2017 has well and truly started with gusto. Welcome back everyone; I hope that you are refreshed and reinvigorated having spent quality time with loved ones and friends over the holiday break.

IPWEA ended the year on high note releasing the nine-month research project, the Street Lighting and Smart Controls Industry Roadmap, which is receiving wide acclaim with close to 600 copies downloaded by Mayors, CEOs, lighting suppliers, energy providers, government representatives and so many other stakeholders. If you haven’t downloaded your free copy yet (www.slsc.org.au / www.slsc.org.nz) ,you are missing out on the most definitive scorecard report on this sector ever undertaken in Australia. The 15 recommendations are being used to formulate and guide government policy and action. It is receiving world-wide recognition.

The accompanying website portal which was simultaneously released contains a wealth of information for councils and industry alike.

If you are in the lighting and smart controls industry there is only one must do this year. The 3rd International Street Lighting + Smart Controls Conference in Brisbane on 14 – 17 March 2017 is the definitive technical education and knowledge transfer event of this year. Keynote speakers from the US, UK, Germany, France, Asia and NZ will be discussing the learnings and experiences from more advanced countries and how Australia can benefit and perhaps even leap-frog ahead in LED and smart controls deployments. IPWEA is bringing the world’s best to you, so don’t miss it.www.streetlightingconference.com.au 

We have commenced work on the Model Specification for Street Lighting, together with its companion document Model Specification for Smart Controls. These will both be launched at the conference. Other key projects on-foot are the imminent releases of the new Practice Note on Useful Life; Parks’ Level of Services; and we will shortly be commencing work on the Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Assets and their Useful Life.

A busy start to the New Year, and a positive one.

Robert Fuller
CEO, IPWEA Australasia