Sydney Desalination Plant has an efficient structure with a lean, expert management team that oversees the prudent operation and maintenance of the Plant and overall management of all assets, key stakeholder, investor and customer relationships, as well as compliance.
The Plant’s corporate structure consists of a small, high-performing management team including dedicated resources for ongoing finance, operations oversight, office administration, stakeholder management and regulatory support.
Philip Narezzi
Chief Executive Officer
Philip joined Sydney Desalination Plant in October 2016 as Chief Operating Officer and was appointed as Chief Executive Officer in March 2020.
Philip Narezzi
Chief Executive Officer
Executive leader with over 27 years of experience in the process and industrial industries working in the fields of executive management, regulation, engineering, technical support, project delivery, business improvement and corporate management.
Philip joined Sydney Desalination Plant in October 2016 as Chief Operating Officer and was appointed as Chief Executive Officer in March 2020.
Justin De Lorenzo
Chief Financial Officer
Justin has over 40 years of professional experience including 17 years as a CFO in the NSW energy industry. Prior to that, Justin headed up Strategic Planning at a major energy company based in Melbourne and was a Senior Manager at KPMG in the Corporate Finance business dealing with mergers and acquisitions, business valuations, and forensic accounting.
Justin has a Bachelor of Commerce, is a Chartered Accountant, Senior Fellow of FINSIA and is a Graduate member of the AICD.
Justin is SDP's joint Company Secretary.
Justin De Lorenzo
Chief Financial Officer
Justin joined Sydney Desalination Plant as Chief Financial Officer in April 2015. Prior to that, Justin was the Group Chief Financial Officer Networks NSW, the owner of the electricity distribution network in NSW.
Justin has over 40 years of professional experience including 17 years as a CFO in the NSW energy industry. Prior to that, Justin headed up Strategic Planning at a major energy company based in Melbourne and was a Senior Manager at KPMG in the Corporate Finance business dealing with mergers and acquisitions, business valuations, and forensic accounting.
Justin has a Bachelor of Commerce, is a Chartered Accountant, Senior Fellow of FINSIA and is a Graduate member of the AICD.
Justin is SDP's joint Company Secretary.
Mariela Southers
Office Manager
Mariela Southers
Office Manager
Mariela is an office administration professional with 37 years of experience working in Federal and State Government roles as well as private sector companies. During her career, Mariela has held roles in industries that included financial planning, the mining sector, WorkCover NSW and the Federal Court of Australia. This provided experience in all aspects of Office Management, Executive Assistance, Accounts Payable/Receivable, Customer Service and IT.
Matt Blaikie
General Manager Expansion Operations
Matt is a dedicated leader focused on the efficient integration of SDP’s operations and the Expansion project across multiple workstreams.
Matt Blaikie
General Manager Expansion Operations
Matt Blaikie is a Civil and Environmental Engineer with over 15 years of experience in the water industry in the fields of operations, maintenance, treatment process engineering, project delivery and contract management and negotiation.
Matt is a dedicated leader focused on the efficient integration of SDP’s operations and the Expansion project across multiple workstreams.
Iftekhar Omar
General Manager Strategy & Commercial
Iftekhar Omar
General Manager Strategy & Commercial
Ifty joined the Sydney Desalination Plant in August 2020, following an extensive career in regulatory economics. Prior to joining, he held senior roles at Ausgrid, Networks NSW, the Australian Energy Regulator and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. Ifty strives to deliver positive long-term outcomes for customers, the community and shareholders through robust analysis, planning, and authentic engagement.
llyas Mukhamadyarov
Group Financial Controller
Ilyas has a Bachelor of Business Administration (Econ) from Tashkent State Technical University and a Bachelor of Science (Applied Physics and Math) from the University of New England. He is also a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (UK).
Ilyas is SDP's joint Company Secretary.
llyas Mukhamadyarov
Group Financial Controller
Ilyas has a diverse experience in complex transactions, audit, and financial and management reporting. Prior to joining Sydney Desalination Plant in November 2021, Ilyas worked at Charter Hall Group for 14 years where he served as a financial controller for a number of listed and unlisted property funds.
