Leadership

Mr Peter Court 

Non-executive Chair (appointed 1 October 2025- 31 May 2029)

Peter is a master mariner and senior maritime executive with extensive experience across global shipping, offshore energy and port operations. He began his career at sea as a BHP Transport cadet, later serving on LNG carriers, bulk carriers, Antarctic support vessels and deep-water exploration ships, before moving into senior leadership roles in Australia’s offshore energy and maritime services sectors.

Peter has served as a marine pilot and as Chairman & Managing Director of Port Phillip Sea Pilots, and holds directorships with Offshore Specialist Ships Australia and Australian Overseas Marine. In 2020, he founded Court Marine Consultancy, advocating for a stronger Australian-controlled maritime and shipping capability.

As Chair of Port of Townsville, Peter is committed to strengthening Australia’s maritime resilience while ensuring the port continues to drive regional prosperity - supporting trade, enabling commerce, creating jobs and fostering sustainable community growth in Northern Queensland.

Ms Connie Navarro

Non-executive Director (appointed 1 October 2023 - 30 September 2027)
(Initial Appointment 1 October 2020 – 30 September 2023)

Connie is a legal practitioner with over 20 years’ experience in the legal industry.  Connie is a born and bred North Queenslander and an advocate for rural and regional development.  Connie is the Director of Connie Navarro Legal.

With extensive experience and expertise in the areas of commercial, property and business law, Connie has a particular focus on agribusiness, mining, energy and resources, infrastructure and major projects.

Connie holds a Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from James Cook University and is admitted in the High Court of Australia, Supreme Court of Queensland and Supreme Court of Northern Territory. Connie is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Ms Heidi Turner 

Non-executive Director (appointed 1 October 2025 - 31 May 2029)

Heidi is a business leader and community connector based in Townsville, with extensive experience in marketing, PR, and regional development. In 2009 she founded and ran a successful marketing agency, and since 2023 Heidi has been the CEO of the Townsville Chamber of Commerce. Heidi is known for being proactive, connecting and building strong networks, fostering collaboration, and driving growth for businesses across the region.

Ms Carla Polson

Non-executive Director (appointed 2 October 2025 - 31 May 2029)

Carla brings more than 20 years’ experience as a corporate lawyer, advising Boards, executive teams and financial institutions in Australia and New Zealand on complex, cross-border equity and debt capital markets transactions. Having worked at leading Australian and American law firms, Carla has advised across all sectors, including energy and resources, infrastructure, transport, financial services and technology.

Raised in Queensland, Carla is motivated by a strong sense of community and deeply committed to contributing to the State’s growth and connectivity.

Carla holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws from University of Queensland and is admitted in New York, the High Court of Australia and the Supreme Court of Queensland. Carla is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Mr Stephen Motti

Non-executive Director (appointed 2 October 2025 - 31 May 2029)

Stephen has over 30 years of experience in the town planning, development, and construction sector.

He has provided expert planning advice on diverse matters and contributed to the delivery of a number of significant projects across the North. He understands the capacity of the Region and is a passionate advocate for investment in it.

Stephen backs his City with longstanding contributions to professional and community organisations. This has included as a past President of the Townsville Chamber of Commerce, and service on Boards including the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, the Townsville Industrial Development Board and the Townsville Fire.

A qualified town planner who graduated from the University of New England (Australia), he is a Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) and of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD).

Mr Scott Stewart

Non-executive Director (appointed 2 October 2025 - 31 May 2029) 

Scott was a former Queensland politician. He served as the Labor member for Townsville in the Queensland Legislative Assembly from 2015 until his defeat in the 2024 state election.

Prior to politics, Scott was a high school principal and educator for almost 30 years and spent most of that time in the Townsville region. He was the principal of Pimlico State High School when he contested the seat of Townsville.

During his time in education, Scott established a boxing program, aimed at helping under-achieving indigenous students re-engage with schooling through sport.

During his time in politics, Scott served as the Chair of the Education and Tourism Parliamentary Committee overseeing several bills through parliament. In his second term in office, he served as Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

More recently, Scott served as the Minister for Resources and Critical Minerals in his third term in office. During that time he developed the Queensland Resource Industry Development Plan creating the vision for the resource sector of the next 30 years. Additionally, Scott developed the Critical Minerals Queensland Plan to help unlock the resource rich North West Minerals province of its critical minerals to the rest of the world.

