The Whitsunday Region needs no introduction. As one of the world's most idyllic and beautiful locations, it is a destination point for visitors from across the globe and is the jewel in Australia's tourist industry. Behind the stunning scenery and natural beauty are highly focused and collaborative Council teams dedicated to ensuring the delivery of Whitsunday essential services, amenities and infrastructure that support both a thriving tourist trade, and of course the Whitsunday communities themselves. Whitsunday Regional Council is seeking an accomplished and forward-thinking engineering professional to lead the Transport & Drainage Assets department. This strategic leadership position oversees the full lifecycle management of Council's transport infrastructure, drainage, and flood infrastructure assets, ensuring the effective delivery of strategic and operational outcomes that align with Council's Corporate and Operational Plans. Set to host Olympic and Paralympic sailing in 2032, the Whitsundays are entering a new phase of growth and investment. Major initiatives such as the Hamilton Plains Flood Immunity Project, Bowen Developmental Road upgrades, and Cannon Valley Growth Corridor planning are enhancing regional connectivity and resilience. Council has adopted the Bowen Foreshore Master Plan and is progressing the Airlie Beach Master Plan towards adoption. More than $100 million in State and Federal funding has been secured in the past year. This investment supports landmark projects including the Build Whitsundays program-unlocking 3,000 new homes in the next decade across Proserpine, Bowen, and Cannon Valley- the Cannonvale Community Hub, and the Whitsunday Regional Sports Park. A key focus of the role is to define and manage levels of service for the region's transport and drainage networks, oversee strategic plans including the Integrated Transport Strategy, recently adopted Stormwater Management Strategy and Floodplain Management Plan, and ensure asset renewal and upgrade programs are based on sound data and forecasting. The position also plays a pivotal role in managing relationships with key external partners such as the Department of Transport and Main Roads, WILMAR, Queensland Rail, and Translink. Council has implemented a Capital Project Management Office under the Director Capital Program and a critical responsibility is the preparation of capital bids for renewals and new assets managed under our Project Management Framework. This is a leadership opportunity suited to a confident and collaborative professional who is both technically strong and politically astute. The successful candidate will demonstrate highly developed communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills, capable of engaging effectively with internal teams, Councillors, community members, and government agencies. The role sits within a supportive and high-performing infrastructure management team that values teamwork, integrity, and practical outcomes for the community. Council has also approved an additional Asset Planning position for this team which is out to market. Applicants must hold tertiary qualifications in Civil Engineering, be a Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ) or have the ability to obtain within 3 months of commencement, and possess relevant experience across transport infrastructure and drainage asset management, road construction and maintenance, and stormwater systems. BEFORE APPLYING, PLEASE OBTAIN THE CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK from the McArthur website, search J8560 or for a confidential discussion - call Rebecca McPhail on 07 3211 9700. Applications close Monday 1 December 2025 with the role commencing in 2026.
