Beca engineer to move to DCC manager’s role
THE Dunedin City Council has tapped the private sector and recruited a key figure behind major infrastructure projects as it eyes the decade of work ahead of it.
Simon Drew, the Dunedin branch manager of engineering consultancy firm Beca, was yesterday named as the council’s next infrastructure services general manager.
Mr Drew (42), a chartered professional civil engineer, has had a 19year career in infrastructure delivery, managing major infrastructure projects.
That included Beca’s work on the awardwinning University of Otago Business School and Emersons Brewery, overseen by Mr Drew as branch manager.
He will replace Leanne Mash, who has been the DCC’s acting infrastructure services general manager since soon after the departure of Ruth Stokes late last year.
Council chief executive Sue Bidrose said in a statement she was ‘‘thrilled’’ by the appointment, as Mr Drew’s experience made him a ‘‘clear choice’’.
‘‘Having a highly experi enced civil engineer around our executive leadership table is a deliberate move given our hefty infrastructure programme over the next 10 years.’’
Those projects included the Government’s Dunedin Hospital rebuild, the central city upgrade and the waterfront development plan.
The council was also ramping up stormwater improvements, including in South Dunedin, rolling out new streetlights, supporting the push for a new Mosgiel Pool, planning a permanent South Dunedin community hub and continuing with cycleway improvements across the city.
Mr Drew said in yesterday’s statement he would ‘‘bring my skills and experience to the task of delivering on the council’s ambitious infrastructure plans for the city’’.
Mr Drew will take up his new role in midOctober.