Cottee's claim to fame was in taking Queensland Gas Company from a small exploration company to a major non-conventional gas supplier which was sold to BG for A$5.7 billion.
Cottee then had a brief stint as chief executive of Nexus Energy.
Central's chairman Henry Askin said the company would be "materially enhanced" by Cottee and further appointments.
“These new appointments will provide the experience and commercial acumen to drive Central through the development stages.
