Members of the MPRA

The members of the MPRA are nominated by the Minister for the Environment and appointed by the Governor. The MPRA is a community-based body and members have a range of knowledge and experience or a particular function or vocational interest which is relevant to the functions of the MPRA.

Dr Tom Hatton - Chair (appointed December 2011)

Tom directs the CSIRO Wealth from Oceans Flagship, Australia's largest marine science portfolio. The research delivered under his leadership directly underpins the efficient and responsible development of offshore and coastal resources while ensuring the conservation of the environmental and social values associated with the marine environment. Tom has a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Natural Resources from Humboldt State University. Tom completed his doctorate in the College of Natural Resources at Utah State University. In 2008, Tom received the CSIRO Chairman's Medal and the Australian Public Service Medal for his contributions to the management of Australia's water resources.

Mr Christopher Doepel - Deputy Chair (appointed July 2006)

Chris holds the concurrent appointments of Dean of Business and Dean of Law at Notre Dame University in Fremantle. He is also Chair of the national college committees for the Schools of Business, Law and Arts & Sciences. Prior to undertaking these roles he was Dean of the Faculty of Law and Business at Murdoch University in Perth.  Before joining Murdoch University in early 2008 Mr Doepel was the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the National Native Title Tribunal.  He has extensive experience as a senior manager in public administration and in the formulation of policy advice to governments.  Mr Doepel has a Bachelor of Jurisprudence and a Bachelor of Laws and is an Associate Member of the Law Society of Western Australia and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management.  He was awarded a Public Service Medal (PSM) in the 2006 Australia Day Honours for his Native Title work.

Emeritus Winthrop Professor Diana Walker (appointed August 1997)

Diana is an Emeritus Professor at the Oceans Institute and School of Plant Biology at the University of Western Australia. She has a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Marine Biology from the University of Liverpool, Isle of Man, and a PhD from the University of York, England. Her research interests are in the ecology of seagrasses and macroalgae and she has published widely in the international literature on nutrient cycling and productivity by seagrasses and macroalgae in marine environments. She has supervised 24 PhD students and acted as a regular external examiner for Honours, Masters and PhD theses for a number of universities within and outside Australia. Diana was inaugural Chair of the Shark Bay World Heritage Property Scientific Advisory Committee and member of the Shark Bay World Heritage Property Community Consultative Committee, and has recently been re-appointed to the new combined World Heritage Committee.

Mr Kim Colero (appointed December 2002)

Kim is Managing Director and Principal Consultant at JK Colero Consulting. Kim has over 30 years experience in the commercial fishing industry. He is a past president of the Dongara Professional Fisherman's Association Inc., past Chair and Board Member of the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC), a past member of the Rock Lobster Industry Advisory Committee (RLIAC) and past committee member of the Fisheries Adjustment Scheme. Kim was appointed to the WAFIC Board in 2007 and was WAFIC Chair from 2009-2011.

Dr Kellie Pendoley (appointed December 2011)

Kellie has over 25 years experience as an environmental practitioner within the oil and gas and mining industries in Western Australia. Kellie holds a BSc in Environmental Science, an MSc in Oceanography (Chemical) and a PhD in Biology. Her PhD studies were on marine turtles and the environmental management of industrial activities in the north-west of Western Australia, centred on the Barrow Island, Lowendal Island and Montebello Island groups. She has participated in the environmental management of multiple large-scale oil and gas developments in WA, providing advice on all aspects of development from seismic programs through to exploration drilling, production drilling, oil spill contingency planning, dredging, onshore and offshore construction and plant operations.

Mr Jeff Cooper (appointed December 2011)

Jeff holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Fisheries) and has been actively involved in the aquaculture industry for the past 15 years. He is currently the Portfolio Manager for the Maritime/Marine/Aquaculture/Security portfolio at Kimberley Training Institute, responsible for developing and implementing innovative strategies for the future direction of the Broome Aquaculture Centre and the Broome Maritime Simulation Centre. Jeff is an avid recreational angler and is currently a committee member of the International Game Fish Association and past President of the Broome Fishing Club. 

Observers

The legislation requires that the Chief Executive Officers of other agencies with an interest in proceedings are notified of MPRA meetings. They (or their nominees) are entitled to attend meetings as observers. Representatives of the Departments of Fisheries, Industry and Resources, Planning and Infrastructure, Tourism WA and the Western Australian Museum regularly attend MPRA meetings.