Dr Paul Vogel AM – Chairperson
Dr Paul Vogel was appointed as the Chairperson of the NT EPA on 14 November 2016.
Now a non-executive board director and strategic consultant, Dr Vogel was Chairperson of Western Australia’s Environmental Protection Authority from 2007 to 2015.
Dr Vogel was also the inaugural Chief Executive and Chairperson of the South Australian EPA from 2002 to 2007 and prior to that held senior executive positions in the WA Departments of the Premier and Cabinet and Environmental Protection.
Dr Vogel has a PhD in chemistry from the University of WA and has extensive knowledge and experience across a broad range of environmental issues and sustainability, in organisational and regulatory reform and in the delivery of strategic environmental and business outcomes.
Dr Vogel is also Chair of the WA Marine Science Institution, Deputy Chair of CRC TiME – CRC on Transformations in Mining Economies and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He was appointed to the NT EPA on 1 January 2016.
Mr Colin Joseph (Joe) Woodward – Member
Mr Joe Woodward brings more than 35 years’ experience managing and advising on environmental regulation and approvals having worked in a variety of roles in the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority and its predecessor, the State Pollution Control Commission.
Mr Woodward has extensive experience in environmental management and regulation. As Deputy Director General of the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation he oversaw assessment and regulation of:
- air
- water
- noise
- waste
- chemicals
- radiation
- biodiversity
- threatened species and
- Aboriginal cultural heritage protection.
He has served as a Commissioner for the NSW Independent Planning Commission responsible for statutory assessments and determinations of state significant development proposals including mining, major industrial and urban developments.
Mr Woodward holds a Master of Engineering and Bachelor of Science. In 2009 he was awarded the Public Service Medal for Outstanding Contribution to the Environment in New South Wales.
Ms Samantha Nunan – Member
Ms Nunan is experienced in providing environmental regulatory and policy advice to industry and governments across multiple jurisdictions, including the Northern Territory.
Working in industry for many years, Ms Nunan has significant experience in participating in regulatory reviews and reform processes, predominantly as an industry participant, but also during her time in government.
During her time as a practising lawyer, Ms Nunan provided advice to businesses and statutory bodies relating to compliance frameworks and responses to environmental regulatory investigations.
Ms Nunan has had extensive exposure to environmental assessment processes, securing project approvals and the application of regulatory policies and legislation across a range of different industries, including resources, renewables, waste, agriculture and planning.
With this experience, Ms Nunan brings a good understanding of the existence of and the importance of overlapping interests in land and resources by various stakeholders including Traditional Owners, Government, Industry and broader communities.
Dr Rod Lukatelich – Member
Dr Rod Lukatelich has a Bachelor of Science (Hons) and a PhD from the University of Western Australia.
Dr Lukatelich has 28 years oil and gas industry experience and is now semi-retired, working as an environmental consultant. He has extensive experience in:
- environmental approvals and impact assessment
- wastewater treatment
- atmospheric emissions management and
- assessment and remediation of contaminated sites.
Previously, Dr Lukatelich held an academic position at the University of WA where his research included:
- studies on the impacts of eutrophication on algae and seagrasses in lakes and estuaries
- development of ecological models and
- the relationships between hydrodynamics and water quality in reservoirs, rivers and estuaries.
Dr Lukatelich has been:
- a Board Director of the Cooperative Research Centre on Contamination and Remediation of the Environment since its inception in 2005
- is a member of CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere Strategic Advisory Committee
- was Chairperson of the Great Australian Bight Research Program Management Committee and
- was a member of the Environmental Protection Authority of Western Australia between 2009 and 2014.
Mr Mark Coffey PSM GAICD – Ex. Officio Member
NT Planning Commission Chairperson
Over 4 decades in the Northern Territory, Mark Coffey has dedicated his career to supporting regionaland remote Australia, drawing on extensive experience across policing, government, and community leadership. As a senior executive in the Australian Public Service, he led Indigenous Affairs and the Office of Northern Australia, driving economic development initiatives across the north. He is adept at navigating the intersection of policy and service delivery, with a strong focus on community engagement.
Mark is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a recipient of the Public Service Medal, awarded in 2020 for his contributions.
Dr Gillian Sparkes AM - Member
Dr Sparkes has had a distinguished career working with industry, community and government to care for and protect our environment. Commencing her career as an industrial chemist, Dr Sparkes worked two decades in technical and operational roles in industry, including leadership roles with BHP Steel and Cleanaway, before senior public service. She has had senior roles with the Victorian and Commonwealth public service, including Deputy Secretary of the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment, Chair of Sustainability Victoria and was Victoria’s independent Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability for a decade, before joining NT EPA in July 2024. As Commissioner, Dr Sparkes led Victoria’s state of the environment and broader environmental reporting program and was a key advisor to the Departmental Secretary and Minister for Environment.
A non-executive director with over 20 years' experience, Dr Sparkes is also the Board Chair of FrontierSI (Spatial Information); Deputy Chair of the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation and a board member of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, Parks Victoria and the Industry Capability Network, Victoria.
Dr Sparkes holds a PhD in Applied Science (Chemistry) and a Master of Business Administration. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Victorian and National Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia.
Ms Tracey Wilson - Member
Ms Wilson is an experienced board member of 25 years. She is an advisor to government, business, and non-government organisations, providing services across Australasia focussing on:
- sustainable development
- stakeholder engagement
- systems thinking
- collective impact
- strategic planning
- policy and program evaluation.
Ms Wilson previously resided in Nhulunbuy and has extensive experience working with Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory and Queensland.
Ms Wilson is a Fellow of the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2), and a member of:
- Qld Electrical Safety Board
- Australian Institute of Company Directors
- International Association for Impact Assessment.
Ms Wilson holds a Master of Sustainable Development and through her consultancy has won several awards, including the Inaugural IAP2 UNESCO International Sustainable Development in Community Engagement Award and the IAP2 Core Values Awards Indigenous Project of the Year.