Meet Alex Wendler, Chief Development Officer, Infrastructure and Place

Alex will lead the newly formed Development branch. He hopes to empower his team to work together to strengthen our public transport and precinct redevelopments even further.

What are you most looking forward to in your new role?

I’m excited about Transport’s future as a multi-modal agency that plans, develops and delivers integrated transport solutions for the benefit of customers and communities across the state. I’m looking forward to playing a part in that future by empowering a talented group of individuals to work together and develop projects that facilitate economic, social and environmental outcomes. I’m excited to strengthen public transport and reallocate public space towards pedestrians and cyclists.

What’s your biggest achievement to date?

After more than 15 years in the finance sector I joined the NSW public sector in 2016, where I have led large and innovative endeavours that leveraged private-sector expertise and financing capability for the benefit of the state.

One was the sale of 51% of the toll road network WestConnex, with the State Government retaining the remaining stake. This sale is the largest trade sale privatisation in Australia and it enabled the State Government to reinvest the proceeds into new infrastructure projects.

Another was working collaboratively with Macquarie Group on their proposal to develop and deliver an integrated Metro station at Martin Place. An unprecedented undertaking, the outcome will be a city-shaping station in the heart of the CBD. This project also drove innovation at other Metro stations.

What was your last job?

Before taking over the Development branch, I was the Executive Director, Placemaking and Real Estate, for a year. This was the first role in my career that did not centre on core infrastructure. Looking back, I can say I have never learned more in the space of a year. Place, its dimensions, its impact on wellbeing and its contribution to productivity and competitiveness is fascinating. Luckily, the city-changing precinct redevelopments at Sydney’s Central Station, Circular Quay and Redfern, are now part of the Development branch.