FACILITATOR
MS CHERYL DESHA
University Lecturer and Environmental Engineer and Deputy Director of The Natural Edge Project
Griffith University
After graduating from Griffith University, Cheryl worked for consulting engineering firm Arup for four years, while undertaking placements within the Queensland Government (Sustainable Industries Division and Main Roads). In 2003 she joined ‘The Natural Edge Project’ (TNEP), a non-profit, sustainability think-tank, in formal collaboration with Griffith University as a lecturer in the School of Engineering. Together with TNEP, Cheryl has developed a range of projects focused on education and training for sustainable development, including working with universities, professional bodies, government agencies, companies, schools and touring international keynote speakers.
Since 2003, Cheryl has been the co-investigator for over $1.7 million of research grants and has co-authored a number of books.
PANELISTS
MR MANGO MU RPHY
Program Director, Major Infrastructure Projects Division
Department of Transport and Main Roads
Mango has been part of the Main Roads family since 1972 starting as a soil tester in Roma and progressed to a draftsman before completing his Engineering Degree as a mature age student in 1990.
After doing his Western Service as District Director in Roma in 2004, Mango returned to manage the “Poison Chalice – Ipswich Motorway”. He is the accountable officer for the planning, development and delivery of major SEQIPP projects in the western corridor, with an estimated investment of approximately $5bn over the next five years. Mango works with a small passionate team representing Main Roads in the Western Corridor.
MR JOHN JORDAN
Manager, Natural Environment and Sustainability Branch, City Planning and Sustainability Division
Brisbane City Council
John Jordan leads Brisbane City Council’s Natural Environment and Sustainability Branch. John’s responsibilities include delivery of Council’s CitySmart Program, the outcomes of which are maximising sustainability and reducing greenhouse emissions, recognising and protecting biodiversity, reducing impacts of pollution, managing waste and keeping the city clean and litter-free.
John is also responsible for Council’s Sub-tropical City – Parks and Recreation Program which manages Brisbane’s network of 2000 parks and conservation reserves.
Prior to joining Council, John held senior positions with the Queensland and Australian Governments. John holds a Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management from Flinders University, South Australia and a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Queensland. He is currently in the final stages of a Masters of Environment at Griffith University.
PROFESSOR DAVID HOOD
Chairman, Australian Green Infrastructure Council (AGIC), and Adjunct Professor
Faculty of Built Environment and Engineering, QUT
David, a civil and environmental engineer, has led the formation of AGIC, an industry association developing the world’s first full sustainability rating scheme for infrastructure.
David will discuss whether infrastructure which facilitates or encourages activities that may be damaging our earth systems could be regarded as sustainable. In addressing this question David will argue the difference between “sustainable infrastructure” and “infrastructure sustainability”. From an early career working on large infrastructure projects, David is passionate about sustainability and lectures extensively on climate change, its causes and impacts, and on how we must change, if we are to address the significant challenges now facing society.