Previous Roles

Chief Executive Officer

Department of Planning and Infrastructure
Northern Territory Government

2007 - 2009

http://www.nt.gov.au/infrastructure/

Key responsibilities included:

  • Budget per annum Operating and Capital - $850 million (includes cash value of capital works program of other Departments).
  • Assets Managed — majority Northern Territory Government assets in conjunction with other Departments.
  • Staff Numbers — 1000 (Darwin, Gove, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs).
  • Planning, management and regulation of land resources throughout the Territory.
  • Provision of surveying, mapping, land valuation and land information systems and services.
  • Provision of an effective and transparent land use planning and development framework.
  • Transport planning, policy, regulation and operations across all modes of transport, including motor vehicle registrations, public transport and marine safety.
  • Management of the road network.
  • Working with the construction industry to implement Building Act reforms.
  • Delivery of whole of Government infrastructure program including all capital works construction projects and repairs and maintenance services for all Government assets.
  • Delivery of Australian Government Stimulus Package for schools, housing and roads in conjunction with other Departments.
  • Coordination of and reporting on, whole of Government infrastructure planning and development in partnership with Northern Territory Treasury.
  • Participation in national bodies including COAG Infrastructure Working Group, Infrastructure Australia, Australian Transport Council, National Transport Commission.
  • Preparation of cabinet submissions, budget submissions and advice to Government .

The Department included the Government Business Divisions of:

Construction Division (CD)

  • Delivery of the Government's Infrastructure Program, comprising capital works, minor new works and repairs and maintenance.
  • Design, procurement and supervision of the construction and maintenance of built assets for government client agencies.

Darwin Bus Service (DBS)

  • Provision of an efficient, safe and reliable urban public bus service to meet the needs of the Darwin and Palmerston communities in line with its Service Level Agreement with the Public Transport Branch of the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment.
  • Provide services for special events and school travel in Darwin and Palmerston.

    • Key Initiatives and Achievements included:

    • Successful delivery of the Government's Infrastructure Program, comprising capital works, minor new works and repairs and maintenance. 2008-09 Infrastructure Program comprised 2700 individual projects to the cash program value of $554 million.
    • Successful delivery of the Department's recurrent budget of $350M including Government Business Divisions returning 5% profit in 2008-09.
    • Commenced the development of significant strategies for the Northern Territory in conjunction with Northern Territory Treasury and other Departments other including:
      • 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy
      • Strategic Land Use Plan for Greater Darwin Region
      • Residential Land Release Program
      • Commercial and Industrial Land Release Program
      • Planning, Transport and Infrastructure Sustainability Strategy
      • Public Transport Framework
      • 10 Year Roads Strategy
      • Overall Transport Strategy
    • The development of Departmental strategies and initiatives including:
      • Marketing and Communications Strategy
      • IT Strategy
      • Customer Service Strategy
      • Risk Management Strategy
      • Business Strategy for Construction Division
      • Management Development Program
      • Workforce Capability Program
      • National and International Recruitment Drive
    • The introduction of Departmental change initiatives including:
      • Benchmarking of the Departments services and introduction of refreshed organisation structure and executive team.
      • Creation of senior executive positions in regional locations.
      • Developed and implemented training for Transit Safety Officers to have additional powers in order to further improve public safety on the public transport network.
      • Fast tracking of land release projects from greenfield sites to development ready in 12 months reduced from a traditional 24 — 30 month timeframe.
      • Review of Development Assessment process and resourcing.
      • Introduction of Development One Stop Shop to streamline and case manage the development application process.

    The Department of Planning and Infrastructure and the Department of Construction and Infrastructure undertook a diverse multi-disciplinary range of activities and projects during my period as Chief Executive Officer.

    Acknowledgement from Northern Territory Government Treasurer

    Annual Reports

    Cyclone Preparedness

    Construction Division — Infrastructure Program Achievements

    Commercialisation of In-House Land Information System

    Stakeholder Newsletters

    Development One Stop Shop

    Major Infrastructure Project — Tiger Brennan Drive

    Four lane major arterial road connecting Darwin and Palmerston, Northern Terrritory

    Chief Executive Officer

    Ballarat City Council

    During my period as Chief Executive Officer, the Council organisation was refreshed and the senior management structure of the organisation was reviewed and improved. As a result, some senior executives and managers left the organisation.

    Performance reporting and enhanced financial management was introduced along with the achievement of service delivery improvements.

    Record levels of capital works expenditure were achieved as a result of operating expenditure being contained and reduced, along with improved overall financial stability.

    During this time a range of important strategies were developed such as:

    Blueprint Ballarat — 25 year vision for the city

    ICT 2030 — 25 year ICT strategy for the Ballarat and the Region

    Heritage Overlays and Outline Development Plans to guide future land use and development

    Economic Development Strategy

    Long Term Financial Strategy for the Council

    New Projects and Initiatives

    I was heavily involved in the development and implementation of the:

    Annual Reports

    Strategies and Projects

    Community Activities and Projects

    I was very active in the broader community in areas such as:

    Migrant Attraction and Retention

    ICT for the Region

    Employment Creation and Skilled Worker Attraction

    International Investment

    Chief Executive Officer

    Latrobe City Council

    During my period as Chief Executive Officer, the Council organisation was refreshed and the senior management structure of the organisation was reviewed and improved. As a result, some senior executives and managers left the organisation.

    Performance reporting and enhanced financial management was introduced along with the achievement of service delivery improvements.

    A major project of the Council during this period was the evaluation, location, scoping, design and construction of a new Corporate Headquarters. This was a highly divisive project amongst the Council members and in some parts of the community.

    During this time a range of important strategies were developed such as:

    Latrobe 2021 — 25 year vision for the city

    New Projects and Initiatives

    I was heavily involved in the development/implementation of the:

  • Latrobe Innovation Festival (later successfully expanded to become the Gippsland Innovation Festival)
  • Principal for a Day Program
  • Executive for a Day Program

    • Annual Reports

    Community Activities and Projects

    I was very active in the broader community in areas such as:

    Latrobe Regional Airport and Airpark (Board Chair)

    Regional Leadership Development

    Australian Innovation Festival

    Latrobe Valley Marketing Strategy - Latrobefirst

    Gippsland Sports Academy