waste Management in Brisbane focussed on landfill site selection, energy from waste business case development; in-vessel composting solution development for Local Governments in Queensland, and various business development opportunities focussing on resource recovery and municipal waste management.
Chris’s other roles have included Head of the Waste and Resource Recovery Services Branch of Brisbane City Council; Manager Waste and Environmental Operations for the Town of Port Headland; Principal Consultant Waste Solutions at Veolia; and various roles in Program Management in the UK governments Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. Chris has considerable experience in waste and resource recovery services, facility upgrades, design and construction of new infrastructure, kerbside collection services, working with in-house and outsourced operations, and contract management. His formal qualifications include a Bachelor of Science University of Greenwich (UK) and a Master of Science from the London School of Economics (UK).
Board
For day-to-day operations of the enterprise the Authority is assisted by a Board, trading as Southern Waste Solutions and appointed by the Authority at a general meeting.
The Board is responsible for ensuring that the business and affairs of the Authority are carried out in accordance with sound commercial practice, in a manner consistent with the approved Strategic and Business Plans of the Authority, and in accordance with all permits, licences and governing legislation. It is required to follow environmentally sound principles in its development and resource management activities.
Current Board Members:
Chair – Dr Christine Mucha
Dr Christine Mucha has extensive executive management experience in primary industries and water, including more than 14 years as Chief Executive Officer in the Tasmanian water industry. Christine holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science, Doctorate of Philosophy, post graduate Diploma in Agricultural Economics and has studied Advanced Management at Insead International School of Business Management, France. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Companion of Engineers Australia.
Christine’s expertise encompasses change management, organisational transition and growth, strategic and operational improvements and stakeholder management. She is currently Chair of Wellington Park Management Trust, an independent Director of Dial Before You Dig Victoria/Tasmania and a Director of Lifeline Tasmania. Christine was appointed Chair of the Southern Waste Solutions Board in March 2021.
The Board is responsible for ensuring that the business and affairs of the Authority are carried out in accordance with sound commercial practice, in a manner consistent with the approved Strategic and Business Plans of the Authority, and in accordance with all permits, licences and governing legislation. It is required to follow environmentally sound principles in its development and resource management activities.
Current Board Members:
Chair – Dr Christine Mucha
Dr Christine Mucha has extensive executive management experience in primary industries and water, including more than 14 years as Chief Executive Officer in the Tasmanian water industry. Christine holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science, Doctorate of Philosophy, post graduate Diploma in Agricultural Economics and has studied Advanced Management at Insead International School of Business Management, France. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Companion of Engineers Australia.
Christine’s expertise encompasses change management, organisational transition and growth, strategic and operational improvements and stakeholder management. She is currently Chair of Wellington Park Management Trust, an independent Director of Dial Before You Dig Victoria/Tasmania and a Director of Lifeline Tasmania. Christine was appointed Chair of the Southern Waste Solutions Board in March 2021.
Mr Frank Barta
Frank has a wealth of experience in finance and executive management, including more than 20 years’ experience as a non-executive director. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Tasmania and is a Fellow of CPA Australia as well as a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. With more than 30 years’ experience in Local Government, Frank has a sound understanding of issues in the waste management industry, the needs of customers, and operational and capital elements of the business.
Frank is currently a Board Member of the Tasmanian Community Fund, Deputy Chair of Huon Regional Care and Independent Chair of the Hobart City Council Audit and Risk Panel. He was formerly Corporate Treasurer of Clarence City Council and a non-executive Director of both Tasplan and Quadrant Superannuation, as well as having undertaken a range of voluntary roles in the not-for-profit sector and through professional bodies. Frank has been a Director of Southern Waste Solutions since March 2020.
Frank has a wealth of experience in finance and executive management, including more than 20 years’ experience as a non-executive director. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Tasmania and is a Fellow of CPA Australia as well as a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. With more than 30 years’ experience in Local Government, Frank has a sound understanding of issues in the waste management industry, the needs of customers, and operational and capital elements of the business.
Frank is currently a Board Member of the Tasmanian Community Fund, Deputy Chair of Huon Regional Care and Independent Chair of the Hobart City Council Audit and Risk Panel. He was formerly Corporate Treasurer of Clarence City Council and a non-executive Director of both Tasplan and Quadrant Superannuation, as well as having undertaken a range of voluntary roles in the not-for-profit sector and through professional bodies. Frank has been a Director of Southern Waste Solutions since March 2020.
Ms Elspeth Moroni
Elspeth has 30 years’ experience in strategic infrastructure planning, engineering and management, associated with a range of projects both locally and overseas. She holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil Engineering) from UTAS as well as a Graduate Diploma in Technology Management from Deakin University. Elspeth has extensive experience leading stakeholder engagement activities to ensure key issues are addressed and resolved as part of successful project delivery and she is committed to continually improving processes to ensure they meet current standards of best practice. She has consequently been involved with major changes to organisations alignment with international asset and risk management practices.
