Minister for Creative Industries Steve Dimopoulos announced on Thursday, the nine-member board for Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation (MAP Co) – the entity spearheading the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation project.

“This history-making and city-shaping project will elevate Melbourne as a global creative and cultural city,” Minister for Creative Industries Steve Dimopoulos said.

“I look forward to working with the board to bring our vision to life. The members bring together diverse skills and experience across finance, infrastructure, governance, First Peoples engagement, social equity and the creative industries.”

Among those appointed, Peter Konidaris, national managing partner for PwC’s Government, Health and Infrastructure business, responsible for managing the firm’s relationships with some of the largest organisations in Australia. His expertise brings people and clients together to help solve important issues facing Melbourne.

As a Client Lead Partner for PwC’s Victorian Government practice he works with public and private-sector clients to create smart, liveable and prosperous communities. His many hats include being a Fellow of the Tax Institute of Australia and a member of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. Mr Konidaris holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of Melbourne, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and is admitted as a Solicitor and Barrister at Law in Victoria. He is also the Director of the Committee for Melbourne board, The Marian and E.H. Flack Trust, and a Council Member for the Victorian Police Blue Ribbon Foundation.

Alongside eight other esteemed board members, he will oversee the precinct revamp which includes The Fox: NGV Contemporary, along with extensive refurbishment of Arts Centre Melbourne’s iconic State Theatre and the addition of new cafes, restaurants, and 18,000 square metres of new green public space.

MAP Co will also operate and manage Fed Square and when complete, connect the precinct, public space and shared services supporting NGV and Arts Centre.

The board is chaired by company director and chartered accountant James MacKenzie, chairperson of the Victorian Funds Management Corporation, the Suburban Rail Loop Authority Board and Slater & Gordon Lawyers. Mr MacKenzie chaired the Interim Melbourne Arts Precinct Board.

The MAP Co board members:

  • Peter Konidaris, national managing partner for PwC’s Government, Health and Infrastructure business
  • Paul Barker, member of the Victorian Arts Centre Trust and former chairperson of Fed Square Pty Ltd
  • Cath Bowtell, CEO of Industry Fund Services and Chair of the Royal Women’s Hospital Board
  • Aneetha de Silva, Managing Director Government for Aurecon Group
  • Belinda Duarte, CEO of Culture is Life and former co-chair of Reconciliation Victoria
  • Tony Ellwood AM, Director of the National Gallery of Victoria
  • Ari Suss, CEO of Fox Special Projects Group

Christine Wyatt, independent urban strategist and Deputy Chair of the Suburban Rail Loop Authority Board