Wet Tropics Management Authority Board of Directors
The Wet Tropics Management Authority’s Board of Directors is established under the Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993. Its primary role is to implement programs to meet Australia’s international obligation for the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area (the Area) under the World Heritage Convention.
The Board’s responsibilities include:
- overseeing WTMA’s functions as outlined in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993
- setting the objectives, strategic direction and policies, while ensuring WTMA operates effectively, efficiently and appropriately
- promoting the Area at local, regional, national and international levels, encouraging community involvement in its management
- respecting and incorporating the traditions of Aboriginal Peoples with a strong connection to the land within the Area.
The Board meets quarterly to review and guide the management of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.
Recent Board meeting minutes
Recent Board communique
For copies of previous minutes or communiques, please email wettropics@wtma.qld.gov.au and address your request to the Principal Advisor.
Structure
The Board is made up of seven directors. Six are voting members who serve on a part-time basis, while WTMA’s Executive Director is the seventh, non-voting member. The Board is accountable to both the Australian and Queensland Ministers for the Environment.
Board membership reflects a diverse range of expertise, including Indigenous knowledge, community engagement, governance, tourism, planning, and science, all of which are vital to the effective management of the Area.
Board of Directors
Ms Chrissy Grant—Chairperson*
Chrissy Grant is an Eastern Kuku Yalanji woman who has national and international experience working in issues of World Heritage, Indigenous Peoples, natural and cultural management and biological diversity. She is also currently the Chairperson and Foundation Member of the UNESCO’s International Indigenous Forum on World Heritage.
* term ended 30/09/2026—new Chairperson announcement pending.
Dr Sally Driml—Director*
Sally Driml has a strong background and experience in policy and economics applied to environmental management, eco-tourism and protected areas. She is currently an honorary senior lecturer and researcher at the University of Queensland. Sally has more than 30 years of varied experience researching and working across issues such as climate change, protected area management and tourism in the Wet Tropics region and other significant areas in Queensland and Australia. She has strong industry links and takes a proactive and collaborative approach. Sally is the chair of the Authority's Community Consultative Committee.
* term ended 30/09/2026—new Director announcement pending.
Mr William Enoch-Tranby—Director
William Enoch-Tranby, a Djabugay and Yidinji man, has more than a decade’s experience promoting the Wet Tropics nationally and internationally and has received multiple tourism industry awards for developing and delivering cultural tourism experiences. William has previous experience sitting on the Tourism Tropical North Queensland Indigenous Tourism Positioning Advisory Committee, the Tourism Tropical North Queensland Indigenous Steering Committee, the Queensland Rail First Nations Steering Committee and was the first Indigenous person inducted into the Queensland Young Tourism Leaders Program.
Ms Ailsa Lively—Director
Ailsa Lively is a widely respected Gunggandji woman with strong cultural connections to both the Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Areas. Ailsa has been involved in significant community development and leadership work with the Yarrabah community and is a skilled advocate for improved land management, tourism, health and social outcomes. She has broad experience across Indigenous organisations, local government and community initiatives, with strong governance and community leadership skills.
Mr Michael Nelson—Director
Michael Nelson has over 30 years’ experience in the tourism industry in tropical north Queensland. As the Managing Director of Pinnacle Tourism Marketing, Michael has supported many small and medium tourism enterprises. He has worked on Great Adventures Outer Reef and Island Cruises, Green Island Resort, and Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, where he led award-winning sales and marketing initiatives. Recognised for his contributions, Michael has received accolades such as the 2015 Australian Tourism Export Council Award for Most Significant Contribution by an Individual.
Ms Natassia 'Tash' Wheeler—Director
Tash Wheeler is the CEO of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, with 20 years’ experience in tourism leadership across Queensland. She has held key roles with Visit Moreton Bay and Tourism Whitsundays, and now champions sustainable growth, regional advocacy, and stakeholder engagement. Tash leads with a passion for community, conservation, and innovation. A proud mum and passionate Queenslander, she’s committed to shaping the State's visitor economy for a thriving, inclusive future.
Last updated: 13 Oct 2026