Inaugural TasWater Chief Executive Michael Brewster has announced he will step down. 

Mr Brewster will be stepping down following eight years of service, according to TasWater Board Chair Dr Stephen Gumley.

“Michael has provided extraordinary leadership and service to the water and sewerage sector in Tasmania,” Dr Gumley said. 

In 2013, following the largest economic reform undertaken in Tasmania, Mr Brewster was appointed TasWater CEO, leading the organisation and the transfer of over 600 staff and $2 billion in water and sewerage assets.   

“The reform was transformational for the state and since then, Michael has made a significant contribution to the industry,” Dr Gumley said. 

In 2016, Mr Brewster oversaw an ambitious multi‐million dollar plan to remove the remaining Public Health Alerts from water supplies in 24 regional towns across Tasmania. 

The completion of the 24glasses Regional Towns Water Supply Program in 2018, meant these customers received safe and reliable drinking water, many for the first time. 

“With a strong focus on safety, Michael has also led the organisation to deliver substantial capital investments to improve water and sewerage services around the state,” Dr Gumley said. 

“Under his direction, the team delivered a reduction in service interruptions and sewage spills, and improvements in water quality, service delivery and sewage compliance, to name a few,” Dr Gumley said. 

Dr Gumley credited Mr Brewster’s commitment to improving services for customers to his problem‐solving approach and commercial acumen. 

“In 2017, Michael and the Board played a significant role in successfully laying out the framework that underpinned the Memorandum of Understanding between Government, Councils and TasWater, cementing the future of the water and sewerage sector,” he said. 

“In 2019, he oversaw the establishment of TasWater’s Capital Delivery Office to build the capability and skills necessary to deliver its ambitious 10‐year, $1.8 billion capital works program.” 

“On behalf of the TasWater Board, I wish Michael all the best in his impending retirement and thank him for his outstanding leadership and commitment to the Tasmanian community,” Dr Gumley said. 

Mr Brewster will continue as TasWater’s CEO until February 2022. 

The Board has begun the process to appoint a new CEO and the position will be advertised shortly.