Meet Paul Meredith
Paul Meredith has been working in the field of civil engineering for over 50 years with a significant amount of that time working for, or directly for, local or state government entities.
Paul commenced his working life as a civil design draftsman in 1973 with the NSW Department of Main Roads (now called Transport for NSW) in Newcastle. He has worked for a varied cross section of local and state governments in NSW, Queensland and the UK.
He gained is Master Engineering Practice (MEPr) from USQ in 2014 and became a RPEQ in the same year.
Paul is not only a competent and experienced Civil Engineer but is also a highly skilled civil road and stormwater designer, drafter and design project manager with particular experience in the design & development of public infrastructure works.
Local & State Government Experience
Paul was fortunate enough to be engaged by Banana Shire Council (BSC) in Central Queensland to support and coordinate the in-house infrastructure design team. Following a number of months, Council appointed Paul to the vacant position of Director Infrastructure Services (DIS), in an acting capacity. This eventually become permanent in July 2023.
Some of the tasks undertaken by Paul whilst in these roles include:
- Oversee and management of over 230 personnel in the infrastructure team.
- Implement works productivity and best-practice infrastructure improvements across the Council.
- Manage Councillor and Resident requests, complaints and demands in a timely and professional manner.
- Liaise with TMR and other statutory authorities in accepting and delivering state funded projects.
- Interface with elected councillors and community representatives.
- Improve the support and delivery provided at the design construction interface.
- Attend Council meetings and participate in local initiatives as and when they are requested.
- Prepare budgets for the entire fiscal year and have them approved and ratified by Council.
- Participate in the operations of the Council Executive Management Team (EMT).
- Take liability for the certification and statutory approval of all engineering works within the Council (RPEQ).
- Participate in Union, HR and WHS requirements as and when directed.
- Provide direction and guidance to staff on engineering matters. Provide best practice counsel to members of the Council Executive, the Mayor and elected Councillors as required.
In the time Paul functioned as DIS at BSC – he had managed to make significant improvements to:
- The overall operations and coordination of the infrastructure team.
- Positively improve the culture across the business.
- Correct many poor work processes that would clearly see an extended life of Council’s assets.
- Reduce ineffectual work practices that simply delayed the delivery of the work.
- Increase the reputation and professionalism of Civil Engineers within the Council and the Community.
- Promotion and encouragement of new and existing personnel to undertake professional employment and training within the engineering discipline in Council.
- Promote a better manner of engaging and communicating with Councillors, Community, EMT members and staff.
Paul also undertook local & state government works as:
- Section Leader at Coffs Harbour City Council in NSW and was primarily responsible for delivering an improved civil works design programme across the entire Council Infrastructure team.
- A Design Engineer, seconded into the Fitzroy TMR Regional Office, in support of a number of safety improvement programmes to the Bruce Highway and other Departmental assets in the Fitzroy Region.
- Design Manager at Brisbane City Council (City Design) working with Council’s Major Infrastructure Projects Office (MIPO) delivering multimillion-dollar engineering projects across the LGA.
- Contract Engineer at Reigate & Banstead Borough Council (UK) in support of the Council’s Planning and Approvals team in providing engineering and technical advice on submitted developments.
- Contract Civil Engineer at Townsville City Council in support of the Council’s Planning and Approvals team in providing engineering and technical advice on submitted developments.
- Contract Civil Engineer at Gladstone Regional Council in support of the Council’s Planning and Approvals team in provide engineering and technical advice on submitted developments.
- Senior Civil Designer at Newcastle City Council, Lake Macquarie City Council and Cessnock City Council in NSW.