BRUCE TAPER

bruce.taper@kinesis.org

Bruce specialises in policy development and implementation, providing advice and developing tools to manage the breadth of sustainability issues including climate change, carbon and water management, for both public and private sector entities.

From August 2000 to December 2006, Bruce was Director Sustainability for the NSW Department of Planning where he conceived, led the development and delivered the Building Sustainability Index (BASIX). His engagement with both leading developers and industry associations and a range of senior government officials and Ministers has ensured Bruce a thorough knowledge of both this important sector of our economy and of public policy making.

As Director Sustainability, Bruce made a significant contribution to the NSW Greenhouse Plan and Metropolitan Water Strategy, and established and provided the executive support for the NSW Government’s Sustainability Advisory Council. Prior to leaving the public sector Bruce established the spatial planning framework and developed a prototype for an online metropolitan sustainability index (METRIX).

From February 1996 to July 2000, Bruce worked as a sustainability practitioner in local government, establishing Kogarah Council as a leader in urban renewal and environmental management. The Kogarah Town Square planning controls and re-development received international recognition for its integration of greenhouse gas reduction strategies and water cycle management.
Bruce won the Planning Institute of Australia’s 2005 National Award for Planning Excellence in the category of Urban Planning Achievement.
Before dedicating his professional career to sustainability, Bruce spent almost 10 years in the energy industry, starting as an apprentice electrician and graduating to designing and building sub-stations.
Bruce has a 1st Class Honours degree in Environmental Science from the University of Newcastle, with original research towards demonstrating that very large cuts to carbon dioxide emissions are technically, socially and economically achievable. Bruce is also a proud graduate of the Benevolent Society’s 2001 Sydney Leadership Program.