Tim Fisher is NCEconomics’ General Manager, bringing a diverse and extensive background in public policy, water, conservation and natural resource management spanning three decades.
Tim joined NCE sister company, Alluvium in September 2020, leading climate change services across the company. Previously, Tim was Assistant Secretary, Farm Performance Branch in the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. He led the development of the Future Drought Fund, delivery of sustainable agriculture components of the National Landcare Program, and development of emergency assistance programs for farmers affected by 2018-19 north Queensland floods and 2019-20 bushfires.
Prior to this, Tim led the Murray Darling Basin Policy branch through a challenging period that spanned development of the Basin Plan and significant progress in its implementation. This role also covered Basin inter-governmental arrangements, water legislation and regulation and the 2015 Review of the Water Act 2007.
Tim served as Senior Adviser Water to the Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, in the Rudd-Gillard government. This period included settlement of the 2008 Inter-governmental Agreement on Murray-Darling Basin Reform, passage of key amendments to the Water Act 2007, establishment of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, and progress in recovery of water for the environment.
In previous roles, Tim worked as a Senior Consultant at Marsden Jacob Associates, as Manager Water & Catchments at the Environmental Protection Authority Victoria, and as Manager of the Australian Conservation Foundation’s Land and Water campaigns team. He also served six years as non-executive Director with the (former) Land and Water Australia research and development Corporation.
In 2001, Tim received a Centennial Medal for service in water conservation and salinity management.