Ilyas has a Bachelor of Business Administration (Econ) from Tashkent State Technical University and a Bachelor of Science (Applied Physics and Math) from the University of New England. He is also a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (UK).
Ilyas is SDP's joint Company Secretary.
Reece Karamihas
Acting General Manager Operations
Reece is currently managing operations of the Plant and Pipeline ensuring high quality drinking water is delivered has required.
Reece Karamihas
Acting General Manager Operations
Reece is a civil engineer with over 8 years of experience in the water and construction industry. Having joined the Sydney Desalination Plant team in 2017, Reece was involved in the Reinstatement and Restart of the plant.
Reece is currently managing operations of the Plant and Pipeline ensuring high quality drinking water is delivered has required.
Kurt Galpin
Expansion Technical Director
Kurt is focussed on leading SDP’s technical stream for the Expansion project
Kurt Galpin
Expansion Technical Director
Kurt is an Electrical and Mechatronic Engineer with over 15 years of experience in the Water Industry. He has a Diploma in Project Management and specialises in project development, contract management, asset management and ESG reporting and management.
Kurt is focussed on leading SDP’s technical stream for the Expansion project
Jen Ng
Finance Manager
Jen has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of NSW and is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), UK.
Jen Ng
Finance Manager
Jen has over nine years of experience working in the infrastructure and real estate sector. Commencing his career in Chartered Accounting, Jen worked with listed and private clients in the infrastructure and real estate sector on financial statement audits, IPO audits, and due diligence work of property acquisitions in his previous role with EY.
Jen has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of NSW and is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), UK.
John Duong
Financial Analyst
John has developed and maintained several large financial and economic infrastructure models during his time in consulting and NSW government. Additionally, John has experience working as a civil engineer.
John has a Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours) and a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) from the University of NSW.
John Duong
Financial Analyst
John is a financial analyst specialising in infrastructure assets.
John has developed and maintained several large financial and economic infrastructure models during his time in consulting and NSW government. Additionally, John has experience working as a civil engineer.
John has a Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours) and a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) from the University of NSW.
Macy Zou
Senior Accountant
Macy has a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) from the University of Technology, Sydney and is a member of the Association of Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) Australia.
Macy Zou
Senior Accountant
Macy has 12 years of experience working in both commercial and public accounting sectors who is highly proficient in a wide range of accounting principle, functions and systems across various industries including healthcare, retail, FMCG, financial services and real-estate.
Macy has a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) from the University of Technology, Sydney and is a member of the Association of Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) Australia.
Louise Tsang
Operations and Sustainability Coordinator
Louise actively participates in the operation team with a focus in the sustainability field and is actively involved in our ESG reporting and management.
Louise has a Bachelor of Science from the University of NSW, double majoring in Geography & Marine and Coastal Science.
Louise Tsang
Operations and Sustainability Coordinator
Louise joined the Sydney Desalination Plant in November 2022 and has a strong interest in the environmental field and its association with human society. She has strong analytical and problem-solving skills with knowledge in environmental reporting and management.
Louise actively participates in the operation team with a focus in the sustainability field and is actively involved in our ESG reporting and management.
Louise has a Bachelor of Science from the University of NSW, double majoring in Geography & Marine and Coastal Science.
Jeremy Myers
O&M Manager
Jeremy oversees the operations and maintenance of the plant and pipeline to ensure effective and efficient delivery of high quality drinking water.
Jeremy Myers
O&M Manager
Jeremy is a chemical and process engineer with more than 5 years’ experience in water supply operations. Having made the move over from New Zealand, Jeremy joined the team at the beginning of 2024.
Jeremy oversees the operations and maintenance of the plant and pipeline to ensure effective and efficient delivery of high quality drinking water.
Rumbidzai Shamhu
Capital Works Manager
The key focus of her role is to oversee the capital works program including providing guidance on project delivery and asset renewal plans.
