The Reef & Rainforest Research Centre (RRRC) board and executive team are excited to announce Professor Allan Dale’s appointment to the organisation as Independent Chair. At the organisation’s recent AGM Prof. Allan Dale was unanimously voted in as the new Chair, replacing Dr Andrew Ash who served on the board for ten years with the last 4 years as Chair.

“Prof. Allan Dale brings with him many decades of experience and knowledge in the science and Tropical Regional Development space. Given his intimate knowledge of tropical environments and communities and the many challenges they face, our scientists and operations team are delighted to have such a depth of knowledge at the helm as we strive to solve those major environmental challenges as a nation.

“On behalf of everyone at the RRRC I would like to also publicly thank Dr Andrew Ash for his dedication and service to our board over the years, his contribution has been valued beyond measure,” said RRRC Managing Director, Sheriden Morris.

Prof. Allan Dale will oversee a diverse body of work across Australia carried out by teams of scientists, as they work to solve the biggest environmental issues facing our country across air, sea and land. He says:

“I have had a long association with the RRRC and I have always admired the large-scale social impact of its work. We are at a time in history when brave solutions need to be explored. I couldn’t be prouder to be part of an organisation that is courageous in its thinking and willing to be part of sweeping environmental solutions that also benefit our communities. It gives me great hope that collectively we can solve the environmental problems we face by bringing the best minds in the field to the table. I look forward to embracing sustainable regional development for our communities that support our way of life for future generations to come,” said Prof. Allan Dale.

Dr Allan Dale is a Professor of Tropical Regional Development at The Cairns Institute, James Cook University and Chief Scientist for the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA). Allan has a strong interest in integrated societ al governance, with a particular focus across the tropical world, Northern Australia and the Great Barrier Reef.

Allan works extensively with governments, regional and local communities on issues related to economic, social and indigenous development, water and natural resource management. Allan is Deputy Chair of the Premier’s Queensland Plan Ambassador Council. He was previously the Chair of Regional Development Australia Far North Queensland and Torres Strait (RDA FNQ&TS) and the ex-CEO of Terrain NRM.

Allan also has extensive experience in government-based policy and delivery in several natural resource management fields. He was Queensland’s first Social Impact Assessment regulator. He then took on the role of General Manager of Strategic Policy in the Department of Natural Resources and Mines. In between these roles, Allan worked as a Senior Scientist in CSIRO Tropical Crops and Pastures, establishing significant research in regional approaches to rangeland management. Allan’s original PhD studies explo red factors influencing the success or failure of Federally funded rural development projects in Indigenous communities in Cape York Peninsula.

Throughout his career, Allan has developed deep partnerships with most key industry sectors in Queensland, local government, the conservation movement and both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land and sea institutions. He has previously served as a Director on the RRRC Board prior to his appointment as Chair. Before studying Agricultural Science at the University of Queensland, Allan grew up at Trinity Beach, spending much of his spare time in the region’s reef and rainforest environments. With his partner Michele, he raised his family in both the Miriwinni and Speewah communities in the Wet Tropics. As a Far North Queenslander, he is deeply dedicated to the sustainable development of Northern Australia, as well as ensuring a strong relationship between our communities and our nearby Indo-Pacific neighbours.