Elspeth is passionate about promoting careers in STEM, encouraging greater female participation in the engineering profession, and is actively involved with several professional organisations including Engineers Australia, Institute of Public Works Engineers Australasia, and the Australian Water Association, as well as being on the UTAS External Advisory Committee for the School of Engineering. She has been a Director of Southern Waste Solutions since March 2021.
Elspeth has 30 years’ experience in strategic infrastructure planning, engineering and management, associated with a range of projects both locally and overseas. She holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil Engineering) from UTAS as well as a Graduate Diploma in Technology Management from Deakin University. Elspeth has extensive experience leading stakeholder engagement activities to ensure key issues are addressed and resolved as part of successful project delivery and she is committed to continually improving processes to ensure they meet current standards of best practice. She has consequently been involved with major changes to organisations alignment with international asset and risk management practices.
Elspeth is passionate about promoting careers in STEM, encouraging greater female participation in the engineering profession, and is actively involved with several professional organisations including Engineers Australia, Institute of Public Works Engineers Australasia, and the Australian Water Association, as well as being on the UTAS External Advisory Committee for the School of Engineering. She has been a Director of Southern Waste Solutions since March 2021.
Mr Mike Hunnibell
Mike has more than 38 years’ experience in the electricity industry having held senior executive roles across a diverse range of portfolios, including 12 years’ experience as a non-executive director. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Power) and Master of Business Administration as well as being a Fellow of Engineers Australia and Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Mike has had considerable experience in mergers, having led the integration of two state-owned businesses following the state government’s decision to merge its transmission and distribution electricity networks. He provided advice on the new operating and resourcing model, as well as managing key stakeholder groups and the subsequent cultural and organisational changes to execute this significant body of work. He was formerly a non-executive director of the Australian Power Institute as well as Managing Director and owner of Hunnibell Consulting, providing engineering advice, asset management, project management, change management and organisational design services predominantly to the utilities sector.
Currently, Mike is Executive Director for Infrastructure Services and Development with the University of Tasmania, which includes responsibility for facilities management, project management and development services for new infrastructure investments, sustainability, campus services and student accommodation. Mike was appointed a Director of the Southern Waste Solutions Board in March 2020.
Mike has more than 38 years’ experience in the electricity industry having held senior executive roles across a diverse range of portfolios, including 12 years’ experience as a non-executive director. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Power) and Master of Business Administration as well as being a Fellow of Engineers Australia and Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Mike has had considerable experience in mergers, having led the integration of two state-owned businesses following the state government’s decision to merge its transmission and distribution electricity networks. He provided advice on the new operating and resourcing model, as well as managing key stakeholder groups and the subsequent cultural and organisational changes to execute this significant body of work. He was formerly a non-executive director of the Australian Power Institute as well as Managing Director and owner of Hunnibell Consulting, providing engineering advice, asset management, project management, change management and organisational design services predominantly to the utilities sector.
Currently, Mike is Executive Director for Infrastructure Services and Development with the University of Tasmania, which includes responsibility for facilities management, project management and development services for new infrastructure investments, sustainability, campus services and student accommodation. Mike was appointed a Director of the Southern Waste Solutions Board in March 2020.
Secretary – Ms Carolyn Pillans
Carolyn is a qualified Chartered Secretary and an experienced non-executive director, as well as having served as Chair and member of several board committees and audit panels. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Corporate Governance) and a Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance, as well as being a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia and Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She completed the Company Directors Course in 2007.
She has an extensive executive background across several industries and sectors, including local government and local government-owned authorities and corporations. Carolyn is currently a non-executive director of Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) and non-executive director and treasurer of Lifeline Tasmania. She has been an independent member of Sorell Council’s audit panel for two years and was recently appointed as its Chair. She has been Secretary of the Southern Waste Solutions Board since November 2019.
Contact The Board
PO Box 216
New Town TAS 7008
(03) 6273 9712
Email: secretary@swstas.com.au
Carolyn is a qualified Chartered Secretary and an experienced non-executive director, as well as having served as Chair and member of several board committees and audit panels. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Corporate Governance) and a Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance, as well as being a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia and Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She completed the Company Directors Course in 2007.
She has an extensive executive background across several industries and sectors, including local government and local government-owned authorities and corporations. Carolyn is currently a non-executive director of Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) and non-executive director and treasurer of Lifeline Tasmania. She has been an independent member of Sorell Council’s audit panel for two years and was recently appointed as its Chair. She has been Secretary of the Southern Waste Solutions Board since November 2019.
Contact The Board
PO Box 216
New Town TAS 7008
(03) 6273 9712
Email: secretary@swstas.com.au