Scott travelled to London, South Korea, Washington DC and New York on trade missions for the state government to enhance trade partnerships and create investment opportunities in the mining industry.

Scott holds a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Education in Leadership and Management from the Queensland University of Technology.

Mr Ben Kidston

Non-executive Director (appointed 2 October 2025 - 31 May 2029)

Ms Ranee Crosby

Chief Executive Officer

Ranee has more than 20 years' experience in the port and shipping industry. As CEO of Port of Townsville Limited, she has overall responsibility for the strategic leadership, direction and operation of the Ports of Townsville and Lucinda. 

Prior to her appointment as CEO, Ranee held a number of senior executive positions in commercial, planning, property and governance fields.  Born and raised in North Queensland, she has led, managed and advised on a number of major infrastructure investments and economic opportunities for the region and Northern Australia, and has a comprehensive understanding of port and supply chain operations.

Ranee holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) from James Cook University and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.  She sits on a number of boards and committees including Ports Australia and Townsville Enterprise Limited.

Ms Vikki Brown

General Manager People, Technology & Performance

Vikki Brown is a distinguished executive and serves as the General Manager of People, Technology, and Performance at the Port of Townsville. With a career spanning over two decades and encompassing both international and domestic experiences, Vikki brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to her role.

Having navigated diverse industries and cultural landscapes, Vikki's international experience has honed her strategic vision and global perspective. Her tenure at BHP, a global mining leader, saw her spearheading transformative initiatives across multiple continents, elevating functions to achieve top quartile performance on a global scale.

Backed by a Bachelor's degree in Organisational Learning and a Masters Degree in Global Business Administration, Vikki leverages her extensive knowledge and background to orchestrate operational excellence, driving innovation and growth. Her multifaceted skills in human resources, technology, business development, and transformation play a pivotal role in propelling the port towards its strategic goals, both domestically and on the global stage.

Mr David McLoughlin

General Manager Project Delivery

Dave has significant experience as a senior executive leading critical infrastructure teams in both Victoria and Queensland. He has worked extensively in operations, maintenance, engineering and asset management across aviation, communication, information technology and transportation fields. Dave is a strong believer in cross functional collaboration to achieve good sustainable outcomes for both the community and investors alike.  

Dave holds a Bachelor of Engineering Management (Hons) from the University of Lincoln, is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is a Fellow of both Engineers Australia and the Institute of Leadership and Management.

Mr Mark McNeil

General Manager Assets, Planning and Environment

Mark has over 20 years’ leadership experience in highly regulated environments for complex infrastructure assets; holding senior management roles in global projects, professional environmental/engineering service organisations and essential service providers.

Mark has worked in highly regulated and sensitive ecological environments including uranium mining in Kakadu National Park, long term effluent discharges into the Great Barrier Reef and Coal Seam Gas (CSG) extraction.

He has led the strategic direction and business plan execution of the asset management function for utilities infrastructure (civil, mechanical, electrical, process) for the Australia Pacific LNG project; several large municipalities and large-scale mining operations. Mark was part of the formation of the Safety Executive Group for the Victorian water industry which is accountable for developing strategies to unify the industry and achieve a safer work environment.

Mr Drew Penny

General Manager Customer, Operations and Safety

Appointed as General Manager of Operations in April 2018 and then to General Manager Customer, Operations and Safety in October 2019, Drew Penny brings a wealth of operational and leadership experience gained over 15 years in the mining industry to the Port of Townsville. Drew’s management experience covers various areas including operations & logistics, maintenance, projects, organisational change and commercial.  He believes in building collaborative relationships, driving process discipline and delivering safe successful outcomes for the business. 

Drew holds a Bachelor of Engineering – Mechatronics (Hons) from James Cook University.

Mr David Sibley

General Manager Strategy, Finance and Governance

David has extensive experience across financial and corporate management within government, profit and not-for-profit entities. He has been responsible for formulating and implementing long term strategic, operational, and financial plans; commercialising government service units, implementing major government reforms within agencies, and improving bottom line results in both non-profit and for-profit entities.

David holds a Bachelor of Commerce from James Cook University and is a Fellow of CPA Australia