John Woodward (lawyer)

From 1981 to 1992 he was Chairman of the NSW Office of The Commissioners of Inquiry for Environment and Planning and authored (or co-authored) over 55 reports covering planning and environmental enquiries conducted in NSW during that time.^[11]

Some of the more notable inquiries included:

• A recommendation not to proceed with the F2- Expressway (Stage I – Beecroft to Ryde), but which ultimately became part of the M2 Hills Motorway^[12]
• Objections to a conservation order The Royal Automobile Club of Australia^[13]
• A controversial and unsuccessful application for the relocation of a Bayer pesticide plant in Kurnell.^[14]
• A successful application for a BHP Mini Mill at Rooty Hill, NSW^[15]

Between 1993 and 1996, he completed a further three environmental based inquiries:

• Commonwealth Commission of Inquiry, Shoalwater Bay Capricornia Coast, Queensland, Australia.^[16]
• Commonwealth Commission of Inquiry, East Coast Armaments Complex Point Wilson, Victoria.^[17]
• A proposal for future use of lands at Lucas Heights : Lucas Heights mediation / Sutherland Shire Council and Waste Service NSW.^[18]

In 1999 he completed an assessment into the amalgamation of the South Sydney, Randwick and Botany Bay councils.^[19]

In his later years, he moved to Tokyo, Japan, where he died aged 87 on 6 August 2022. North Sydney Council passed a condolence motion at its meeting on 22 August 2022, with the motion from the mayor, Zoë Baker, acknowledging his "contribution to North Sydney and NSW, particularly, his legacy of a commitment to strong environmental sustainability and excellent town planning."^[20]