About Us
The ACT Government has established the Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate to consolidate and build on its capacity to respond to climate change. The Australian Capital Territory is Australia’s Bush Capital and its natural environment is rich in content, from the landscape to the native vegetation and animals.
The Directorate has been established to:
- enable a dedicated and clear focus on meeting these challenges of climate change;
- help ensure that the ACT becomes a fully sustainable city and economy; and
- lead the Government’s achievement of its vision to become the solar capital.
The Directorate is a small and dynamic organisation responsible for developing and overseeing a range of nation-leading environmental polices and programs. We work with the Commonwealth and other jurisdictions to address climate change, environment protection and water and energy security. We also work closely with the entire community to address the impacts in our region.
Working with the Directorate will give you an opportunity to work with environmental experts in a range of fields. From technical officers working on water quality, and air, noise and soil pollution; to program and policy managers in the areas of natural resource management, biodiversity, wildlife protection, greenhouse gas abatement, energy and water security.
Our Directorate plays a critical role in delivering the government’s commitment to a sustainable future. Through this portfolio, the Government will provide the leadership required to address climate change, to stimulate the growth of the green economy, to encourage innovation and investment in renewable energy and to protect and conserve our environment and water resources. True triple bottom line analysis will underpin our work with all agencies so that outcomes in this area are coordinated and maximised.
To find out more about the work of our Directorate to date, view our Annual Report.
Our Vision
The ACT Government’s vision for Canberra is:
Canberra will be recognised throughout the world as a truly sustainable and creative city; as a community that is socially inclusive – acknowledging and supporting those who are vulnerable and in need and enabling all to reach their full potential; as a centre of economic growth and innovation; as the proud capital of the nation and home of its pre-eminent cultural institutions; as a place of great natural beauty.
Our Minister
Minister Simon Corbell MLA is the Minister with responsibility for the Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate, and is responsible for helping to tackle one of the biggest issues of the 21st Century. Minister Corbell has been a Minister in the Stanhope Government since its election.
Minister Corbell views climate change as the single largest issue confronting our community today.
| Key Staff of the Directorate | |
| Director-General | David Papps |
| Deputy Director-General Policy, Regulation & Services | Penny Farnsworth |
| Deputy Director-General Planning Policy | Ben Ponton |
| Executive Director Policy | Alan Traves |
| Executive Director Regulation & Services | John Meyer |
| Executive Planner City Planning | Chris Murray |
| Director Corporate | Adrian Walsh (ag) |
Organisation Chart 
(528.9 KB)
Postal Address
Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate
GPO Box 158
Canberra City ACT 2601
Street Address
Macarthur House
12 Wattle Street
Lyneham ACT
Contact Number
13 22 81
Facsimile Number
(02) 6207 6084
Email
environment@act.gov.au
