OH4290/1 : Part 1. Interview with James (Jim) Ian Gill in 2016 by Doug Ayre.

Summary

James (known as Jim) Gill discusses his early years, schooling and university education (University of Western Australia, Cambridge and Harvard University); graduating as a civil engineer. His engineering career commenced as a cadet with the WA Main Roads Department and he discusses the many projects he was involved with (eg bridge and road design, road funding arrangements), the major reviews of the organisation, Don Aitken. He reflects on his role as WA Commisioner of Railways (1988-1995) - the introduction of electric trains and the extension of the Perth rail network; overseeing the completion of the Perth to Joondalup railway; financial review and peformance improvements; Midland Workshop closure; and the formation of the National Rail Corporation. Appointed in 1995 as Chief Executive Officer of the Water Corporation, he discusses the challenge of water shortage in WA; removal of septic tanks and the introduction of deep sewage; the application of the Perth Water Future 50 year Plan; Waterwise Program and community involvement; consideration of issues influencing water as a major resource issue; and the role of the Water Corporation in water distribution, collection, irrigation, and water quality.