Our people

Anthony Curro

 Anthony Curro, Senior Project Manager

Possessing a diverse background, Anthony brings a wealth of experience supporting private and corporate business, research organisations, universities, Local/State and Federal government and natural resource management companies in relation to agriculture and community health initiatives. 

Based in Townsville, Anthony joins the CRCNA team with a focus on water infrastructure, which includes prioritising, de-risking and brokering agricultural development across Northern Australia. Involving working across jurisdictions to improving water sustainability and provide a pathway for future development and improve the health and wellbeing of the north’s communities.

Themes of water storage and extraction, new water efficient cropping systems, new catchment scale development models, mobilising indigenous water resources and lifting human capacity and skills in the water sector will be a key consideration for Anthony.

Contact Anthony: a.curro@crcna.com.au

 

 

Sarah Docherty

 Sarah Docherty, Senior Project Manager

Sarah brings to the CRCNA more than a decade of project management and business development experience. 

A high-school mathematics and science teacher by trade, Sarah joins the CRCNA after working with North and West Remote Health in Mount Isa where she was responsible for overseeing the delivery and compliance of the service's Community, Aged and Disability programs and contracts.

Based in Mount Isa, Sarah is responsible for identifying and brokering new research collaborations across Northern Australia. As a Senior Project Manager, Sarah will also continue to support CRCNA project participants and stakeholders.

Contact Sarah: s.docherty@crcna.com.au

 

Dr Ian Biggs Queensland Project Manager

  Dr Ian Biggs, Senior Project Manager 

Working from the CRCNA’s head office in Townsville, Ian is responsible for identifying and brokering Queensland-focused research collaborations and RD&E ventures, which align with the CRCNA’s strategic investment plan.

After acquiring a PhD in crop physiology, Ian has gained extensive experience in developing and managing projects in all aspects of Research, Development, Extension and Adoption in agricultural science and industry development, gained while working in government research organisations, university, and agricultural consultancy.

As Queensland Project Manager, Ian will use his experience of research process and project management to work with stakeholders in all CRCNA’s focus areas to develop and support projects targeting northern Australia’s economy and community.

Contact Ian: i.biggs@crcna.com.au

 

Bel Carlson headshot

Belinda (Bel) Carlson, Creative Content 

Belinda is a passionate advocate for the sustainable development of Northern Australia. Prior to joining the CRCNA she worked for the Australian Government’s Office of Northern Australia where she led the coordination of the White Paper on Developing Northern Australia, and strategic communications and engagement to support economic policy outcomes.

Belinda was also a Senior Adviser with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in the Indigenous Affairs Group for the Arnhem Land and Groote Eylandt region as well as a Government Business Manager across Arnhem Land and the Southwest Gulf of the Northern Territory.

Belinda has a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Cultural Heritage, an Advanced Diploma in Interior Design and a Diploma in Aboriginal Interpreting. Belinda is a member of the Northern Territory Commonwealth Heads of Agency, Northern Territory Government ArtsNT advisory board, and the Developing Northern Australia Conference committee.

Contact Bel: b.carlson@crcna.com.au

 

 

Allan Dale

Professor Allan Dale, Chief Scientist

 As Chief Scientist, Allan’s extensive knowledge and experience across northern Australia informs and supports the strategic direction of science   within the CRCNA’s investment portfolio.

 Allan supports the CRCNA staff and CEO by overseeing and coordinating a range of projects with significant policy implications for the   development of northern Australia. These include projects associated with industry/sector situational analyses, de-risking landscapes for   investment, identifying priority investors in northern Australian agriculture, and work concerning the cost of freight, communications and energy in   the northern development context.

 Allan is a Professor of Tropical Regional Development at the Cairns Institute, James Cook University.

Contact Allan: enquiry@crcna.com.au