THE work of Simon McCuskey, in his role as Footscray Place Manager for Maribyrnong City Council, was given statewide recognition last month.
Mr McCuskey was adjudged runner-up in the category of Young Achiever of the Year in the LGPro 2007 Awards for Excellence.
LGPro is the peak body for local government professionals in Victoria and recognises outstanding achievements through the awards.
Mr McCuskey, 28, has worked with the council for the past two-and-a-half years on projects such as the Joseph Road Structure Plan, the Footscray Skyline Study and the coming Footscray Flicks.
“My job is to implement the vision that council or residents have for Footscray,” Mr McCuskey said.
“(It is) to be involved in business, advocacy programs and capital works that have a short-term or a long-term benefit.
“For instance, the mural at Footscray station, on the Irving St side, is a short-term project but the long- term vision is to improve the Footscray station.”
Mr McCuskey said every day on the job was different.
“The Joseph Rd project involved various government departments and land owners giving their opinion on how they envisaged residential, commercial and public open space development to be planned for this precinct. This involved mediating and negotiating with all parties,” he said.
He said the Skyline project involved community consultation whereas setting up Footscray Flicks required securing sponsorship for the event in addition to liaising with the State Government and businesses.
“It’s important to get people to use Maddern Square,” he said.
“It is generally idle at night and having Footscray Flicks in the square will hopefully promote use of Maddern Square and Footscray.”
Footscray Flicks is an outdoor cinema event being held in Maddern Square as part of the Taste of the West festival.
The film Hoodwinked will be shown free of charge at night as a family event.
The council’s acting CEO, John Luppino, congratulated Mr McCuskey on being runner-up for the LGPro 2007 Awards for Excellence.
“Simon is always very busy behind the scenes writing, researching and lobbying for funding,” Mr Luppino said.
“His research and community consultation skills greatly assisted council in our bid to secure funding from the State Government for the redevelopment of Foostcray station and the implementation of the Footscray Transit City Policy.
Mr Luppino said Mr McCuskey was well liked and respected by the community and his peers.
He said that Mr McCuskey was also directly involved in the community through his work as a soccer commentator for Channel 31’s Victorian Football Show on Wednesday evenings.
“We are very pleased that LGPro has recognised Simon’s achievements,” he said.
“At only 28 years old, he is well on the way to developing a fulfilling career.”
