Draft:John T Cotter
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Comment: In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest policy, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. Madeline.simmonds90 (talk) 10:22, 16 June 2025 (UTC)
John Cotter (Australian infrastructure executive)
[edit]John Cotter is an Australian infrastructure strategist, business executive, and company director, known for his work in large-scale infrastructure, mining, water security, energy transition, regional development, medical research, and philanthropy.
Early life and education
[edit]John Thomas Cotter was born in Goomeri, Queensland, near Cherbourg, and grew up in rural Australia. His upbringing provided early exposure to Indigenous communities and agricultural life, which would later influence his professional focus.
He attended St Joseph’s Nudgee College in Brisbane.
Cotter holds a Bachelor of Regional and Town Planning (BRTP) from the University of Queensland, a Master of Applied Finance (MAppFin) from Kaplan Professional, and has completed executive leadership programs at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. He is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and a Fellow of the Institute of Managers and Leaders (FIML).
Career
[edit]Infrastructure and mining
[edit]John Cotter is the founder and Executive Chairman of North West Phosphate, which controls Australia's largest known phosphate reserve in the North West Minerals Province of Queensland. The project supplies phosphate to domestic agriculture and export markets, reducing Australia’s reliance on imported fertilizers. North West Phosphate has partnered with Sibanye Stillwater and repurposed legacy mining infrastructure.
Water security and utilities
[edit]Cotter founded the Flinders Group, delivering major national water security projects during Australia's millennium drought. His portfolio includes the Sugarloaf Pipeline (Victoria), Adelaide Desalination Plant (South Australia), and the ACT Water Security Program, including Cotter Dam enlargement, Googong augmentation, and Murrumbidgee to Googong transfer.
As Deputy Chair of Queensland Urban Utilities, he led major reforms to simplify water pricing structures across multiple council jurisdictions.
Energy transition
[edit]As Managing Director of Bowen River Utilities, Cotter is the founder of the Capricornia Renewable Energy Hub, a $4 billion project integrating pumped hydro storage, renewable generation, water security, and agriculture in regional Queensland.
Translational medical research
[edit]Cotter served as Deputy CEO of the Translational Research Institute (TRI), where he worked alongside Professor Carolyn Mountford (BRCA gene diagnostics) and Professor Ian Frazer (intellectual property reform). TRI focuses on translating research into clinical application.
Urban renewal
[edit]Cotter chaired the Fortitude Valley Economic Development Board, leading the renewal of Brisbane’s Brunswick Street Mall, improving safety, commerce, and community engagement.
Innovation in sustainable agriculture
[edit]Through North West Phosphate, Cotter has supported research collaborations with Griffith University into alternative nutrient delivery systems suited to Australian soils. This work focuses on modified rock phosphate, reducing runoff and enhancing soil performance.
Board memberships and governance
[edit]Cotter has served on multiple boards:
- Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland (RNA)
- Aboriginal Development Benefits Trust (ADBT)
- The Lady Bowen Trust
- Brisbane Powerhouse Arts Board (2015–2021)
Philanthropy
[edit]Cotter is a long-standing supporter of the Brisbane Festival, contributing as a major donor to the expansion of Queensland’s leading performing arts festival.
See also
[edit]- Infrastructure in Australia
- Northern Australia development
- Water security in Australia
- Translational medicine in Australia
—
References
[edit]Category:Australian business executives
Category:Australian infrastructure
Category:Australian water policy
Category:Australian agriculture
Category:Renewable energy in Australia
Category:Regional development in Australia
Category:Australian philanthropy
Category:Australian medical research
John Cotter (Australian infrastructure executive)
[edit]John Cotter is an Australian infrastructure strategist, business executive, and company director, known for his work in large-scale infrastructure, mining, water security, energy transition, regional development, medical research, and philanthropy.
Early life and education
[edit]Cotter was born in Goomeri, Queensland, near Cherbourg, and grew up in rural Australia. His upbringing provided early exposure to Indigenous communities and agricultural life, which would later influence his professional focus.
He attended St Joseph’s Nudgee College in Brisbane.
Cotter holds a Bachelor of Regional and Town Planning (BRTP) from the University of Queensland, a Master of Applied Finance (MAppFin) from Kaplan Professional, and has completed executive leadership programs at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. He is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and a Fellow of the Institute of Managers and Leaders (FIML).
Career
[edit]Infrastructure and mining
[edit]Cotter is the founder and Executive Chairman of North West Phosphate, which controls Australia's largest known phosphate reserve in the North West Minerals Province of Queensland. The project supplies phosphate to domestic agriculture and export markets, reducing Australia’s reliance on imported fertilizers. North West Phosphate has partnered with Sibanye Stillwater and repurposed legacy mining infrastructure.
Water security and utilities
[edit]Cotter founded the Flinders Group, delivering major national water security projects during Australia's millennium drought. His portfolio includes the Sugarloaf Pipeline (Victoria), Adelaide Desalination Plant (South Australia), and the ACT Water Security Program, including Cotter Dam enlargement, Googong augmentation, and Murrumbidgee to Googong transfer.
As Deputy Chair of Queensland Urban Utilities, he led major reforms to simplify water pricing structures across multiple council jurisdictions.
Energy transition
[edit]As Managing Director of Bowen River Utilities, Cotter leads the Capricornia Renewable Energy Hub, a $3.2 billion project integrating pumped hydro storage, renewable generation, water security, and agriculture in regional Queensland.
Translational medical research
[edit]Cotter served as Deputy CEO of the Translational Research Institute (TRI), where he worked alongside Professor Carolyn Mountford (BRCA gene diagnostics) and Professor Ian Frazer (intellectual property reform). TRI focuses on translating research into clinical application.
Urban renewal
[edit]Cotter chaired the Fortitude Valley Economic Development Board, leading the renewal of Brisbane’s Brunswick Street Mall, improving safety, commerce, and community engagement.
Innovation in sustainable agriculture
[edit]Through North West Phosphate, Cotter has supported research collaborations with Griffith University into alternative nutrient delivery systems suited to Australian soils. This work focuses on modified rock phosphate, reducing runoff and enhancing soil performance.
Board memberships and governance
[edit]Cotter has served on multiple boards:
- Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland (RNA)
- Aboriginal Development Benefits Trust (ADBT)
- The Lady Bowen Trust
- Brisbane Powerhouse Arts Board (2015–2021)
Philanthropy
[edit]Cotter is a long-standing supporter of the Brisbane Festival, contributing as a major donor to the expansion of Queensland’s leading performing arts festival.
Personal life
[edit]Cotter maintains ties to regional Queensland and Indigenous communities, particularly the Kalkadoon people of Mount Isa and the Indjilandji-Dhidhanu people of Camooweal.
See also
[edit]- Infrastructure in Australia
- Northern Australia development
- Water security in Australia
- Translational medicine in Australia