An accomplished business executive and highly valued member of Boards in both the business and community sectors, Richard Ireland is ready to expand on his significant contributions to the advancement of the West Tamar, a region he knows is poised for sustainable development and rich with potential. 

Background 

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A technology graduate from Brunel University in the United Kingdom, Richard Ireland is the founder and former Managing Director of Hazard Systems, a successful manufacturer and exporter of electronic warning equipment. 

The company had its origins in South Africa in the 1970s and was later re-established by Richard Ireland in Launceston in the mid-1980s. The company won major national contracts and further expanded into world markets employing some 50 staff by 2003, winning Tasmanian Exporter of the Year, Premier’s Employer of the Year and Telstra Small Business Proprietor of the Year. Richard Ireland sold Hazard Systems in 2003, and the company still operates successfully today. 
My experience in manufacturing for mainland and overseas markets means I am particularly keen to resolve our export and freight issues."

Boards and Community 

Richard Ireland is a highly valued presence on the Boards of numerous northern Tasmanian associations in both the business and community sectors. 

He is past Vice President of Launceston Chamber of Commerce and past Chair of the Infrastructure Committee, initiating a number of major projects: 
  • Major review of Launceston's lack of success in winning convention business, resulting in the successfully lobbying for Business Events Tasmanian to employ a Launceston based consultant to facilitate regional marketing 
  • 'Virtual' development simulating the planning and building process for inner city living developments, resulting in changes to regulations 
  • Review of freight issues and investigation of the potential for a freight hub at Launceston Airport 
"I see the development of our small business sector and the facilitating of linked business and community initiatives as being central to the future success of northern Tasmania. 
For eight years Richard was Chairman of NRM North, overseeing the start of the Tamar Estuary & Esk Rivers program, a partnership between agencies managing the waterways which includes initiatives such as water quality improvement, a northern Tasmania storm water program and an ecosystem health assessment program. 

Richard  was also a founding member of Northern Tasmanian Development, which brings together eight Councils to facilitate and drive development. 

board roles 
  • Board member of Launceston Chamber of Commerce and member of its Governance and Finance Committee 
  • Founding member of the Northern Tasmania Regional Development Board (now NTD)
  • Former Board member of the Launceston Business Incubator
  • Former Chairman of NRM North 
  • Former Board member of Tresca Community House, Exeter

education 

Bachelor of Technology – Brunel University, London 
Pr Eng (retd) South Africa
CPEng (retd) Australia
AICD – Directors Course
AICD – Chairman’s Course

Family and Personal 

Richard and his wife Gill have two adult children, both of whom live and work here in Tasmania. 
He is the proud grandfather of four grand-daughters- Zoë, Annabelle, Florence and Eve.