To support today’s release of the infrastructure industry’s 9-Point Plan for the next Federal Government, IPWEA has announced it is presenting a National Thought Leadership Infrastructure Think-tank next week, commencing in Melbourne (25 May) and Brisbane (26 May), to be followed by Perth (31 May) and Sydney (21 June).
The key note presenter, Jeff Roorda, is one of Australia’s foremost experts in infrastructure asset management and his 2015 State of the Assets Report has revealed that 11% of Australia’s assets managed by local government – worth approximately $47 billion are in 'poor condition', –with a further 7% being classified as 'poor functioning'.
“Our research has confirmed that the way assets are currently managed in Australia is unsustainable. We need a coherent, national strategy across all levels of government, and to work together with the private sector to develop a consistent approach to infrastructure management that will meet the needs of our nation well into the future,” Roorda, from TechnologyOne, says.
CEO, IPWEA Australasia, Robert Fuller says: “Today’s release of the 9-Point Plan on infrastructure signals that Australia can no longer afford to starve its infrastructure. IPWEA is starting the national dialogue about how we can fix our infrastructure, within our means and still provide for the future.”
The joint industry statement applauds the Government for its steps towards accelerating major infrastructure projects, but it also highlights concerns about the risk to Australia’s economic growth posed by years of under-investment in public infrastructure, which has led to much of the nation’s public infrastructure failing to meet the needs of Australian businesses and communities.
The national peak organisations agree that now is the time to take a long-term, strategic view of infrastructure investment to ensure Australia’s cities and regions remain competitive, liveable and sustainable.
IPWEA’s thought leadership think tank is open to all CEOs and business leaders who are concerned about our infrastructure and who want to contribute to new and innovative ways of addressing this $47 billion issue.
Details are available on
IPWEA’s website.