The state government has selected Eve Drain to head up the Office of the Appeals Convenor after a seven-month recruitment process for Emma Gaunt’s replacement.


The state government has selected Eve Drain to head up the Office of the Appeals Convenor after a seven-month recruitment process for Emma Gaunt’s replacement.
Ms Gaunt vacated the role in early December after nearly nine years, and Department of Water and Environmental Regulation executive director Ed Schuller stepped up as acting appeals convenor in the interim.
The Office of the Appeals Convenor investigates public appeals against environmental decision making in WA independently of the DWER and the Environmental Protection Authority.
Environmental scientist Ms Drain has been appointed to lead the office for a three-year term starting in September and ending more than five years of service at BHP.
She joined the mining giant in 2019 as superintendent environment approvals before elevating to principal portfolio strategy and development, a role in which she led a team responsible for managing environmental approvals.
Ms Drain previously served a stint at BHP from 2013 to 2016 as senior adviser environmental approvals following one year as Fortescue Metals environmental specialist.
After her first stint at BHP, Ms Drain joined engineering firm Aurecon as environment and planning associate before reengaging with BHP in 2018 as a freelance consultant.
Mr Whitby said he welcomed Ms Drain’s appointment as environmental appeals convenor and thanked Mr Schuller for his service.
“Eve Drain is an outstanding individual and will provide stability and leadership to the Office of the Appeals Convenor,” he said.
“This independent office plays a role in giving the community confidence that major job-creating projects are environmentally sound.
“The appointment comes at an important time for the Cook Government, as we deliver former Environmental Protection Authority chair Dr Paul Vogel and planning expert David McFerran's recommendations to overhaul WA's environmental approvals system.
“I would like to thank the acting appeals convenor Ed Schuller for his steadfast leadership at what has been a critical period for the appeals office.”