Rumbidzai Shamhu
Capital Works Manager
Rumbi is an Industrial Engineer with nearly ten years of experience in systems design and project management. She holds an MBA with a specialization in project management and is dedicated to making meaningful contributions to the advancement of sustainable water and energy solutions.
The key focus of her role is to oversee the capital works program including providing guidance on project delivery and asset renewal plans.
Tuan Nguyen
Expansion Technical Manager
Tuan was heavily involved in the original construction and commissioning of the Plant, as well as the Restart of the Plant in 2019. He's currently focusing on the Expansion project as part of SDP's Technical team.
Tuan Nguyen
Expansion Technical Manager
Tuan is a Process Engineer with more than 15 years' experience in the water industry, specialising in the design, commissioning and operations of complex large-scale treatment plants.
Tuan was heavily involved in the original construction and commissioning of the Plant, as well as the Restart of the Plant in 2019. He's currently focusing on the Expansion project as part of SDP's Technical team.
Cameron Shields
Head of Regulation
Cameron is interested in customer centric regulation and solving complex commercial, strategic and regulatory challenges.
Cameron has a Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Finance from the University of Adelaide and has over 12 years' experience working in both the public and private sector.
Cameron Shields
Head of Regulation
Cameron joined the Sydney Desalination Plant as Head of Regulation in March 2024. Prior to joining, he held senior roles at ActewAGL/ Evoenergy and the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).
Cameron is interested in customer centric regulation and solving complex commercial, strategic and regulatory challenges.
Cameron has a Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Finance from the University of Adelaide and has over 12 years' experience working in both the public and private sector.
Ben Rocke
Project Cost Controller (Expansion)
Ben was intricately involved in the successful planning and delivery of Sydney Water’s Lifestream Transformation program as the team’s Program Finance lead.
Ben holds a Bachelor of Applied Finance and a Master of International Business, both from the University of South Australia.
Ben Rocke
Project Cost Controller (Expansion)
Ben is a Project Finance expert specialising in large-scale projects, with experience in various industries including IT, defence, financial services, engineering consulting and water.
Ben was intricately involved in the successful planning and delivery of Sydney Water’s Lifestream Transformation program as the team’s Program Finance lead.
Ben holds a Bachelor of Applied Finance and a Master of International Business, both from the University of South Australia.
Patricia McKenzie
Non-Executive Director and Chair
Patricia McKenzie
Non-Executive Director and Chair
Patricia is a highly experienced director of major energy and infrastructure companies, regulated and unregulated, in both private and government sectors, and in ehealth, chronic disease and disability service companies. Patricia has over 40 years’ involvement in the energy sector, particularly in businesses with complex operations, significant infrastructure, and major strategic and regulatory challenges. She participated in the design of the major market developments in gas and electricity over that period, administered as CEO the introduction of retail gas competition in NSW and ACT, and as a director and chair, has overseen the transformation of market entities in response to technological and regulatory change.
Patricia is currently Chair of AGL Energy Limited, one of Australia’s leading integrated energy companies, Chair of NSW Ports (owner of Port Botany and Port Kembla in NSW), and a director of The Housing Connection, which provides services to people with disabilities. She was previously a director of the APA Group; Chair of Essential Energy, Healthdirect Australia Limited, Diabetes Australia and Sunnyfield; and a director of the Australian Energy Market Operator, Transgrid, and Macquarie Generation. Patricia was CEO of Gas Market Company, the first self-regulated competitive energy market administrator in Australia, responsible for delivering the technology systems and business rules which introduced retail gas competition to NSW and the ACT.
Patricia holds a Bachelor of Law from the University of Sydney and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Patricia was appointed Chair of SDP on 1 July 2020.
Stefano Ghezzi
Non-Executive Director
Stefano Ghezzi
Non-Executive Director
Stefano Ghezzi joined Ontario Teachers' in 2017 and he is a member of the Asia Pacific Infrastructure and Natural Resources team.
Stefano helps to manage Ontario Teachers’ investments across the Asia-Pacific region and he has been involved in a number of transactions in the transportation, energy and utility space globally.
