Monash University

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Chris is a Professor of Practice at Monash University and is nationally recognized for his leadership in waterway and urban water management and for his contribution to establishing Melbourne as a world leader in water sensitive urban design. Prior to joining Monash University, he held roles as CEO of the Office of Living Victoria and General Manager at Melbourne Water which included direct responsibility for development services.

While at Melbourne Water Chris led the development of best practice environmental management standards for urban stormwater that have now been in place for 25 years. and he has since championed many of the planning reforms that have advance WSUD practice in Victoria.

Chris is a boundary spanner with a deep understanding of the value of water in our cities and a unique ability to connect research and practice for the benefit of communities and the environment.

His knowledge and experience is widely sought after by government and industry. He has chaired several Ministerial advisory committees that have led to significant planning and legislative reforms. and sat on advisory committees for Melbourne Water, Infrastructure Victoria, the Victorian Planning Authority and UDIA Victoria. He currently chairs an IWM Forum of 27 organisational leaders (CEOs and MDs) delivering the Victorian Government’s IWM framework in Melbourne and is a director of Barwon Water, servicing Victoria’s fastest growing region of Geelong.

In recognition of these achievements and his contribution to the sustainable development of cities over two decades, Chris received the Paul Jerome award from the Victorian Planning and Environmental Law Association in 2022