Natural resources pioneer dies

He is a former chief executive of the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority and played a pivotal role in its foundational years.

Rural born, Mr O’Kane understood the needs of the region’s agricultural base while appreciating a growing awareness for the environment, and had a reputation for working with people from a variety of backgrounds.

Former colleague Jeremy Gaylard, who worked with Mr O’Kane in the early days of the Salinity Program Advisory Council, said the Goulburn Valley had lost a powerful figure in natural resource management.

The region only recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Shepparton Irrigation Region Land and Water Management Plan, which Mr O’Kane oversaw amid growing community anxiety about rising watertables and salinity.

Mr O’Kane is survived by wife Marian, daughters Alannah and Bridget and three grandchildren.