The first CEO of Victoria’s new building agency, Cladding Safety Victoria, has been appointed by Planning Minister Richard Wynne.
Dan O’Brien was selected for the role and will lead the agency as it manages a $600 million funding package to ensure buildings with high-risk cladding are made safe and compliant.
“Dan O’Brien is a highly experienced chief executive and has the proven skills to lead Cladding Safety Victoria as it carries out vital work to make Victorian buildings safe,” Wynne said.
“Dangerous cladding is an international problem and Victoria is leading the world in responding to it – establishing Cladding Safety Victoria to oversee landmark investment to fix hundreds of high-risk buildings across the state.”
Establishing a dedicated cladding agency was a key recommendation of the Victorian Cladding Taskforce, which worked with the Victorian Building Authority to conduct a comprehensive cladding audit.
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O’Brien is experience in the public and private sector, having served as Chief Executive of Incolink and holding key executive roles at the National Australia Bank and Medibank Private.
He has also held senior roles in the Victorian and Federal governments, including Chief Executive of Regional Development Victoria and Deputy Secretary of the Department of Regional Development, Arts and Sports (Federal).
He was also Chief of Staff to Victorian Premier John Brumby and is currently a Director of VicTrack and the Brodies Law Foundation.
As CEO, O’Brien will report to VBA Chairman, Owen Donald, when he starts in the role this month.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the program is a world-first and would fix buildings most at risk to keep Victorians safe.
“Combustible cladding is a national problem and we want the Federal Government to be part of the solution here in Victoria,” he said.