Our executive leadership

John is a long-serving Queensland and Commonwealth public servant.

He graduated from the University of Queensland with Honours Degrees in Law and Public Administration.

After serving as a private solicitor, he joined with Queensland Department of Justice in 1984 in the Policy and Legislation Division. Subsequently, he served in senior roles in the Department of Justice, Department of Consumers Affairs and Department of Emergency Services.

He served as Deputy Director-General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet between 1996 and 1998. During that time, he acted as both Director-General and Coordinator-General on a number of occasions.

As a Member and Deputy President of the National Native Title Tribunal between 2000 and 2012 he mediated, arbitrated and negotiated native title claims and litigation throughout Australia.

Between 2012 and 2015 he was the Director-General of the Queensland Department of Justice and Attorney-General and then was Deputy President of the Commonwealth Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

He brings to the role of Director-General of the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning many years of experience in both the private and public sectors, particularly at senior executive level.

Gerard Coggan commenced as Queensland Coordinator-General in January 2024, and has the responsibility to lead the coordination and facilitation of Queensland's major infrastructure projects and drive sustainable development and economic growth across the state.

Mr Coggan has more than 25 years’ experience in infrastructure project management and consulting and has a demonstrated history of steering work through complex environmental sustainability and community engagement processes.

Prior to this role, he has worked in both the private and public sectors, most recently engaged as a General Manager at APA Group.

As an independent officer of the state reporting directly to the Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, the Coordinator-General is relied upon to drive and deliver economic opportunities for Queensland.

As the Coordinator-General, Mr Coggan plays a critical role in leveraging significant, wide-ranging regulatory powers to plan, deliver and coordinate large-scale projects, while ensuring their environmental and social impacts are properly managed.

Shaun brings extensive leadership experience across the public and private sectors, with a strong focus on Queensland’s resources and infrastructure portfolios. Since October 2024, he has served as Assistant Coordinator-General, Industry and Infrastructure Development in the Office of the Coordinator-General.

He has previously held senior executive roles in the former Department of Resources, including Deputy Director-General, Georesources, and has worked in the global mining industry in key operational and strategic positions.

During his time in the Queensland public service, Shaun played a pivotal role in delivering the Queensland Resources Industry Development Plan and the Queensland Critical Minerals Strategy. He also contributed to major policy and regulatory reforms supporting land access, coexistence, critical minerals,  and the petroleum, gas and coal sectors.

Shaun is a results-driven leader who has extensive experience in policy development, environmental management, sustainability, stakeholder engagement, government relations and major project approvals.

He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental Engineering) from Griffith University.

Michael has more than 15 years' experience working in senior roles within the public sector. His strengths and interests include organisational development, corporate governance, strategy, operations and business partnering.

Michael’s career spans statutory bodies, commercialised business units, councils, and various government agencies. He has also worked in the private sector with a large chartered accounting firm.

Michael believes in the importance of developing strong client services. He leads the department with an emphasis on engagement.

As State Planner, Peta Harwood drives an improved planning system that champions responsible development and balances prosperity in Queensland with sustainability and liveability. She’s committed to partnering with local government, industry and communities to plan for considered growth and get the best outcomes for Queenslanders, including by unlocking more opportunities for housing.

Peta has been a leader in her field for more than a decade, most recently as Executive Director of Planning in the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, where she led the implementation of the Queensland Government’s commitment to change planning regulations to unlock church and charity owned land for community housing.

Her extensive public sector executive leadership experience includes heading the 300-strong development assessment function at Brisbane City Council and leading the first Local Government Infrastructure Plan in Queensland for Brisbane. Peta was also responsible for launching a new planning scheme, Brisbane City Plan 2014, including community engagement and pioneering work in e-plan technology and interactive mapping.

She is a Member of the Planning Institute of Australia and was the 2024 joint winner of Outstanding Woman Planner of the Year.

Leah leads the Infrastructure group which plays an integral role in leading infrastructure planning and policy to inform government’s investment and delivery of coordinated and resilient infrastructure that supports the department’s outcomes of securing economic prosperity and liveable communities across the State. Infrastructure group also leads the State’s planning and delivery of the Brisbane 2032 Infrastructure program and the Queens Wharf Brisbane development.

Throughout her career, Leah has held various leadership roles in the infrastructure industry developing a broad set of skills in areas such as transactions, commercial advisory, infrastructure procurement and delivery, and business case delivery.

She has held senior executive roles in Queensland Treasury, Building Queensland, Aurecon and The University of Queensland, bringing a wealth of public and private sector experience.

As Assistant Under Treasurer at Queensland Treasury Leah led the final Build to Rent Pilot Project and played a key role in various Steering Committees including the Brisbane 2032.

Leah has a Bachelor of Economics, Bachelor of Business Management and Graduate Diploma in Business (Accounting).

Megan was appointed as the Deputy Director-General, Office of Industrial Relations in November 2025.

For over 25 years Megan has been a recognised as a respected leader in both the public and private sectors with a focus on strategy, policy and service delivery. Her career spans across a diverse range of industries including education, tourism, retail, mining, transport, and energy.

She is passionate about public purpose work and her most recent roles have included Deputy Director-General roles with the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, and the Queensland Department of Education, and Deputy Commissioner with the Queensland Public Service Commission.

Megan holds tertiary qualifications in education and business and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.