Jane joined Warren Smith & Partners on the 7th September 1992 taking up an administrative role which involved working on reception and carrying out secretarial duties. In 1998, WS+P became an accredited Sydney Water Co-ordinator and soon after, the WS+P Civil department was established in 2002 allowing her to become the dedicated administrative support for the Civil team.
Jane soon became familiar with all things Sydney Water and started to learn the Sydney Water processes. Initially, assisting with Section 73 applications and working with engineers to submit design packages.
Over time, Jane gained exposure to building plan approvals and the different options and requirements around this approval, identifying constraints and potential out of scope approval requirements.
Jane has now over 20 years experience as a dedicated Water Service Co-ordinator and has developed a fountain of knowledge. With this knowledge, she provides Clients with sound advice in relation to their developments, identifying early on the Sydney Water requirements.
On a day to day basis, Jane engages in a lot of Client and Sydney Water liaison, making sure that all Sydney Water processes are followed for Section 73 applications, leading into design, onto construction, and finally to work as fully executed packages. Jane’s daily liaison educates our Clients on Sydney Water requirements so that their developments run smoothly and a Section 73 can be obtained in good time prior to occupation. As a result of Jane’s dedicated work, she has built a strong Client base and also brings in new business for the Civil & Water department, of which she also project manages.
Jane trains junior staff members on the Sydney Water processes and educates Project Managers across the business on the Sydney Water requirements.
Jane is also a keen fundraiser for causes such as RSPCA, domestic violence, Cancer Council and mental health, and has organised many fundraising event at WS+P over the years. Recently Jane has been giving Sydney Water presentations to organisations that WS+P regularly work with, to further ensure the smooth running of our Clients’ developments.
Q and A
Originally from: Harare, Zimbabwe
Favourite memory from work: It would have to be the milestones that I have crossed, my 10 year and 20 year anniversary, and I’m looking forward to my 30 year anniversary in September 2022. I like to take the time to look back and reflect on how far myself, the team and the business has come.
Best advice someone has given you: If you are going to do a job, do it properly otherwise don’t do it at all. I live by this.
What do you like most about your job: The people, from the team to our clients, even the Sydney Water people are great. I enjoy interacting with the wide range of clients from the mums and dads who don’t know much about WSC to the experienced professionals such as multinational developers and contractors. No day is the same.
Proudest project: Working on Barangaroo with Michael Cahalane, my Director. The scale of the project and the complexity involved was very rewarding.
Proudest achievement: At work, becoming a manager. In my personal life, the work I do in Zonta which involves raising awareness for women’s issues, particularly domestic violence. I was president in 2018-2019 which was a personal achievement for me. Also running the Gold Coast half marathon in 2014 deserves a mention.
Biggest challenge: At work, it would have to be dealing with the, sometimes large, difference in pace between private enterprise and public enterprise. I find I need to manage expectations quite often.
What do you like to do when you aren’t working: Reading, crochet, knitting, running and exercising. I have to mention high teas and enjoying the odd champagne.
What’s your favourite sports team: Roosters
What’s a fun fact about you people may not know: I used to be a base player in a band.