Chief Executive Officer - Phil Berting

Prior to his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of the Western Downs Regional Council in May 2008, Phil Berting had gained experience throughout his 20 year local government career as Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Dalby Regional Council Local Transition committee, Chief Executive Officer Tara Shire Council, Chief Executive Officer Murilla Shire Council (8 years), and twelve years experience gained at Wambo Shire and Dalby Town Councils.

Phil’s vision for the council is to oversee a cohesive and proactive organisation that embraces the demands of resource development and the delivery of essential services with the need for community sustainability, and a balanced lifestyle.

Phil holds a business degree in accounting and local government management, is a Certified Practising Accountant and a member of the Local Government Managers Australia (Qld).

Corporate Services General Manager - Lee Vohland

Lee Vohland has 39 years experience in local government, primarily within the fields of engineering services, information technology, finance and corporate governance. Lee was formerly the CEO of the Wambo Shire Council for 3 years and previously of the Balonne Shire Council for 12 years. 

The Corporate Services Division provides a range of professional services to the organisation and the community. These services include:

• Human resources, workplace health and safety and disaster management;
• Information systems including records management, corporate governance and customer contact services;
• Information technology services; and
• Financial operations, planning and reporting.

In his role as general manager, Lee is working to build Western Downs Regional Council’s reputation as an employer of choice by being an efficient, community-minded, technologically aware and financially sustainable organisation that strives to service the needs of an economically, socially and geographically diverse community.
 

Engineering Services General Manager - Graham Cook

Graham Cook has spent his entire career with the Western Downs Regional Council after commencing with the former Wambo Shire Council in 1983.

Graham has worked in most operational areas of the Engineering Services Division and was formerly the Director of Engineering Services at the Wambo Shire Council.

Engineering Services provides construction and maintenance capability to the areas of roads, drainage, streetscapes, parks and recreation reserves. The division also provides essential services including water supply and sewerage treatment, as well as a commercial gas operation in Dalby. Internal services provided to the organisation include asset management, design services, fleet management and quarry operations.

In his role as general manager, Graham aims to provide strategic leadership to the Engineering Services Division to ensure provision of coordinated regional services to the Western Downs community and delivery of the Council’s Strategic and Operational Plans.
 

Community Services General Manager - Ed Hoffmann

With 20 years experience in senior management roles within local government, Ed Hoffmann was formerly the CEO of Chinchilla Shire Council.

The community & planning role provides the future direction of council in the form of Community Development & coordination of new industry as the communities develop across the region.

In his role as general manager, Ed hopes to create vibrant and expanding communities that are able to facilitate and attract new business and industry, while at the same time meeting the challenges of a growing regional community and respecting the existing culture of local communities and the natural environment.

This role includes town planning, development & assessment, building certification, public health, waste and animal management, natural resource management, facilities asset management & maintenance, health services (health & wellbeing, HACC & aged care), arts and culture development and sport & recreation development.