Len grew up in Kulin and started working for Council in 1981 as a grader operator, and became Works Supervisor in 1993. He was nominated by Shire President James Sullivan for the positive contribution he and his staff make to smooth running of the roads program, and all community activities. Len is not only a dedicated Works Manager, but a positive community member who advocates for the Shire.
Kulin Shire is renowned for the Annual Kulin Bus Races and the very unique Tin Horse Highway. The Shire maintains a high standard of maintenance of both plant and road assets. The works team has also been involved in various private works projects for clients such as Main Roads WA and Roadcare, and carries out private works for farmers, drainage and culvert works.
Len’s position entails day to day supervision, management and control of the Shire’s works construction and maintenance programs. He manages a workforce of 15—20 capable staff who take pride in their work. He enjoys working with different people, each of whom have skills and personality they bring to the team.
Len brings to the role years of experience in construction and maintenance of road infrastructure, a good relationship with staff and ratepayers, particularly farmers, and the ability to have open lines of communication with everyone he deals with.
Looking back on completed jobs and contributing to the betterment of the Kulin community are the most rewarding parts of Len’s job. He finds red tape the key challenge to the role – increased shuffling of paperwork and time spent in the office, which has increased significantly over the last five years.
Key projects for the works team include 11 kilometres of bitumen budgeted in the current financial year, which is a huge commitment given the size of the workforce. A Visitor Discovery Zone is being implemented in town, which is a million dollar project to increase tourism and provide better visitor experiences. They are also undertaking a stormwater harvesting project, which will increase capacity to harvest rainwater, store it and reuse in town.
One of Len’s greatest successes was a private works contract for Main Roads WA to construct and bitumenise 7km of the Williams Kondinin Road. Len says a highlight of his career was a surprise function Council held on the 30th anniversary of his commencement date. “A dinner at the Kulin Hotel was a fantastic evening and it was nice to be acknowledged by past and present councillors, staff and community members.”
