Major transport and road infrastructure lobby group, Austroads has announced has announced it has appointed a new chair to its board, with the chief executive of South Australian Department for Infrastructure and Transport, Jon Whelan taking the role with Austroads
Whelan, was appointed as the new chair and is said to bring more than four decades of experience to the role.
According to Austroads, Whelan is highly regarded across the transport sector for his commitment to improving transport outcomes for the community.
The new Austroads chair began his career at a pavements laboratory in the then South Australian Highways Department and has since worked closely with Austroads throughout his career, including during its earlier years when it was known as NAASRA.
Whelan first joined the Austroads board in early 2025 and as CEO of the SA Department of infrastructure and transport and according to Austroads CEO, Dr Geoff Allan, he has overseen the design, delivery and maintenance of transport infrastructure across the state, including SA’s largest and most complex infrastructure project, the $AUD15.4-billion River Torrens to Darlington Project.
“He , and I am excited to work with him as chair. I believe Austroads will continue to deliver important work for our members under his leadership,” Allan added.
Whelan succeeds Louise McCormick, who stepped down from the position to take up a new role as the executive general manager of strategy, growth and development at the Northern Territory’s Department of chief minister and cabinet.
McCormick’s departure marks the end of a historic tenure as the first woman to lead the Austroads board.
Allan acknowledged the outstanding contribution of the outgoing chair.
“I am excited to see what Louise does in the future,” Allan said.
“She has had an immeasurably positive impact on Austroads, and we are very thankful for her leadership during her time as chair,” he concluded
