Alex O'Mara is the Group Deputy Secretary of Place, Design and Public Spaces Group within the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, leading two NSW Premier’s Priorities: Greening Our City and Greener Public Spaces. Ms O’Mara is also tasked with leading the work to re-orient the planning system around people places and communities, with a continued focus on greater upfront strategic planning, excellence in design, local neighbourhood character and public spaces.

Prior to that, Alex was the Deputy Secretary for Create NSW, leading the delivery of the largest investment in cultural infrastructure in NSW since the Opera House was built and the development of the NSW Cultural Infrastructure Plan.
 
 Alex is an experienced senior executive who has worked across a range of sectors, including the planning, industry, infrastructure, water, environmental, building, creative and cultural sectors. Alex has led the delivery of multi-dimensional projects and programs, driving significant policy, reform and infrastructure projects and leading complex stakeholder engagement. Examples include delivery of coastal management reforms including the Coastal Management Act, the Local Land Services Act, the Marine Estate Management Act, a new framework for wind energy development, the first social impact assessment guidelines for resources projects and a new design-led framework for delivery of schools. 
 
Alex began her career as a private sector lawyer after graduating second in order of merit from the University of Sydney with first class honours. Alex has a degree in Arts, majoring in English and Australian literature and a Masters in Administrative Law and Policy. Alex has been a member of boards including the Australian Building Codes Board and is currently a member of the Placemaking NSW Advisory Committee. Alex is passionate about diversity and inclusion and values-led leadership.