Next week IPWEA presents the single largest and most definitive knowledge transfer on street lighting and smart controls ever seen in Australia through the Street Lighting + Smart Controls Conference in Brisbane (14-17 March).  

While we have a very strong representation from leading councils keen to learn more and play a role in changing the system for the better, with over 200 delegates attending the conference, it never ceases to amaze me at the responses or excuses that we have received from many councils that we have approached that should be there. 

Here's some of the best answers we've had about not attending the conference:

"I can't put you through to the right person, because I don't know who that would be." 

"We don't know who to send because we don't have much to do with street lights except pay the bill.

"Our ROC will look after all the lighting stuff for us." 

"I guess someone will tell us what we need to know." 

And, the oldest one in the book:

"I'm too busy." 

These show that many in the industry don't know what they don't know, and worse, perhaps don't want to know. Even to be an informed purchaser is to improve the performance of your council when it comes to switching to LED and smart controlled street lighting.  

Nationally, Australian councils could save more than $100 million per annum by switching. By any measure, there are saving to be made for your council. This means extra dollars to spend on your asset management plans extending the useful life of your assets. It means reduced GHG emissions. It demonstrates council leadership. It gives you metadata that you can rely upon to make decisions. 

The attendance of Assistant Minister for Cities and Digital Transformation Angus Taylor demonstrates the importance of this conference and commends these leading councils that are also attending. 

I hope to see you there in Brisbane next week. 

Robert Fuller 
CEO, IPWEA