Each month we will place the spotlight on a country council and/or staff member.

This month we speak to the Administrator of one of our fastest growing country areas - Bill Boehm from Roxby Council.

What is your professional background?

Bachelor Civil Engineering. Grad Dip Municipal Engineering, Building Surveying and Local Government Management.  30 years in Local Government in engineering, planning and management fields, all of which has been in rural and regional areas in Victoria and South Australia

What Council are you currently working at, and how long have you been there?

Administrator Roxby Council for past 12 years

Why did you decide to work for a country council?

Opportunity for wider civil engineering experience, in part to assist in a obtaining a the Municipal Engineers Certificate in Victoria, as well as an opportunity for a different non city lifestyle

What are the key differences between a country council and metro?

More intimate relationships with community generally and opportunity for children to have a more relaxed enjoyable lifestyle in a safe environment.  Many of metro features are accessible without the day to day hassles of traffic and busy nature of life generally

What do you like most about your role?

Ability and position to influence the way the Roxby Community operates now and into the future

How would you describe working for a country council as a career development step?

Excellent but it horses for courses.  Greater variety but may be perceived to be more difficult at a senior level to return to the City but lifestyle opportunities make it worthwhile

What other involvement do you have in Local Government (e.g. networks, affiliations)

Current Delegate to LGA and member Provincial Cities Association.  Current and previous board member of various regional associations. Current Regional Community Consultative Council and Port Augusta and Regional Health Advisory Committee.  Previous regional member on Country Arts SA and both Area Consultative Committee and Regional Development Boards