Prior to joining Ontario Teachers', Stefano worked in the infrastructure and energy group at Citigroup and in capital markets at Commerzbank in London.
Stefano holds a M.Sc. in Finance from Warwick Business School and a B.Sc. in Economics from Universita' Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan.
Adelle Howse
Non-Executive Director
Adelle Howse
Non-Executive Director
Adelle Howse joined the SDP board on 10 September 2020.
Adelle has extensive senior executive and non-executive experience in the infrastructure, energy and resources, construction, data centres, telecommunication and property sectors and is currently a Non-executive Director of Macquarie Telecom Group and Downer EDI Limited.
She was formerly the Chairman of the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute, and previously served on the Boards of Devine Group, Design Studio Group, Ventia, Nextgen Holdings and Manila North Tollroads Corporation. Dr Howse holds a Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Philosophy (Mathematics) from the University of Queensland, an executive MBA from IMD, Switzerland and a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance and Investment.
Adelle is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Colin Nicholson
PSM, Non-Executive Director
Colin Nicholson
PSM, Non-Executive Director
Colin Nicholson was appointed Director of the Sydney Desalination Plant Board in December 2014.
Colin has had a wide and varied career within the water industry for over 40 years, with extensive experience in design, construction, project and contract management, operations and change management. He has broad experience in public-private partnerships, including build own operate contracts, alliances and other forms of commercial out-sourcing. Colin also has specialist expertise in the area of drinking water quality and water treatment and has been an active contributor to the development of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
He held senior executive roles in Sydney Water Corporation for many years with an emphasis on Operations.
Colin holds a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) from Sydney University and a Master of Engineering Science (Public Health) from the University of NSW.
Ilan Sadeh
Non-Executive Director
Ilan Sadeh
Non-Executive Director
Ilan is a senior advisor to Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP) and has over 20 years of experience in investment, asset management and managing debt processes across multiple infrastructure asset classes.
Ilan currently serves on the boards of Spark Infrastructure, Victoria Power Networks, SA Power Networks, Sydney Desalination Plant and Connexa (New Zealand).
Prior to working with OTPP, Ilan was responsible for the transition of the Victorian Land Registry from the Victorian Government and led the Australian New Investments team at Hastings Funds Management.
Grace Tang
Non-Executive Director
Grace Tang
Non-Executive Director
Grace is a member of the Morrison investment team, with responsibility for overseeing UTA’s portfolio performance as well as asset management and new investment activities. She is currently a Non-Executive Director at Transgrid Asset Holdings.
Grace brings over 15 years’ experience in infrastructure investment. Prior to joining Morrison, Grace was a senior member of the investment team at QIC Global Infrastructure, with a focus on the transportation sector. She played a lead role in a number of successful acquisitions, including the Port of Melbourne and was responsible for the performance of several portfolio companies, including holding Board roles. Before QIC, she worked in corporate advisory at Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Gresham Partners, covering infrastructure clients, executing M&A, debt financing and equity capital market transactions. Grace holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) and a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of Queensland.
Cristina Cifuentes AM
Non-Executive Director
Cristina Cifuentes AM
Non-Executive Director
Cristina has over 35 years’ experience in senior executive and non-executive roles, in both the public and private sectors, across a range of areas including regulatory economics, infrastructure, energy, telecommunications, superannuation and investment management.
Most recently she was a Commissioner of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and a Board Member of the Australian Energy Regulator and was Australia’s delegate to the OECD Network of Economic Regulators. Prior to joining the ACCC, she was a Tribunal member of IPART NSW for over 10 years with expertise in water and energy.
She has held non-executive directorships on Hunter Water, NSW Treasury Corporation and First State Super Trustee Corporation.
In 2022 Cristina was awarded an Order of Australia (AM) in recognition of her services to economic regulation, and competition and consumer protection.
She holds a degree in Law (Hons) from the University of Technology Sydney and an Economics degree from the University of Sydney.
