The longest serving member of the Building Services team is hanging up his work boots and safety gear.

Robbie Ludlow, Technical Support Officer, has had two jobs in his career and after 40 years in the second role he’s ready to retire.

“In 1978 I started work as a plumbing and drainage inspector for the Dunedin Drainage and Sewerage Board, which later became part of the Dunedin City Council. Before that I was a plumber and drain layer.”

Robbie says things have changed a lot over the past four decades.

“When I started there were no computers, everything was paper based. The introduction of the building code was another big change. That was a learning curve for the whole industry. I think Dunedin was ahead of the game though, we had plumbing and drainage experts come from Australia to get the industry up to speed.”

Amalgamation was another notable change, with eight local authorities, including the Dunedin Drainage and Sewerage Board, amalgamating to form the new Dunedin City Council in 1989.

The best part of his job, and the thing he’ll miss most? “I’ll miss the people. I’ve enjoyed working with my fellow employees, tradies, surveyors and contractors,” he says.

Robbie finishes at the DCC on 22 June. He’s already got plenty planned for retirement in particular spending more time following his motorsport passion.

“I’ve got a lot of work to do at home, and I’m looking forward to sleeping in on icy mornings.”

Robbie's wealth of knowledge and expertise in particular in the effluent and subdivision area will be sorely missed, along with his great wit and sense of humour.

All the best for your retirement Robbie.