Project Director – Abra DeKlerk

With more nearly 25 years experience in transport planning, road design, and traffic engineering in Australia and abroad, Abra leads the South Metro Connect team as Project Director. Abra is also a member of the South Metro Connect Board, which provides guidence to the South Metro Connect project team. 

Alliance Manager – David Azzam

David has an intimate understanding of the complexity inherent in the management of road projects and over 25 years, has honed an approach towards collaborative leadership that motivates outstanding performance and delivers innovative outcomes. 

In his role as Alliance Manager, David will coordinate the project team activities and is committed to identifying a sustainable outcome.

Project Manager – Terry Pearce

Terry has worked for Main Roads Western Australia for more than 30 years in areas ranging from structural design drafting, business improvement and management systems. For the past 10 years Terry, as a project & contract manager, has been involved in the delivery of major Western Australian urban and rural road projects.

As part of South Metro Connect, Terry is responsible for the interface between Main Roads and the team, in particular to ensure that Main Roads strategic policies in the areas of sustainability and relationships are implemented on the project.

Community and Stakeholder Relations Manager – Gaye Gelok

Gaye has extensive experience in community and stakeholder engagement across some of Western Australia’s largest public infrastructure projects, including Roe 7 and the Graham Farmer Freeway.

Gaye is responsible for building dialogue between communities and stakeholders and the South Metro Connect project team.  This process seeks to build understanding of the proposal, and drive better decision making practices by ensuring community concerns and values are translated to the decision makers. 

Environment and Aboriginal Heritage Manager – Jamie Shaw

Jamie has 15 years experience in assessing the constraints and impacts associated with large scale public infrastructure projects. 

Jamie is responsible for coordinating environmental investigations, interpreting findings, and working with project designers to ensure that the project design and alignment options are environmentally compatible.  He will also oversee the preparation of the environmental approval documentation.

Jamie also leads a team of specialist heritage consultants who are mapping the cultural history of the area.  As part of this process, Jamie will consult with the Traditional Owner groups to ensure that Aboriginal heritage values of the area are understood and respected, and the impacts of the project are eliminated or minimised.

Engineering, Planning and Design – Tony Louden

Tony is a civil engineer with  more than 30 years experience in the provision of civil infrastructure.  A major part of this has been in the planning, design and construction of major highways. Working in both rural and urban environments, Tony has led numerous teams through the design and statutory approval processes.

As part of the South Metro Connect management team, Tony is responsible for managing a multidisciplinary team of engineers and designers as they investigate design and alignment options for the Roe Highway extension.