BMT’s Dr. Philip Haines Appointed as Chairperson of the NSW Coastal Council

BMT’s Capability Director, Dr. Philip Haines, has been appointed as the Chairperson of the NSW Coastal Council by the NSW Minister of Environment. With a career spanning over 34 years in both New South Wales and Queensland, Dr. Haines brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this role.

Phil has dedicated his career to the sustainable management of coastal environments. As a consultant, he has provided strategic advice and written operational plans for a broad spectrum of clients, including local and state governments, industry groups, and private sector entities. His expertise is not only recognised in the field of environmental engineering but is also complemented by his extensive knowledge of land use planning, social science, biodiversity and conservation, economics, and disaster response planning.

The NSW Coastal Council is instrumental in shaping the future of our coastlines. It plays a crucial role by offering expert guidance in the development and execution of coastal management programs tailored for local councils. Moreover, the Council provides advice on coastal management issues directly to the Minister of the Environment and at the request of the minister, conducts performance audits to ensure these programs are implemented effectively.

Phil’s leadership at the Coastal Council is expected to drive continued advancements in the management of coastal and estuarine environments. Over the past three decades, Phil has been pivotal in developing the technical methodologies and the current risk-based approach to coastal management, as detailed in the NSW Coastal Management Manual. His work has consistently aimed at enhancing the robustness and sustainability of these crucial ecosystems.

Phil’s appointment as Chairperson not only highlights his substantial contributions to coastal management but also underscores BMT's ongoing commitment to innovative and sustainable solutions in environmental stewardship.

Phil says of his new appointment, “I look forward to helping NSW take new strides forward in  coastal management. Working closely with my Coastal Council colleagues, we will help to enable a more resilient, sustainable and thriving coast environment for future generations.”