YOUR COMMUNITY NEWS • APR/MAY 2016 PAGE
A flood of appreciation
for Les Dearman
Next time a heavy rainstorm hits, take a moment to think
about Les Dearman. For the past 50 years, Les has been key
to addressing our region’s flood-prone zones and working
out solutions to ensure the City of Port Adelaide Enfield
remains flood free.
As a Civil Engineering Designer specialising in drainage
and stormwater management, Les started Work with Enfield
Council in April 1966 and retired in February 2016 after
almost 50 years of dedicated work.
He began his career before the age of computers; using slide
rules, pencils, drawing boards and set squares, to aid him
in his work as a junior draftsman. Through his early work in
drainage catchment calculations and designs, Les became
very skilled and passionate about stormwater management
and flood prevention.
Les says that these days computers make his job much
easier, “Technology such as 3D modelling, simulations and
mapping systems make what was previously labour intensive
and tedious work much easier and allow us to create much
more effective solutions.”
Throughout his career, Les has been involved in significant
projects across the Council area, including stormwater
catchments, the development of major commercial
developments and major residential land divisions.
Les notes that some of his proudest achievements were
in solving many long-term issues affecting the Peninsula,
“With the financial support of Council and the Stormwater
Management Authority, significant progress has been made
to resolve the majority of flooding in the Port
Adelaide suburbs.”
Les has had an outstanding career within the Technical
Services Department to the great benefit of the Enfield and
Port Adelaide Enfield communities. The City of Port Adelaide
Enfield thanks Les for his work.
You can’t touch heritage
buildings, or can you?
The City of Port Adelaide Enfield is home to over 300
heritage-listed properties. Of these, about 100 are located in
the suburb of Port Adelaide.
When it comes to development, some people say “you
can’t touch heritage buildings”. While it’s true that heritage
places have more controls, this doesn’t mean they can’t be
sensitively redeveloped. A good example is Hart’s Mill in
Port Adelaide, where the past flour shed on Mundy St has
been adapted to a community hall.
If you are interested in heritage redevelopment, you are
invited to a free presentation by award-wining Tasmanian
architect Robert Morris-Nunn – an exciting collection of
Robert’s projects can be seen at
www.circamorrisnunn.com.auThe presentation will show examples of how heritage
buildings can be adapted and reused to bring new life
to an area.
If you own a heritage-listed commercial property, you may
also be eligible for a free personal consultation with Robert
at your premises.
Presentation date yet to be finalised. If you are interested
in the presentation or the consultation, please register your
interest by calling Michael on 8405 6002.
Les Dearman, retired Civil Engineer