Western Downs Regional Council Works Manager Sam Fitzgerald has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Young Manager of the Year by Local Government Managers Australia (LGMA) Queensland.
Presented at the LGMA Queensland Awards for Excellence held in Brisbane on 23 May, the honour recognises Mr Fitzgerald's outstanding leadership, innovation, and unwavering commitment to improving road safety and infrastructure across the Western Downs.
Western Downs Regional Mayor Andrew Smith said Sam's professionalism, vision, and commitment to delivering better outcomes for our community is an inspiration.
"Sam is responsible for the maintenance management of Queensland's largest local government road network, spanning a geographical area the size of Switzerland," Mayor Smith said.
"He manages a team of over 80 staff and leads by example to ensure the region's roads, footpaths and bridges are safe, functional and durable.
"Our 10,000km road network accommodates more than $11.52B in freight annually and the role Sam and our works team play in keeping our roads productive and our travellers safe is immeasurable.
"On the Western Downs, our roads are constructed on some of the most challenging and diverse soil profiles in the country, and our works team does a fantastic job managing the upkeep."
Mr Fitzgerald commenced his tenure with Council in 2016 and in three short years he was promoted to Works Manager Maintenance.
Mr Fitzgerald said he was honoured and humbled to receive the award at the annual LGMA awards gala, which celebrates the best in local government management, projects, and initiatives.
"This award belongs not just to me, but to the entire Works team, who work tireless to improve our roads in a very challenging environment and strive to get the best outcomes for our community every single day," Mr Fitzgerald said.
"The team at the Western Downs Regional Council live by the philosophy that it's the people that make it every day through our culture and values.
"The effort this organisation puts into building its people up, at all levels, is incredible and I feel privileged to have both benefited from and contributed to this supportive environment.
"There are so many great opportunities to gain experience and grow through a career at Council; I'd encourage anyone to check out the current vacancies we have on offer and give it a go, Mr Fitzgerald said.
