How Russell King’s bold thinking, practical innovation and generous mentorship has shaped councils across South Australia

When Russell King first stepped into local government, he did not expect to stay long.

Fresh from a civil engineering degree, he was unsure whether a career built around rigid rules, formulas and technical manuals was the right fit. Then came a short-term maternity leave backfill role at the City of Port Adelaide Enfield.

Within a month, everything changed.

“I was in love with the work,” Russell reflects. “Dealing with the community, solving problems at the grassroots level, and using creativity and lateral thinking to solve tricky problems.”

More than two decades later, that same sense of purpose continues to drive him. Now recognised with the Outstanding Contribution to Local Government Award at the 2026 LG Professionals SA 25th Annual Leadership Excellence Awards, Russell’s career stands as a powerful reminder that infrastructure is never just about roads, drains or kerbs. At its best, it is about making everyday life better for communities.

A career built on practical impact

Across roles with the City of Port Adelaide Enfield, Adelaide Hills Council, City of Mitcham, City of Prospect, City of Unley and City of West Torrens, Russell has built a reputation as an innovator, collaborator and mentor.

His work has touched everything from land divisions and sea level rise mapping to stormwater planning, asset management, sustainable engineering and infrastructure delivery. But when asked which projects mean the most, Russell is quick to point to the simple ones.

“The quiet residential street that has old asphalt, broken kerb and busted footpath, and at the end everything is new with some lovely new street trees,” he says.

It is this grounded view of local government that has shaped his career. Big ideas matter, but so do the everyday improvements residents see outside their front doors.

Challenging the way things have always been done

Russell has been instrumental in helping move Water Sensitive Urban Design from an emerging concept into a more mainstream approach within local government engineering.

At the City of Mitcham, he championed solutions such as permeable pavements, passive irrigation, recycled materials and integrated green-grey infrastructure at a time when these ideas were often seen as untested or risky.

But for Russell, innovation is not about chasing novelty. It is about doing the thinking, gathering the evidence, planning for risk and creating practical examples others can learn from.

As one of his former managers, Geoff Hood, used to say: “Trust in God, but in all others, they must bring data.”

That phrase has stayed with Russell. His approach has always been to test, monitor, document and share, helping councils build confidence in new ways of working.

He also brings a simple question to each project: what is the “plus one” we can add? Sometimes that might be a sustainability feature. Sometimes it might be a better way to explain construction works to residents. Either way, it is about looking for the extra value that can turn a standard project into something more meaningful.

Collaboration that strengthens the sector

One of Russell’s greatest contributions has been his willingness to share knowledge openly.

Through conferences, site tours, industry events and partnerships with organisations such as IPWEA, TREENET, Water Sensitive SA and others, he has helped other councils see what is possible and adapt ideas for their own communities.

For Russell, the future of local government depends on this kind of exchange.

“We need to keep working together and sharing ideas and innovations about what worked and what didn’t,” he says. “There are a lot of great people doing great things in the sector. We just get too busy to stop and talk about them.”

His own curiosity continues to look ahead, particularly in how councils can rethink road reconstruction, reuse materials, improve subgrades and make better use of public space.

A mentor, colleague and lifelong friend

While Russell’s technical contribution is significant, his influence on people is just as important.

He is known for mentoring younger engineers, encouraging colleagues to follow their interests, connecting them with peers across councils, and giving them the confidence to present, lead and grow.

He credits many mentors and colleagues for shaping his own approach, including Wally Iasiello, Mike Goody, Les Dearman, Greg Georgopoulos, Joe Ielasi, Howard Lacy, David Waters and his much-loved Mitcham “work family”.

“I think that’s what I love about local government,” he says. “I don’t see them as colleagues, but as lifelong friends.”

A contribution that keeps growing

Receiving the Outstanding Contribution to Local Government Award has been deeply meaningful for Russell.

“It is a true honour,” he says. “To be recognised by my peers is really humbling, but it also inspires me to keep doing what I am doing and trying to share my passion and ideas with the next generation.”

His advice to others is simple: keep trying, keep asking questions, and keep connecting with peers across the sector.

“What’s the worst? You have a nice coffee catch-up with an old friend or make a new friend in the process.”

After more than 20 years, Russell’s legacy is not just in the projects he has delivered. It is in the people he has mentored, the ideas he has shared, and the communities made stronger through smarter, more sustainable infrastructure.

One project, one conversation and one “plus one” at a time.

GIF: Features winner, Russell King (various images) at the 2026 LG Professionals SA Leadership Excellence Awards Gala Dinner. Includes Russell and Kate O'Neill, LG Professionals SA President.