At the National General Assembly of Local Government held in Canberra, Local Government FOCUS invited delegates to nominate individuals or teams from their councils who are improving operations or enhancing service delivery for their local community.
In this edition, we showcase two more of our high achievers for 2011.
Leeah Daley, Director Organisational Development, Gwydir Shire Council, NSW
The first time Leeah Daley applied for a job in Local Government, she went for the position of Shire Clerk, not knowing that it was the equivalent of a CEO or general manager.
Leeah Daley at the Gwydir Council is a person who rarely if ever looks back, but she concedes this was an application that would have made people laugh in Local Government.
After more than two decades in the area, she would now be a prime candidate for such a position.
She began her role in administration and has worked her way through administration and Human Resources to become Organisation Development Director.
General Manager Max Eastcott nominated her for the high achievers award for driving change across the organisation.
“She has provided exceptional service for the council and to the community,” he said.
Leeah Daley is now responsible for a raft of aspects of Council administration: community fitness, economic development, human resources, records, risk management, occupational health and safety, tourism and promotion event, Gwydir Learning Region, and medical centres.
Gwydir Shire Council was formed in March 2004 by the voluntary merger of Bingara and Yallaroi Shires with 40 per cent of the former Barraba Shire.
After working in administration for many years, in June 2004, Leeah applied for and was appointed to a new position Human Resource Manager with Gwydir Shire Council.
“I had broken through that glass ceiling that existed in the prior organisation by becoming a manager in the organisation structure,” she said.
“I now had staff, and wasn’t that a brand new challenge!”
Leeah’s role was guided by clear communication and ensuring that people were not disadvantaged by the changes.
Despite the challenges of the amalgamation, Gwydir Shire Council won the prestigious AR Bluett Award for achievement in Local Government in 2005.
The judges noted that striking aspects of the Local Government were the mature and cooperative approach the former councils took to the union, and the efforts made to communicate with stakeholders over a vast 9000 square kilometre area.
Leeah is highly committed to training.
“Internally, Council has created a learning culture through its training program and policies,” she said.
“In 2004 when the new council was formed 70 per cent of the staff had no nationally recognised qualifications and at last count in 2011, 97 per cent of our workforce now have national qualifications Certificate 2 and above.
“I completed a Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training in order that I can deliver nationally accredited qualifications in areas of my expertise as did other staff who are contracted by TAFE to deliver training.
“Our organisation had become a learning organisation and this gives me personally incredible pride.”
In 2006, Leeah was offered the additional responsibilities of tourism, economic development, events and cultural activities, medical centres and gymnasium.
As for her original application, Leeah now asks herself if she will ever be general manager.
“Perhaps my future lies in training and development who knows,” she said
“What I can guarantee you is that I will be looking for the opportunities and giving them a go,” she said.
General Manager Max Eastcott said her achievements are the more remarkable for having a child with disabilities.
Leeah never regretted having children or combining motherhood with her career. “We have travelled, played, laughed, learnt and grown together
“Whilst I am having a wonderful career it all fades into insignificance beside my children,” she said.
“My number two son, although a daily challenge, has taught me about love, self sacrifice, giving and he has taught me to cry and laugh harder I am a better person for that.”
Waterproofing Playford Stage 2 Project Team,Playford City Council, South Australia
The team behind City of Playford’s $19.2 million Waterproofing Playford Stage 2 Project are in one mind about the keys to success: a shared vision among team members, challenges that draw on combined strengths and timing.
CEO Tim Jackson nominated the team as the Local Government high achievers for their work in water harvesting.
Technical Services Team Manger Brenton Hall said that the project addresses the objectives that are ‘front and centre’ for Council and its management.
“Since the Local Government Election in 2010, Council has been focussed on improving the appearance of the City, and sustainable operations,” he said.
“Playford is north of Australia’s driest capital city – Adelaide.
“The Waterproofing Project hits both objectives head on – it captures, treats and reuses stormwater that would otherwise wash out to sea, taking pressure off of a stressed and costly mains water supply.
“Once treated we can use the water to maintain local parks and open space that are a big part of Playford’s identity. “
Beyond timing and fit with Council’s goals, Project Manager Frank Lepore said project challenges and the team’s skills play a key role in maintaining high performance.
“Waterproofing brings together many stakeholders – each with their own needs. We are focussed on social and environmental benefits,” he said.
“We plan and invest the time to achieve overall objectives rather than addressing issues one by one.
“Sustainable decisions deliver many outcomes at once.
“The most important challenge we face is water quality. We have combined the natural processes of wetland reeds with the best technical solutions available. Right now we are piloting a number of filtration systems to find the best way to treat & harvest stormwater.
“We have brought together a diverse team to work on a complex project including water experts, civil engineers, project managers and communication specialists.
“At Playford the real difference is that we all speak the same language, we all have the same vision and passion for water in Playford and we have the Council behind us.
“This is an environment that people want to perform well in.”
Stage 2 brings together a number of smaller projects across Playford. The $4.9 million 2.6 hectare Curtis Wetland will capture and treat enough water to fill 250 Olympic sized swimming pools every year and provide a functional open space for residents. Additional purple reticulation pipe will distribute water and a number of Community Bores will play an important role in maintaining water quality and delivery.
A Capture Basin will store water and reduce the risk of flooding and high-tech ASR (Aquifer Storage and Recovery) technology will work to transfer water into the aquifer beneath the City.
Stage 2 is scheduled for completion in mid 2013 and builds on Stage 1 projects such as Stebonheath Park Wetlands and 18 kilometres of reticulation piping.
By 2015 Waterproofing Playford is forecasted to produce 1500 megalitres of water each year.
Waterproofing Playford Stage 2 is jointly funded and brings together The Commonwealth Government through its Water for the Future National Urban Water and Desalination Plan and the Government of South Australia through its Water for Good initiative, the Land Management Corporation and the Department of Transport, Energy and Infrastructure.
