Barry Carbon has stepped down from heading WA’s Waste Authority amid accusations his role with a private mining company conflicted with the duties of holding one of the state’s premier environment positions. Deputy chair Jan Grimoldby, who has a strong background in local government as a CEO for over 20 years, has assumed the role of acting chair, and expects “no significant changes in direction” for the group.

Carbon held the position of chair of the Waste Authority since its creation in May 2008. Prior to that he chaired the authority’s predecessor, the Waste Management Board, for another two years, and was also formerly chair of the state’s EPA.

But last November Carbon took on the chairman role for mining company Bauxite Resources, raising potential conflicts of interest with his government position. He told the West Australian newspaper he had chosen to retire from the board last Friday rather than get into a public debate on the conflict claims.

“I’ve never walked away from issues or fights in my life, but I just can’t be bothered,” he reportedly said.

Carbon’s political appointment to head the state’s waste body was made under the former state government, and he had caused a few stirs with the new political regime.

Last March Carbon gave evidence to an Upper House committee inquiry into municipal waste management that the Waste Authority had not been appropriately resourced. His frustrations with the process appeared in news headlines in June.

“The authority has no staff … So far despite significant negotiations and attempts over a nine-month period there are zero staff of the authority who are deemed to be officers of the Waste Authority,” he reportedly told the inquiry.

Carbon also publicly questioned Treasury modeling of the extra revenue expected from an increased landfill levy, suggesting the government has not accurately taken account of the reduced volumes likely when disposal costs jump up.

At least one of those issues has now been sorted, with Grimoldby telling Inside Waste five dedicated Office of the Waste Authority staff will soon be employed.

She also said the authority has “pretty well finalised” a revised draft Waste Management Plan for the state, which is expected to be released this month.

Pointing to several “runs on the board” scored under Carbon’s reign as chair, she said he “had carriage of the sometimes difficult and often complex job of establishing a new authority and managing the transition from an advisory board to an independent authority”.

“Many of you will be aware that this often difficult task has been achieved through Barry’s trademark dedication, determination and tenacity.

“Barry’s active public service career has spanned around 40 years. His involvement in developing innovative and inclusive waste minimisation and avoidance strategies for Western Australia will be one of the many legacies of his public service career.

“On behalf of my fellow Waste Authority members, I would like to acknowledge his enormous contribution during the past few years.”

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