Member Profile, Darcy Stevenson

Darcy Stevenson

Darcy Stevenson worked across the public and private sector prior to taking on his role as a Civil Design Engineer in the Road Infrastructure Design – Project Development team at Logan City Council in late 2020. He graduated in 2016 with a Civil and Environmental Engineering degree from Queensland University of Technology.

What inspired you to study engineering and civil in particular?

As a teenager, I was always fascinated about how high rises were able to stand up, why they don’t fall over in the wind, and how they can be built so close together. I also enjoyed physics in high school and finding solutions to difficult maths problems. I didn’t know this was civil engineering until a few years later, when my maths teacher suggested I should be an engineer. After some researching about engineers, I found that civil engineers have influenced our day-to-day life without many people even knowing about it, from roads, sewer systems, dams and water supply, to even the guttering on our roofs. I knew that I wanted to be a part of an industry which has the wideranging ability to benefit as many people as possible.

What inspired you to enter the public works industry?

I wanted to enter the Public Works industry because you work on projects which can shape the entire community for the next 20 to 30 years or more. I wanted to know that my work had a positive impact on as many people as possible. Growing up in Logan City Council area all my life, I saw the way the community has changed over that time. With much more development and activity happening in Logan, I knew there was an opportunity to work on large-scale projects and give back to my community.

My role as a Civil Design Engineer is mostly focused on the major road design space, and it is rewarding to know that in the future, myself, and thousands of others each day, will be driving on the roads that I am design managing today.

What didn’t they tell you at university which you had to quickly learn on the job?

There were many things that a degree teaches you, and there are 100 more things a degree doesn’t teach you. One thing I didn’t realise was just how important interpersonal skills are. Engineering is not just about using a calculator and entering some numbers into a formula (which is exactly what you do at university), but it is also about being able to communicate with clients, having difficult conversations, networking with other professionals, and even being able to understand office politics.

I achieved First Class Honours for my degree, finishing with a 6.625 GPA. While this was a fantastic achievement, no one cared after the first week in the industry. I had to learn that being smart wasn’t everything, and that there was more to engineering than my calculator.

What projects or services have you been involved with i.e which ones do you point out to family and friends?

My favourite project to tell friends is about a Sewer Asset Maintenance Plan I managed for a regional council. The Council ordered and provided CCTV footage of several kilometres of sewer pipe, which I then had to watch a sample of and undertake a condition assessment. We saw many different and interesting objects in the sewer system, and the project facilitated open discussion in the office about human waste management which is often a taboo topic.

Darcy reviewing plans for a community consultation event.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I enjoy the fact I can exercise my degree in both the civil and environmental space. I enjoy the challenge of implementing

Darcy checking finished levels of water pipe.

the sustainability concept of the ‘triple bottom line’ in my road designs. Trying to find the right solution which balances the needs of the community and the impact of a road upgrade to the adjoining residents, environmental concerns and mitigating potential flooding impacts caused by the road, all while managing expected construction costs and finding value for money to our customer - the ratepayer. My goal as a civil and environmental engineer is to ensure we progress our civil infrastructure in a more sustainable manner.

Where do you see yourself five years from now?

I can see myself still in Logan City Council, working on the major roads program. I would also like to have my RPEQ status to open up further doors for me and potentially allow me to manage a small team of young engineers who I can teach and mentor, just like I have had teachers and mentors in my career.

What is your dream job?

If I could do absolutely anything, my dream job would be to become a professional tennis player travelling the world and winning grand slams. If I am to be more realistic, my dream job is one where I can work on the design and management of large-scale infrastructure projects, and still be able to go home at the end of each day, not having to think about work.

What do you think will be your legacy?

I would like to think my legacy will be as an engineer who was knowledgeable and proactive, a good mentor and teacher to the younger generation, and one who liked to have a good time and a laugh.

How has your membership of IPWEAQ benefited you? What do you enjoy most about our community?

I have benefited the most from the IPWEAQ Knowledge Centre. I often find myself in the knowledge centre researching topics relevant to my projects and trying to understand how other Councils have managed a similar design situation. The ‘ask your mates’ forum is also particularly beneficial, with access to knowledge-sharing right across the state on a huge range of interesting and relevant topics.