When Logan City Council’s Roads and Drainage Design and Operations Branches of the Department of Engineering Services received third party certification under Australian Standard AS 3901, it made Local Government history in Australia. This milestone was the result of 18 months work which culminated in September 1994 with the issue of a certificate of registration.
In joining a select group of Australian organisations and companies able to display the ‘quality endorsed’ symbol, this achievement is the result of the collective effort by all staff from these Branches.
“It was the willingness to share ideas and skills across the board,” said Greg Lester, Manager Roads and Drainage Design. “All staff were involved in drafting the procedures, putting in place necessary changes to the way things are done and accepting the need to be continually looking for better ways to work to deliver maximum customer satisfaction.”
Not satisfied with Australian recognition, the Branches have gone on to achieve international certification under ISO 9001.Work is underway to include the Maintenance Section in the certification and Council’s Department of Planning and Development is also working towards certification.
Although Quality Systems are not new in the private sector, Logan is certainly a leader in this field in Local Government. A number of Councils are working on certification, with Knox City in Melbourne and Shoalhaven in NSW the only Councils to now be sharing this achievement.The Department of Engineering Services Quality System has become a marketable product. Some 70 Councils across Australia have purchased various sections of Logan’s manual and documentation. This has resulted in Council recouping its initial outlay for consultants to prepare the necessary documents for certification.
For further information contact Greg Lester, telephone (07) 3826 5387.
