Future Directions is a regular feature. This month we interviewed Deb Craigie, Manager Human Services, at the Town of Port Hedland, in Western Australia.
Deb Craigie has been in Local Government for 16 years. Gaining a student practicum while still studying, Deb worked for a Community Services Directorate for a Council in Perth before being offered a relief position at that Council. She has since worked in aged and disability services, community development and capacity building for six Western Australian Local Governments. Now the Manager of Human Services at the Town of Port Hedland, Deb Craigie’s portfolio includes, children and families, youth and aged and disabilities services.
Located on the coast, 1,800 kilometres from Perth in the Pilbara region, Port Hedland has a relaxed and open lifestyle and is currently experiencing a mining resources boom. The dynamic town has a fluctuating population of between 12,000 and 15,000 permanent residents due to its large transient fly in/fly out work force.
Deb Craigie said that having such a diverse portfolio within Local Government provides the scope to be actively involved very much at a grass roots level in the community.
“Having lived in remote areas, I am familiar and comfortable with the challenges and opportunities of working in Local Government in the Pilbara,” she said. “There are long distances between townships and communities. It is vital to maintain good communication streams to keep services running. With a high turnover of staff in remote areas, it is also important that Council has good business practices and that services are established well enough that when people do leave, the services can continue at the same standard.
“A Local Government is only as good as the services it provides. Therefore, having a strong and sustainable strategic direction and a positive organisational culture is paramount.”
Over the past 11 months, the Town of Port Hedland has gone through a remarkable transformation. With an Acting CEO and Directors and just few staff to manage Council’s day to day business and compliance matters, Chris Adams was appointed as CEO in August 2005. Since then a full compliment of Directors has been recruited, and other key positions have been filled.
“This breath of fresh air has resulted in organisational cultural change,” Deb Craigie said. “We now have a contemporary approach and a ‘can do’ philosophy towards service provision, and customer service.”
Deb said it is now vital for Council to address the future by managing development and growth for long term sustainability and incorporating strong strategic and financial planning that provides clear direction.
“The region has a unique diversity of rich culture and we need to ensure that this is maintained,” she said. “We need to stop and listen to the needs of our community so that they are reflected in the services we provide. Local Government needs to live and breathe access and inclusion.”
Deb Craigie said that the provision of Local Government in a transitional community in the middle of a mining resources boom is inspiring, motivating and constantly interesting.
“In a region that is transient by nature, sustainability is key,” she said. “Communities are becoming more self determining and we need to provide them with the skills to run their own groups and activities rather than increasing their dependency on Local Government. Community Services needs to demonstrate leadership in developing good partnerships in the community. By providing support and advice in planning and financial matters, the groups become more sustainable and independent than if we ran them.”
Deb Craigie said the Town of Port Hedland has come a long way in the last 11 months, but acknowledges a demanding and busy time lies ahead.
