25-08-2022
Upper Lachlan Shire Council’s new Director of Infrastructure, Leon Kruger, didn’t have to deal with below zero weather, frosts and ice on his windscreen in the Northern Territory.
That was then.
Mr Kruger has taken up his new position with Council this week and is finding the change in temperature a bit of shock to the system, although it’s a climate he’s had a lot of experience with.
“It’s a little cold at the moment, but I’ve lived in New Zealand and other cool environments which I really enjoyed. This is very similar,” he said.
The move has necessitated changes to his wardrobe…there’s not a lot of need for jumpers and jackets in the Territory… but after the brief adjustment to the climate, living and working in a rural environment is very familiar territory.
While they’ve often lived and worked in cities, Mr Kruger and his wife both grew up in farming communities and were attracted to returning to rural living.
“I did my homework and this seemed like a great environment for us,” he said.
“We have always had a preference for a rural lifestyle and, for us, the Upper Lachlan Shire ticks all of the boxes.”
Mr Kruger, who has relocated to a farm near Laggan, brings with him 30 years of experience in senior management in local government, engineering consultancies and the mines.
He is a vastly experienced engineer and program/project manager, who confesses that total quality management and time management have become second nature to him as a result of many years in engineering.
Most recently, Mr Kruger was employed as the Director/Manager of Infrastructure and Operations at Litchfield Council in the Northern Territory.
Prior to that, he has worked for Wakefield Regional Council, the City of Busselton, Fortescu Metals Group and various other positions in New Zealand and South Africa.
An accomplished leader, Mr Kruger has a track record of establishing and developing departments into healthy, vibrant and high-performing teams.
“I believe that while high performing organisations invariably embrace robust systems and procedures, what really makes them extraordinary is a healthy vibrant culture,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to leading not only a high achieving team but also one with great pride in what they do and a great team spirit.”
Mr Kruger holds a Bachelor of Engineering and has extensive experience in road maintenance and design as well as a wide array of Council and management tasks such as budget preparation, planning and implementation of capital works programs and asset management.
General Manager Colleen Worth said Council was very pleased to have secured his services.
“I’m very much looking forward to working with Leon,” she said.
“He will be a valuable asset to our senior management team.”