The Infrastructure SA Board is an independent board that combines the expertise of the private and public sectors and is charged with overseeing the development of SA’s major infrastructure plans. The Board is comprised of four private sector representatives and three ex-officio public sector members and reports directly to the Premier of South Australia.
Anthony F Shepherd AO, Chair
Tony is Chair of Infrastructure SA, Bingo Industries Limited, and the Entertainment Quarter. He is a Director of Enviropacific Pty Ltd, Racing NSW and Virgin Australia International Holdings Limited.
Tony has had an extensive career in Australia and overseas in the private and public sectors. He pioneered private infrastructure with projects such as the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, Melbourne City Link and East Link.
Tony was the inaugural Chair of WestConnex and oversaw the listing of Transurban, Transfield Services and Connect East. He was also President of the Business Council of Australia, Chair of Macquarie Specialised Asset Management, VenuesNSW, Snowy Hydro Limited 2.0, GWS Giants, the National Commission of Audit and ASTRA (the subscription TV Association).
Tony is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Patron of Infrastructure Partnerships Australia. Tony is also a life member of the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) and the Australian Football League (AFL).
This year Tony received the Outstanding Alumni Award from the University of Melbourne and in 2023 he became an Inductee in the Bradfield Hall of Fame.
In June 2012, Tony was named as an Officer of the Order of Australia.
Carolyn Hewson AO
Carolyn has had over 35 years’ experience in the financial sector. She was an Executive Director of Schroders Australia and remained on its board until she moved from executive work to non-executive roles in 1995.
Carolyn is currently serving on the Reserve Bank of Australia Board and is also a non-executive Director of CSL Limited.
Carolyn served as a Panel Member on the Federal Government's Financial System Inquiry and has been a director of various companies including, most recently, BHP Limited and, previously, AGL Limited, AMP Limited, CSR Limited, SA Water, the Economic Development Board of South Australia, Stockland Corporation and Westpac Banking Corporation.
Carolyn has always been very involved in the not-for-profit sector. Her current roles include Opportunity International and Impact 100 South Australia.
In 2009, she was made an Officer in the Order of Australia for her "services to the community, especially the YWCA, and to business".
Amanda Price-McGregor
Amanda is Managing Director and owner of urban planning and development advisory firm Green Light Planning Solutions. She has more than 25 years’ experience in land use planning, strategic planning, development approvals, infrastructure planning, project management, community engagement and project delivery.
Amanda has widespread experience across an array of portfolio areas as part of her urban and regional planning work, including housing and land development, tourism and hospitality, infrastructure planning, retail, recreation and sport and education in the building and construction industry in South Australia and nationally.
An experienced board and panel member, Amanda has served on a variety of boards over several years including the Construction Industry Training Board, the Passenger Transport Advisory Board and the Stormwater Expert Panel and at the national level on the Australian Childhood Education Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) Board.
Amanda has considerable expertise in high level consulting, strategic thinking and planning, project planning, portfolio policy-making and project implementation.
Robert Rust
Robert has spent the majority of his 45-year career working on major projects across the full range of delivery models for both the private and public sectors, including several public–private partnerships in the economic and social infrastructure sectors.
Robert’s public sector work includes roles as the inaugural Chief Executive of Health Infrastructure NSW and the Chief Operating Officer of the WestConnex Delivery Authority in Sydney. His private sector work includes landmark projects such as the Sydney Harbour Tunnel and Melbourne CityLink. He has been Bid Director on several major projects and brings a strong commercial and technical focus to project development and delivery, with a successful background in claims resolution.
Robert is Chair of Inland Rail Pty Ltd and a Director of Reliance Rail. He also conducts assurance and dispute resolution work for various state governments on major projects, including chairing the Independent Dispute Avoidance and Resolution Panel for City and South-West Metro and the Joint Project Committee's across all 3 Metro's in Sydney.
Robert studied civil engineering at the University of South Australia and obtained an MBA from the University of Technology Sydney. He is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Rick Persse AM
Rick was appointed as Chief Executive to the Department for Treasury and Finance in April 2022.
Rick joins the Department after a successful six (6) successful years as Chief Executive of the Department for Education and four (4) years prior to that, as Chief Executive for the Attorney-General’s Department.
With expertise in policy and strategy development, change management, public sector reform and project delivery, Rick’s knowledge of public administration was gained from an expansive career working at a variety of South Australian central government agencies at an executive level.
Prior to being appointed to the role of Chief Executive, Attorney-General’s Department, Rick worked with government and non-government clients as PricewaterhouseCoopers, SA Government and Health Leader.
Rick has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Adelaide and a Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management from Griffith University.
Rick was recently awarded with a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division for significant service to public administration and to the community of South Australia.
David Reynolds PSM
In April 2024, David was announced as the Chief Executive of the newly created Department for Housing and Urban Development.
David is responsible for ensuring the delivery of the State Government's commitment to addressing the State's housing crisis by focusing on the delivery of services and policy that allow additional homes to be constructed as quickly as possible. David also develops strategy to ensure the management of the State's Planning System to support our growing population to maintain our lifestyle.
David has a demonstrated record of success in policy advice, financial management, and developing strong relations across government, industry, and community sector organisations.
David was the Chief Executive of the Department for Trade and Investment. He drove business investment in the State and facilitated trade in goods and services both interstate and internationally.
David was previously the Chief Executive of the Department of Treasury and Finance which included managing the state economy and budget through the global pandemic while continuing to invest in infrastructure and managing the State's credit rating.
David completed a Bachelor of Economics (Hons) from the University of Adelaide and in 2022, was awarded a Public Sector Medal for his outstanding contributions to economic and financial policy in South Australia. He is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and also a National Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia.
David is a passionate South Australian driven by helping to grow the South Australian economy through leading and collaborating within government and the private sector.
Damien Walker
Damien Walker was appointed Chief Executive of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet in April 2022. He is a proud South Australian, who has returned to the South Australian Public Sector following nearly 12 years in Queensland.
Damien is an experienced executive who has broad background in strategic planning, industry development and public policy. He was formerly Director-General of the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning in the Queensland Government. In his various Director-General roles, he drove economic growth and job creation and successfully led Queensland's delivery of the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Immediately prior to returning to South Australia, he led the Queensland Government’s flood recovery efforts.
His background also includes senior executive roles in the South Australian Government in infrastructure planning and delivery, investment facilitation, contract management and reform implementation, including working on the construction of the new Royal Adelaide Hospital, the Glenside campus redevelopment and the SAHMRI building. Damien has also served on a number of boards in the areas of economic development, trade and investment.
Above all, Damien is passionate about gender equity in the workplace and the prevention of domestic and family violence. He is also driven to deliver initiatives to create opportunities for First Nations people.
Damien holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Planning, and further academic qualifications in property and planning.
Damien is married to Tamara and has three young daughters.