RTA Board

The RTA Board consists of the Chairperson and Directors and is appointed by the Governor in Council.

Board members bring a mix of experience and skill in industry, business and consumer issues.

The board provides ongoing support to the Queensland rental sector by establishing the RTA's strategic direction and corporate governance standards.

The Board's functions include:

establishing strategic priorities
ensuring the RTA carries out its functions under the Act and its statutory responsibilities
monitoring the RTA's performance and financial position
ensuring that significant business tasks are managed effectively
providing policy advice to the Minister for Communities and Housing, Minister for Digital Economy and Minister for the Arts

Paul Melville (Chair)

Paul Melville LLB, Solicitor

Paul Melville was appointed as a Director on 11 May 2017. He has over 15 years experience as a Director and Board member, currently working as joint Managing Director of Halcyon and a Board member of the Urban Development Institute of Australia.

Mr Melville has an extensive legal background, previously operating as a solicitor and senior partner within his own firm. He holds a Bachelor of Law from the Queensland University of Technology and was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland.

Sally Watson

Sally Watson BSocWk, MPubPolicy

Sally Watson was appointed as a Director on 1 November 2016. Ms Watson has extensive experience in working in housing and homelessness services across the public and not-for-profit sectors. Based in Far North Queensland, Ms Watson is a lecturer in social work at James Cook University in Cairns.

Previously, she was North Queensland Coordinator for the Tenants Union of Queensland and Executive Director of Homelessness Australia in Canberra. Ms Watson is Convenor of the Steering Committee of Tenants Queensland and a Board member of the North Queensland Women’s Legal Service.

Steve Ryan

Steve Ryan CertTeach, MAICD, MAIST

Steve Ryan was appointed as a Director on 1 November 2016 and is also the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee. Mr Ryan is an experienced Board member with over 40 years experience in strategic leadership, governance and service delivery.

He has worked across the public, union, superannuation and not-for-profit sectors. Mr Ryan was Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors and Board of Trustees at QSuper and a Board member of the Queensland Studies Authority’s Governing Body. He was president of the Queensland Teacher’s Union and was also an executive member of the Australian Education Union and the Queensland Council of Unions.

Janet Benson

Janet Benson MA (Public Sector Policy and Leadership)

Janet Benson was appointed as a Director on 11 May 2017. She is the former owner and principal of Bluemint Property Management and brings a comprehensive understanding of the Queensland property sector – in particular, residential property management.

Ms Benson has a background in the Queensland public sector, working as the Executive Director of the Human Service CEO Committee, and Executive Director of Homelessness Programs at the Department of Housing and Public Works.

She brings extensive knowledge of social housing, rental affordability and homelessness issues in Queensland. Ms Benson holds a Master of Arts (Public Sector Policy and Leadership) from Griffith University and is a licensed real estate agent in Queensland.

Christine Castley

Christine Castley Bachelor of Laws (LLB)

Christine Castley has served in multiple senior leadership roles across the Queensland Government, with significant experience in strategic policy, governance and service delivery.

She is currently Deputy Director General in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. Prior to this, Christine was Deputy Director-General, Housing, Homelessness and Sport in the Department of Housing and Public Works. In this role, Christine led major reform (including development of the Queensland Housing Strategy 2017–2027) and transformation of housing and homelessness services delivered by 1,500 staff, managing a $1.4 billion business and a $15 billion asset portfolio.

Christine holds a Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Arts, Postgraduate Diploma of Arts and Master of Public Administration from the University of Queensland.

Cara Walsh

Cara Walsh

Cara was appointed to the Board in September 2020. She has 20 years of experience working as a leader, in Silicon Valley, New York City, and here in Queensland. She has undertaken large digital transformations for RACQ, as well as the City of Brisbane. In the United States, Cara built customer-focused digital products for AT&T, McAfee, and Thompson Financial.

She believes in human-centric design and not technology-driven solutioning. Cara is Director of Cobble Hill Consulting, Chair of the Business Advisory Board for QUT's School of Advertising, Marketing and PR, an Activator with SheEO, and a Mentor for Women in Technology.

Damian Wright

Damian Wright

Damian Wright was appointed as a Director on 1 September 2020. He is a Chartered Accountant and has been working in the accounting profession for some 30 years. Damian is currently the Partner in Charge of Audit at BDO in Brisbane and provides services to a wide range of businesses, across a variety of industries.

Damian has held a number of Board positions and currently chairs Lives Lived Well Limited, a not for profit service provider in the Health Sector. Damian holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Queensland, is a Registered Company Auditor and an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia. Damian also has a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance and Investment from the Securities Institute of Australia (now FINSA).

Residential Tenancies Authority

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