Rohit Rangarajan
Non-Executive Director
Rohit Rangarajan
Non-Executive Director
Rohit joined Morrison in 2018 and is a member of its Australia & New Zealand based investment team. At Morrison, Rohit is responsible for the ongoing management of existing portfolio businesses on behalf of multiple clients, as well as pursuing new investment opportunities. In addition to Sydney Desalination Plant, Rohit has been closely involved with managing selected Morrison investments within the digital infrastructure and transport infrastructure sectors.
Prior to joining Morrison, Rohit held roles in the Investment Banking division at Deutsche Bank Australia and the Group Strategy team at Qantas Group.
Rohit holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) from the University of New South Wales.
ESG rating
We are in the top 20 per cent of our peer group when it comes to ESG performance.
Find out more
Regulation
Our plant complies with a variety of regulations covering pricing, water quality and operations.
Find out moreFrequently Asked Questions
- Is the Sydney Desalination Plant operating?While the Plant was originally designed to operate only in times of drought, it has remained operational since 2019 to help address several storage dam water quality issues arising from bushfires, flooding and significant maintenance tasks in Sydney Water’s supply network.
The Sydney Desalination Plant’s WICA Network Operator’s Licence enables the Plant to remain operational, recognising that the Plant has always been, and will continue to be, an essential component of Sydney’s water management and an integral part of our city’s water-resilient future. - How much water does the Plant produce?The Plant can provide up to 15 per cent of Sydney’s average drinking water needs without any reliance on rainfall.
It treats, filters and re-mineralises seawater to produce up to 91.25 gigalitres per annum of high-quality drinking water.
Under our WICA Network Operator’s Licence, the Plant will operate on a “flexible full-time basis”, producing between about 20 gigalitres to 91.25 gigalitres every year. - What does desalinated water taste like?Sydney Desalination Plant water is treated to taste the same as Sydney’s other drinking water.
Like dam water, water from the desalination plant is treated to meet Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, which makes it among the best in the world. - Who owns the Plant?Sydney Desalination Plant is jointly owned by the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board and the Utilities Trust of Australia, which is managed by Morrison & Co. Find out more on our About Us page.
- Why is desalination important?The Sydney Desalination Plant is Sydney’s only major sources of non-rainfall dependent drinking water. It is one effective way of securing Sydney’s water supply against the effects of climate change and natural disasters and the increase in demand due to population growth, warmer weather and urban greening projects.
While the Plant was originally designed to respond to Australia’s severe millennium drought, recent experiences have demonstrated that drought is only one type of event that requires support from the Plant to ensure clean and safe drinking water for Greater Sydney.
The Plant has been a reliable drinking water supply during floods and bushfires, which caused water quality challenges from time to time in Sydney’s storage dams. - Where does the water go?The Plant can supply water to homes and businesses south of Sydney Harbour and as far west as Bankstown, as part of all their water supply.
Sydney Water uses a variety of water sources to supply customer needs. Where your water comes from depends on demand and where in Sydney you live.
If you live in the blue-shaded area on this map, you may receive water from the dams, the Sydney Desalination Plant or a combination of both. The Plant's water proportion will change throughout the day due to variations in supply and demand.
Everyone will benefit from desalination because it allows more water to be left in the dams, which means a more secure water supply for Sydney. - How much energy does the Plant use?The Sydney Desalination Plant requires roughly 38 megawatts at full production and is 100 per cent powered by renewable energy.
The average energy needed to provide drinking water to one household is about the same as the energy used to run a household fridge. - What’s the impact on the environment?Sydney Desalination Plant places a high priority on minimising any environmental impacts – both on land and in the water.
To support this, the Plant has put in place a world first stringent six-year marine environment monitoring program. The marine environment was monitored for three years before construction and three years after the Plant became operational. It demonstrated that the Plant has minimal effect on the marine environment.
On land, a third of the Plant site at Kurnell has been maintained as a conservation area. This area is protected, and native species of flora and fauna are regularly monitored. This includes a program to survey the numbers of grey-headed flying foxes and green and golden bell frogs in the area.