Western Australia’s top public sector staff and teams have been honoured at this year’s StateWest Achievement Awards. Noel Dyson reports.
Western Australia’s top public sector staff and teams have been honoured at this year’s StateWest Achievement Awards. Noel Dyson reports.
Helping steer the $225 million Perth Convention Exhibition Centre to its August 26 opening date – set four years earlier – has won Department of Housing and Works project leader, major projects, John Savell a StateWest achievement award.
Mr Savell is one of the four award winners, claiming his prize in the individual category for employees in a managerial position at a gala evening at the Government House Ballroom on November 24.
He also has the distinction of being in charge of the first major project to be delivered in WA through a public-private partnership.
The PPP approach was chosen because it was deemed to allow a large infrastructure project that could be beyond the financial means of the State to go ahead.
The next project likely to be delivered through a PPP is the CBD Courts Project.
As the Government’s representative, Mr Savell had to ensure the developer, Multiplex, met every milestone date and contract requirement.
While he was in the role he received little, if any, direction from the executive of the Department of Housing and Works.
Mr Savell also had to deal with the interests of all parties involved with the project, from the Government and Multiplex through to future site lessees Wyllie Group and the City of Perth, and Government agencies with an interest in the site.
During the construction phase there were more than 780 on-site and 1,500 off-site jobs.
Of the total $225 million in construction costs it is estimated that $216 million was retained by businesses in WA.
As contract manager for the project, the Government had to provide a flexible mechanism that allowed quick responses to all issues and a consultative process to coordinate the activities associated with achieving and fulfilling the conditions established in the project agreements.
The Health Department won the marketing category for its Find Thirty Campaign.
The Department of Agriculture clinched two prizes in the awards.
Its research officer, Dr Hua’an Yang, won the individual category of employees in a non-managerial position, while its Pig Research and Development Group claimed the category for a group involved in a project.
This is the second time in two years that the department has won two categories in the StateWest awards.
Last year its staff members won the two individual categories.
Gascoyne Development Commission project officer Tami Maitre received a special merit commendation in the individual category for her work on projects in the Gascoyne. One of her most notable successes was to get the Government to put $1.5 million towards a land-backed wharf for Carnarvon.
The Water Corporation’s BuilderNet Project also secured a special merit commendation.
It was nominated for the group category for its development of a web-based system that has improved response times for water service applications and made it easier for builders to obtain building plan approvals from the Water Corporation.
The awards have been running for more than 10 years and recognise WA State, Federal and local government employees and the organisations they represent for: outstanding service to the community; initiative demonstrated in a job role; significant productivity requirements; and exceptional performance in a job role.
Winners
- Dr Hua’an Yang, employee in a non-managerial position.
- John Savell, employee in a managerial or professional position.
- Pig Research and Development Group, groups or a number of colleagues involved in a project.
- Find 30 Campaign, marketing excellence category.
