Chris Derksema, CEO of the Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA) was previously the Sustainability Director at the City of Sydney, leading them to become the first carbon neutral certified government organisation in Australia. He brings all of his sustainability bona fides to his role with GCWA, a statutory body responsible for the sustainable management of the Gold Coast's rivers, canals, lakes and dams. In this podcast we explore the critical balancing act between competing priorities: the development of the waterways and their infrastructure, which generate $600 million a year in economic and tourism activity; enhancing amenity and access for local communities; and the protection of these precious environmental assets - part of the very essence and soul of the Gold Coast.  

Chris leads the Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA) through place-based planning, delivery and management of marine and land-based infrastructure that improve access, connections and destinations for the Gold Coast waterways users and the community. Prior to joining GCWA, Chris was the Sustainability Director at the City of Sydney where he led them to become the first carbon neutral certified government organisation in Australia, implement decentralised energy and water grids, embed climate resilience into $8B asset portfolio and establish globally leading industry partnerships. Chris has an Environment Engineering degree and Executive MBA, and is a recipient of the Vincent Fairfax Leadership and Ethics Award.