Excitement over share deal benefits

The Shire of East Pilbara is set to benefit from a resource-sharing agreement with the City of Swan after two graduate engineers arrived in Newman for a five-month assignment.

The innovative agreement will strengthen and enhance career development and regional capacity building between the two local government authorities.

Shire president Lynne Craigie said this agreement was ground-breaking for the Pilbara region.

“It’s the first resource-sharing agreement of its kind between two local governments and we are pleased to be one of the frontrunners in WA for this type of program,” she said.

“The benefits generated as a result of this partnership are shared amongst all parties involved and we are grateful to the City of Swan for collaborating with us on this exciting initiative.”

It is a career development opportunity for engineering graduates, Finn Macleod and Sinead McGuire, who will receive valuable experience working on complex engineering projects as well as garnering experience in a regional environment.

The projects include significant works at the Newman Waste Water Treatment Plant, Newman Airport, Newman Works Depot and Newman Landfill.

“I saw it as a great opportunity to develop my skills in managing projects and working in an environment so different to that at the City of Swan,” Mr Macleod said.

“My projects are all quite varied and providing many new challenges.”

City of Swan chief executive Mike Foley said this was a fantastic opportunity for knowledge to be shared between two very diverse organisations.

“In terms of land size, the City of Swan is the largest local government in the Perth metropolitan area, and the Shire of East Pilbara is the largest shire in the world,” he said.

“Secondments can help an organisation develop new ideas and working practices, and the City is looking forward to the experiences and perspectives our graduates will bring back.”