The Victorian Government has announced the appointment of Mike Waller as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of the Office of Living Victoria, the body designed to drive urban water reform in the State.

“Mr Waller has extensive experience delivering major policy reforms, working on economic policy for the United Kingdom government and the National Competition policy for the Australian Government," State Water Minister Peter Walsh said.

“Most recently, Mr Waller was the previous chair of Sustainability Victoria and he has also worked extensively in the private sector, as Chief Economist for BHP Billiton and in his own successful consulting business.

Mr Waller said he considered it an honour to be taking up the position with OLV.

“I’m very pleased to be accepting this position. I’m passionately committed to ensuring that we keep Melbourne a liveable, sustainable, productive city and that water remains in the urban landscape,” Mr Waller said.

“I’m committed to working productively with the water authorities and urban planning sector to transition Victoria’s urban water services system in this exciting new direction. This is an important reform for all Victorians.”

Mr Walsh said there was important work ahead for Mr Waller and his team, including the assessment of 261 registrations for the State Government’s $50 million Living Victoria fund for Integrated Water Cycle Management (IWCM) projects.