VEWH - Our Mission and Commissioners

Our mission

Vision

Water for healthy waterways valued by communities

Organisation mission

Our environment: We work with program partners to preserve and improve the environmental values and health of water ecosystems across Victoria through robust
decisions about water for the environment.

Our communities: We engage communities across Victoria about water for the environment and improve waterway uses that depend on environmental condition.

Our culture: We are aligned with our business direction, proud our performance and own a culture centred on collaboration, integrity, commitment and initiative.

We do this by preparing a seasonal watering plan each financial year. This scopes where, when, how and why environmental water can be used across Victoria's rivers, wetlands and floodplains.

See our annual report (PDF file - 979.2 KB) for details of the Victorian Environmental Water Holder's activities and financial performance. You can also read our corporate plan (PDF file -1.8 MB).

Reflections (PDF file - 11 MB) is published each year and explains the achievements of environmental watering across Victoria.

Commissioners

The Victorian Environmental Water Holder is comprised of a small team including an executive officer, planning and delivery, administration and communications staff.

It has four part-time Commissioners appointed by Governor in Council, upon recommendation of the Minister for Water.

Learn more about our Commissioners below:

VEWH Commissioners - Chris Chesterfield, Geoff Hocking, Rueben Berg and Denis Flett

Denis Flett (Chairperson)

Denis has extensive experience in the Australian water sector, in water engineering, management, leadership, governance and consulting.

He is foundation chief executive of Goulburn-Murray Water and a Victorian Commissioner on the former Murray-Darling Basin Commission. Denis has significant knowledge of Victorian river systems, particularly in northern Victoria.

Geoff Hocking (Deputy Chairperson)

Geoff has a strong management background in natural resources, public administration, community and organisational development.

He is currently a Director of the Gippsland Ports Board and a Director of the Gunai-Kurnai Traditional Owner Land Management Board. He was previously Chief Executive Officer of the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, where he developed significant knowledge of river systems in southern Victoria.

Geoff has held senior managerial positions at Gippsland Water, Latrobe Shire Council and the Australian Securities Commission.

Chris Chesterfield (Commissioner)

Chris has spent more than 25 years in the Victorian water industry, primarily in waterway management.

He has extensive experience in sustainable water resource and environmental water management as well as solid business management experience as General Manager Waterways Group at Melbourne Water. Chris is currently also Director, Strategic Engagement at the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities. He is Chair of the Yarra River Protection Ministerial Advisory Committee.

Rueben Berg (Commissioner)

Rueben is a Gunditjmara man and the founder and Managing Director of RJHB Consulting.

He is also a founder and director of Indigenous Architecture and Design Victoria. Rueben is a member on various boards including Westernport Water, National Trust of Australia (Victoria) Indigenous Advisory Board, Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute Advisory Board, and the Monash University Indigenous Advisory Council. He is also a founder and director of the Indigenous Ultimate Association and the Chair of the Ultimate Rules Sub-committee for the World Flying Disc Federation. He has a Bachelor of Architecture.