DR RICHARD SHELDRAKE TO TAKE ON VITAL ROLE AS DIRECTOR-GENERAL FOR PRIMARY INDUSTRIES

Dr Richard Sheldrake will lead the NSW Department of Primary Industries, Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner and Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson announced today.
“Richard Sheldrake is a fine man and an excellent public servant, and I am pleased he has agreed to take on the enhanced role of Director-General of the Department of Primary Industries,” Mr Stoner said.
“I look forward to his continued leadership in the NSW public service.
“He is the right man to take on this expanded role under the new O’Farrell/Stoner Government, providing guidance in the important areas of agriculture, fishing, aquaculture, forests and natural resources.”
Katrina Hodgkinson said the appointment of Dr Sheldrake bolsters the Department of Primary Industries and the NSW Government’s commitment to rural and regional NSW.
“This is further proof that the NSW Liberal & Nationals Government is about action when it comes to building a bright future for the Department of Primary Industries,” Minister Hodgkinson said.
“Our move to reinstate the Department of Primary Industries has been welcomed from one end of NSW to the other and now we have a high calibre Director-General to head up the Department.
“Since becoming Minister for Primary Industries, I have been impressed by Richard’s passion and professionalism and I am very pleased the Deputy Premier has asked him to head up my Department.
“Richard is widely respected by both sides of Parliament, the public service and also by the State’s primary industries sector.
“I congratulate Richard on his appointment and I look forward to working with him on the issues and opportunities facing our $9 billion primary industries sector.”
Dr Sheldrake has been part of the NSW public sector’s senior executive service since 1993, and has been Director-General of a number of NSW departments since 2002.
Dr Sheldrake’s passion for this area has seen him hold many positions including Commissioner of the Murray Darling Basin Commission, NSW Commissioner for Soil Conservation,
Director of the Pig Research and Development Corporation, Director of Animal Health Australia Limited, Chair of the Primary