Jason Akers has been with Queensland Local Government for 12 years and with the Central Highlands Regional Council since council’s creation through amalgamation in March 2008.
“I commenced in Local Government with Barcoo Shire Council in Western Queensland.
“Barcoo Shire was an invaluable experience and a very good grounding platform.
“Being a smaller council by way of staff numbers you quickly learned the need for collaboration at all levels of the organisation from Community, Councillor, CEO right through to all the employees and levels.”
After a valuable time working with Barcoo, Jason left to work for Duaringa Shire Council before it was amalgamated into the Central Highlands Regional Council.
It’s been his tireless efforts to break down former amalgamation boundaries that earned him the High Achievers Nominations from multiple members of council including Mayor Peter Maguire and CEO Scott Mason.
Jason held the position of Area Works and Technical Services Manager for the eastern sector of the Central Highlands through to March 2013 at which time he then took the position of Manager Infrastructure.
“My Position as the Manager Infrastructure is responsibility for the road network, parks, stormwater, depots, plant and fleet and workshop
operations, maintenance and capital delivery.
“I do this with a very good team supporting myself and a budget in 14/15 operational budget of $35m and Capital budget of $30.5m.”
Jason has also overcome numerous challenges in his role
“Since December 2010 our council region has had four major flood events to manage.
“A key part of the recovery from these events has been the reinstatement of councils road network.
“To date the council team has delivered approximately $150m worth of restoration work under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements on the 4560km council road network whilst at the same time delivering on our capital works projects and maintenance activities, and further undertaking road works for Queensland Transport and Main Roads conjointly.
“This work is a significant achievement by the Central Highlands team.”
Jason says that some of the highlights of his career includes watching his
staff succeed.
“An example being in 2012 I employed a young engineer to provide some technical assistance in relation to Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery works associated with flood events and submissions attributed to road restoration works.
“The work that this young engineer delivered and the effort he put in lead to him generating substantial inter agency relationships, newly developed sound processes and credibility within Local and State government, all at the age of 24. These are the real highlights – to see such growth in staff and knowing that the future of Local Government is in good hands with staff such as this.”
