New Board appointments come with plenty of tourism experience

Two new directors appointed to the Wet Tropics Management Authority’s (WTMA) board bring an understanding of tourism in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area (the Area). 

Natassia Wheeler and Michael Nelson were both appointed by the Governor in Council following nomination by the Queensland Minister for Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, the Honourable Andrew Powell. 

Ms Wheeler is CEO of Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC), the state's peak tourism body, and has strong tourism, leadership and governance experience.   

Mr Nelson is the Managing Director Pinnacle Tourism Marketing and has 30 years' local tourism experience in the Wet Tropics, including working with iconic tourism brands such as Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park and Green Island Resort. 

Chairperson of the WTMA Board, Ms Chrissy Grant said “We look forward to working closely with both our newly appointed directors." 

“We are especially excited with how they can contribute to the upcoming launch of our newly developed Wet Tropics World Heritage Guides program, which we hope will become a gold standard in presentation of our stunning and unique environment.” 

“Like the Great Barrier Reef, the Wet Tropics faces unprecedented challenges as climate change continues to impact the values that were identified as making us a UNESCO World Heritage site and an important economic driver for the region’s tourism industry,” Ms Grant said. 

WTMA’s Board of Directors is established under the Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993. The Board consists of seven directors, including an executive director, two directors are appointed by the Queensland Government, two are appointed by the Commonwealth Government and two are jointly appointed by both governments.  

Selection of directors is based on recommendations from an independent panel who advise Minister Powell. 

WTMA’s board key function is to meet Australia’s international obligations for the World Heritage Area under the World Heritage Convention. People are qualified for appointment as directors if they have qualifications or extensive experience in a field related to the Authority’s functions.  

Ms Wheeler and Mr Nelson have replaced outgoing directors, Ms Robin Clark, who has a substantial background in regional and environmental planning and Professor Williams, a rainforest ecologist with over 30 years’ field research experience on plant and animal species in the Wet Tropics.  

“The Board and WTMA thanks both Directors for their significant contributions,” Ms Grant said. 

Published: 02nd Jun 2025