Mr McConville has been the chief executive officer of the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association since April 2019.
MDBA chair Sir Angus Houston said Mr McConville would bring a new perspective to the challenging and complex space of water management in the Murray-Darling Basin in the face of climate change.
“Mr McConville joins the MDBA at a critical time, as we keep one eye focused on overseeing the rollout of the basin plan, and another focused on better understanding how climate change will impact the basin’s rivers while supporting the basin and its communities to be future-ready,” Sir Angus said.
“With a comprehensive background in resource economics and financial management, Mr McConville has worked in senior corporate and management roles across agriculture, banking and natural resources.”
Mr McConville starts in the role on June 19 and replaces Phillip Glyde, who retired in December 2021.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Andrew Reynolds who has acted in the role and expertly steered the MDBA over the past 10 months,” Sir Angus said.
“I know Andrew will continue to make a significant contribution in his substantive role as executive director river management, and support Mr McConville as he transitions into the role.”
Sir Angus also welcomed Dr Jane Doolan to the MDBA’s seven-member governing body and the reappointment of Professor Stuart Bunn for another four-year term.
He said Dr Doolan was an eminent water specialist from Victoria who had extensive leadership experience in sustainable water resource and environmental management.
She was previously a commissioner with the National Water Commission and the Productivity Commission, Professorial Fellow in Natural Resource Governance at the University of Canberra and Deputy Secretary for Water in the Victorian Department of Environment and Primary Industries.
Sir Angus also thanked Joanna Hewitt whose term on the board has finished.
“Ms Hewitt has used her wealth of administrative experience, skill and judgment to ensure rigour and best practice has been applied to the authority’s responsibilities at all times. I am grateful to Joanna for her dedication over the past four years,“ he said.