City West Water
Maree Lang has been appointed as the inaugural Managing Director of new water corporation Greater Western Water, strengthening support for Western Water and City West Water customers and staff as the organisations prepare to integrate on 1 July 2021.
Ms Lang, who is currently Managing Director of City West Water, brings more than 23 years' experience to the position. She has previously held executive positions with Melbourne Water and Chemistry Australia (PACIA), and senior consulting roles.
The appointment followed a robust process by the Western Water and City West Water boards, overseen by the Greater Western Water Joint Transition Committee.
Western Water Chair, Andrew Cairns said Ms Lang’s appointment was a great outcome for Greater Western Water.
Maree Lang has been appointed as the inaugural Managing Director of new water corporation Greater Western Water
“Maree brings a wealth of experience and achievements to the role and will champion the culture and values that we know are important to our people and communities of the west.”
City West Water Chair, David Middleton said the announcement was an important integration milestone, providing stability ahead of 1 July.
“Continuing to put customers first is at the forefront of our decision making and actions during this time, as is giving staff as much certainty as we can during a period of change.
“Maree will now lead the future work of building on the great legacies of Western Water and City West Water as our people and communities transition smoothly into Greater Western Water.”
Ms Lang said it was a privilege to lead the creation of Victoria’s newest water corporation.
“Everyone at Western Water and City West Water will be part of Greater Western Water – it’s a unique opportunity to bring together our different experiences, backgrounds and skills to co-create a new organisation that reflects our equally diverse communities.”
Mr Cairns also acknowledged Western Water Managing Director Jeff Rigby, saying that since October’s integration announcement, he and Ms Lang had worked closely to position Greater Western Water for an exciting future.
“Jeff is committed to achieving a complete and successful integration, with both Maree and Jeff providing leadership through the transition period.”
Mr Rigby remains as Western Water’s Managing Director until 30 June 2021, when he will become part of the Greater Western Water’s executive leadership team. Ms Lang’s title will officially change on 1 July 2021, the Greater Western Water integration date.
About the Greater Western Water integration
The integration of Western Water and City West Water will bring together the best of both water corporations when they join to become Greater Western Water on 1 July 2021. The integration will deliver better service, more secure water availability, and reduce household water bills into the future for customers in Melbourne’s fast-growing outer west.
The integration will also see:
- all existing staff transferred to Greater Western Water – no job losses
- the Sunbury and Footscray offices and all depots retained, keeping jobs in the west
- $500,000 invested in planning upgrades to convert the Sunbury office into a COVIDSafe Greater Western Water hub, and
- an additional 50 staff based at Sunbury over the next three years, and a continued strong executive presence at the office.