For Aaron MacNish, the path to public works began with a desire for a practical, hands-on career. Growing up on a farm, he was interested in how things work and was naturally drawn to STEM subjects, and this ultimately led him into the world of civil engineering. While Aaron has spent time in and out of the public sector (including a stint in consulting) he eventually returned to local government, where he has remained for the last 5 years. He found that the sector aligns well with his values of supporting his local community and “helping out the everyday man”.
Today, as the Manager of Fleet Services at the City of Wanneroo, Aaron oversees approximately 600 assets that keep the community running. He views fleet not as a standalone department, but as a critical "enabling function" that supports every municipal service, from mowing parks, waste collection and street sweeping to road maintenance.
Advocating for the Industry
When compared to private consultancy, public works engineering can often be overlooked. However, Aaron has become a vocal advocate for the industry and is on a mission to shift the "second-tier" stigma often attached to public works. He says “we're not necessarily building the shiny new things all the time.”
“Often, we're doing somewhat dull work that sits in the background, but it’s actually really important work. We should be proud of doing it well and delivering things on time and on budget for our communities.”
Aaron points out that while the industry is quick to respond to negative community consultation, it rarely proactively shares its wins. However, he is determined to help others see the immense value of the work of local government engineers, which is the essential backbone of every community, and is keen to see the sector “celebrate its wins and acknowledge our positive contributions”.
Making a Tangible Difference
One of the most rewarding highlights of Aaron's career so far has been his involvement in the Safe Active Street pilot program, which he worked on during his time at GTA Consultants as a Traffic and Transport Specialist.
The program was run by the Western Australian Department of Transport (DoT) to improve road safety and encourage community activity. As a keen cyclist, the project was close to home and Aaron commented that “it was really rewarding to actually make a real difference and to be part of the project through the concept design, community consultation, into detailed design, and then to see it get built”.
DoT Conducted extensive data collection before and after the program, and it demonstrated that the program produced a measurable increase in walking and cycling in local communities. The Department went on to win an award for the program at the IPWEA WA State Conference this year for their contribution to road safety.
Finding a Professional Community
Aaron’s commitment to the local government sector led him to seek out a professional community that represented the unique, shared challenges of his industry. He was introduced to IPWEA during his time as a graduate engineer at the City of Swan. While Engineers Australia provided a framework to support his technical competencies, he was interested in the training and professional development that IPWEA could provide that was specifically relevant for the public works industry.
It wasn’t long before Aaron was tapped on the shoulder by a colleague at the City of Swan and was encouraged to take up a leadership position as Chair of Young IPWEA WA. Since that time, his involvement with IPWEA has continued to grow, and he stepped into the role of Chair of the YIPWEA Committee in 2025. This latest position has felt like a natural evolution of his desire to lead and contribute to the growth of the next generation of public works professionals.
Advice for Graduates
For those just starting their careers, Aaron offers a simple but valuable piece of advice: "Just say yes". He attributes much of his career growth to taking opportunities before he felt 100% ready. Aaron acknowledges that while it’s necessary to work within your expertise or skill limitations, he would encourage young engineers to embrace the challenge of figuring things out as they go.
Aaron notes the "jack of all trades nature of public works means that we don’t really specialise in one particular niche but it requires a willingness to dive into everything from geotechnical engineering to stormwater management". "You’ll be sitting there forever if you wait until you're fully ready," Aaron warns. He encourages young professionals to back themselves and respect the work they do as being essential to keep our communities functioning.
Rethinking the Workforce Pipeline
Looking ahead, Aaron is passionate about diversifying the pathways into the industry. While university degrees remain essential for high-level engineering, he believes there is an "untapped resource" in traineeships, cadetships, and TAFE qualifications that could be supported by local governments.
By creating more local opportunities for school leavers to work and study within their own councils, he sees a way to strengthen both the workforce and the community. He comments that "This would enable graduates to contribute to the community that they live in, so they’re invested in doing it right and doing a good job". For Aaron, this local investment ensures that the critical infrastructure of our communities continues to be managed by people who truly care about the outcome.