From housing to water: Leader tapped for SA Water
One of the state’s most experienced public servants will lead a major government agency following the resignation of its previous boss.
Housing Infrastructure Minister Nick Champion has announced the appointment of David Reynolds as the new interim chief executive of SA Water.
The appointment follows the resignation of former chief David Ryan in September, who will finish his tenure at SA Water on December 3 to become chief executive of Urban Utilities in Queensland.
Reynolds has more than three decades of senior leadership experience across the government sector, including as the current chief executive of the Department of Housing and Urban Development where he oversees the government’s housing agendas.
He will serve in the interim role until the inaugural chief executive of the new SA Gas and Water Trust, which will be in charge of the government-owned corporation SA Water and the state’s Strategic Gas Reserve, is appointed.
In March, the state government announced that SA Water, which controls the state’s water and sewerage network, would be de-corporatised and brought under the Gas and Water Trust.
The new Trust would ensure South Australian gas currently being exported would instead be used by local industry, according to the state government.
Reynolds will be responsible for progressing work on the SA Gas and Water Trust as plans continue to consolidate industrial water projects, including the $5 billion desalination project Northern Water.
He has extensive experience leading government departments including as chief executive for the Department of Trade and Investment where he was responsible for attracting investment, and increasing exports into SA.
For more than 25 years, Reynolds held various positions for the Department of Treasury and Finance, including as chief executive, secretary, director of gambling policy, and executive director of the state budget branch.
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“SA Water’s work is critical to the state’s housing effort. My role will be to provide stability and continuity so that work keeps moving without interruption,” Reynolds said.
“I look forward to working with the board, our people and our customers as we progress the establishment of the SA Gas and Water Trust and set the organisation up for its next chapter.”
Champion thanked Reynolds for taking on the role while the state government continues its search for a permanent chief.
“David Reynolds is one of South Australia’s most trusted and accomplished public servants. I’m delighted he has agreed to lead SA Water through this transition,” he said.
“SA Water’s network expansion is a critical component of our plan to build more homes. Few people understand the housing pipeline better than David.”
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