Infrastructure Australia’s newly appointed Chief Executive, Ms Romilly Madew, has been awarded an Order of Australia in recognition of her distinguished service to the construction sector as a change agent and advocate for sustainable building practices.

Infrastructure Australia Chair Julieanne Alroe said: “On behalf of Infrastructure Australia, I congratulate Romilly on her appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia. This award honours her remarkable contribution to Australia’s green building movement, and acknowledges the critical role she has played in supporting the delivery of more sustainable, productive and liveable communities around the country.

“In her 13 years as Chief Executive of the Green Building Council of Australia, Romilly has emerged as an energetic and visionary leader with a strong appreciation of the value in working collaboratively to achieve policy outcomes. These qualities will no doubt see her excel when she commences at Infrastructure Australia in coming months – taking the reins on an ambitious research and reform agenda and delivery of the next Australian Infrastructure Audit,” Ms Alroe said.

Ms Madew will begin her new role with Infrastructure Australia in April 2019. She has led the Green Building Council of Australia since 2006. Representing over 650 companies with a collective annual turnover of $40 billion, Ms Madew has presided over the Green Star rating system, which has seen more than 2,250 projects certified across the country.

She has also held Board positions with the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council, Sydney Olympic Park Authority and Chief Executive Women, and sat on numerous ministerial panels including the Cities Reference Group, National Urban Policy Forum and the China/Australia Services Sector Forum. 

Ms Madew’s achievements have previously been recognised with national and international awards, including the 2015 International Leadership Award from the US Green Building Council and the 2017 World Green Building Council Chairman’s Award.

An honorary fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia, Ms Madew has been named one of the ‘100 Women of Influence’ by the Australian Financial Review and Westpac, and is a national and New South Wales winner of the Telstra Business Women’s Award.