Manager wins top state award

Published on 04 April 2014

Loddon Shire Council Works Manager Steven Phillips has won a statewide award for excellence, announced late last month in Melbourne.

Mr Phillips was named Public Works Practitioner of the Year during the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (Victoria Division) conference held at The Hotel Windsor.

The two-day program featured a variety of speakers, the awards dinner, a visit to the Treasury Buildings, practical solutions for delivery of projects and a mix of exhibitors promoting the latest products and services for the industry.

Mr Phillips joined Council in 2009 as Assistant Works Manager after seven years with the former Department of Sustainability and Environment, where he worked in forestry and fire management.

In 2011, he became Works Manager, primarily responsible for Council’s maintenance and construction activities on roads, streets, bridges, footpaths and parks and gardens.

Director Operations Ian McLauchlan said Mr Phillips was “a critical member of Council’s management and leadership group”.

“His knowledge, honesty and work ethic is widely acknowledged and respected across the organisation and the industry,” Mr McLauchlan said.

“Over the past 12 months, Steven has faced many challenges in his role as Works Manager.

“His achievements have included the successful delivery of Council’s mammoth flood infrastructure renewal program, implementing new road maintenance regimes, improving staff management, training and safety protocols and introducing new operational policies, procedures and governance tools.”

Mr Phillips said he was “very flattered” to even be nominated for an award.

“I was most surprised at my win.  The past two years have been a tremendous team effort by both office and outdoor staff,” he said.

CAPTION FOR PICTURE: Steven Phillips (left) is congratulated on his award by Operations Director Ian McLauchlan.