Commissioners and executive

Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte

HonFIEAus, FIEEE, FAA, FREng, FRS
Commissioner

Hugh is an internationally recognised scientist and a world authority on artificial intelligence and robotics. He is also the current NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer. Before this, Hugh was the Chief Scientific Advisor, United Kingdom Ministry of Defence. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of London, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Australian Academy of Sciences and recipient of numerous awards, including the MA Sargent Medal and NSW Scientist of the Year. Hugh has been Chair of the NSW Government’s Innovation and Productivity Council and head of National IT Australia.

Peter Cochrane

BSc, MPubPol
Assistant Commissioner

Peter chairs the National Benefit Advisory Committee of the Marine National Facility and the Australian Tropical Herbarium Board. He is a member of the Australian Heritage Council and a Councillor and Vice President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Peter was formerly CEO of Parks Australia, a member of the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder Review Panel, and a former chair of the Sydney Institute of Marine Science He co-chaired the Commonwealth Marine Reserves Review that re- examined the science and zoning for 40 marine reserves.

Susan Madden

B. Ag Eco (Hons) University medal
Assistant Commissioner

Susan brings over two decades of expertise in agriculture and natural resource management. She has held prominent leadership roles, including serving on the board of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority and as Chair of Central West Local Land Services. Currently, Susan is the Technical Director for Natural Resources and Agriculture at GHD Pty Ltd. Her previous roles include Executive Officer of Macquarie River Food and Fibre, reflecting her deep commitment to sustainable land and water stewardship.

Rene Woods

Rene Woods, a Nari Nari man from southwest New South Wales, Growing up on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River, he deeply understands the significance of land and water to his family, community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders way of life. With extensive involvement in Gayini (water) issues for Aboriginal people across Australia, Rene is a steadfast advocate for First Nations rights and interests. Currently, he is an Associate Professor of Practice in the Faculty of Science at the University of NSW, and a board member of the Murray Darling Basin Authority. Previously, he has been a member of the National Cultural Flows Research Committee (2013 to 2018), and a panel member for the Independent Panel for the Assessment of Social and Economic Conditions of Murray-Darling Basin communities.

Bryce Wilde

BA (Hons), ExecMPA
Executive Director

Bryce started his career working in the private sector as a researcher, facilitator and later as a management consultant of his own business. He has over 25 years experience working in the NSW Government, with the last 18 years at the Natural Resources Commission. Since 2012, Bryce has been the Executive Director leading the Commission’s team to provide robust evidence based advice and thought leadership across diverse areas, including catchment management, forestry, biodiversity conservation, water planning and biosecurity. Prior to joining the Commission, Bryce was a senior manager at the Department of Juvenile Justice, primarily in learning and development.