Transport Minister Dean Nalder today announced the appointment of an independent chair of the board for the soon-to-be established Southern Ports Authority.

Mr Nalder has appointed Roger Hussey as inaugural chair of the new board, and Neema Premji, who had been serving interim chair-elect, as deputy chair.

The Minister said the decision was based both on the best interests of each of the Bunbury, Albany and Esperance ports, as well as the successful amalgamation of the three ports’ individual authorities to form the new regionally-based Southern Ports Authority.

“It had been expressed, at a local community and stakeholder level, that the Southern Ports Authority had been perceived as a takeover rather than a true amalgamation of the three ports – which was never the intent,” he said.

“To overcome this local perception, the interim chair-elect and I have agreed for her to sit as the new board’s deputy chair in conjunction with an independent chair, who has the advantage of not being identified particularly with any of the existing port authorities.

“With the task of bringing three very different ports together under one board, Ms Premji’s wealth of experience will ensure continuity and corporate knowledge on the Southern Ports Authority board. This will be complemented by Mr Hussey’s demonstrated strategic planning business development skills and commercial acumen.

“I take this opportunity to thank Ms Premji for her valuable contribution and continuing support.

“I am confident that the new chair and deputy chair will provide the strong leadership required to implement the Southern Ports Authority and develop it into the strong and cohesive organisation required to drive a strategic direction for the region’s ports into the future.”