Vern Newton is the Partner Investigator representing Hanson Construction Materials in the ARC Training Centre for Healing Country. His areas of expertise include working for several construction material and mining companies in senior roles encompassing Operations, Logistics, Budgeting, Strategic Planning, and Marketing within the Kimberley, Pilbara, South West, Goldfields and Metropolitan area of Western Australia and now also holds the role of National Property Manager.
Vern has been involved in driving sustainable policies within corporate organisations including developing an Energy Management Policy for a large Australian construction materials company, which resulted in the company being the first of its type to sign up for the Australian Greenhouse Challenge with the Federal Government.
Vern engages with research institutes to help achieve partnerships between industry and science so that a higher standard of restoration is achieved on the ground, resulting in several environmental awards (including two Golden Gecko Awards for Environmental Excellence). Additionally, Vern liaises with government (both Federal & State) and regulatory bodies regarding policy whilst promoting the benefits of restoration to ensure restoration principles are a key focus for government, industry, and science so that development occurs in a sustainable manner and net increases in habitat begin to occur.
Vern has also contributed to many publications and has been involved in sustainability discussion within many external organisations including currently being part of the executive for the West Australian Biodiversity Science Institute (WABSI) and the Society for Ecological Restoration Australasia (SERA).