John Woodward (lawyer)


John Thomas Woodward is an Australian sportsman, alderman, lawyer and environmental commissioner.

Early life

John Thomas Woodward was born in Watsons Bay, Australia on 1 November 1934.
He was a keen sailor, member of the and skippered 'Flying Dutchman' to win the Amateur Sailing Association, Commonwealth Championship of 1952-53.

Legal career

In 1959, John completed a Bachelor of Laws at University of Sydney. He concluded his direct involvement in the legal profession in 1974 as a solicitor / partner with Currie & Currie located in King St, Sydney.

Political career

John was an alderman from the Kirribilli ward of the North Sydney Council from 1965 to 1974, Deputy Mayor from December 1968 to December 1970, and Mayor of North Sydney from September 1971 to September 1972.
From 1976 until 1979, John was Director reporting to Neville Wran, the Premier of NSW.

Environmental and planning career

From 1981 to 1992 he was Chairman of the NSW Office of The Commissioners of Inquiry for Environment and Planning and authored over 55 reports covering planning and environmental enquiries conducted in NSW during that time.
Some of the more notable inquiries included:
Between 1993 and 1996, he completed a further three environmental based inquiries:
In 1999 he completed an assessment into the amalgamation of the South Sydney, Randwick and Botany Bay councils.