The role of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer has two main responsibilities:
1) to foster and encourage a lively state innovation system, particularly by promoting productive links between business, the professions, universities and government
2) to provide independent advice on how to address difficult policy problems that involve engineering or science. Examples include coal seam gas, sea level rise, road tunnel air quality and coal dust emissions.
The NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer consults widely with academia, industry and government to ensure that knowledge and research can be adapted and used to benefit NSW.
In February 2018, inaugural NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer Professor Mary O'Kane commenced her appointment as the new Chair of the Planning Assessment Commission. Recruitment is currently underway for her successor.