IPWEA today announced it will unite the best and brightest minds in asset management to shape the future of Australia’s infrastructure at the inaugural IPWEA Asset Management Congress, to be held in Canberra, 13-16 August.

With the theme ‘Communities for the Future, Infrastructure for the Next Generation’, the Congress will bring policy makers, decision makers and asset management practitioners under one roof to discuss, debate and decide the best public infrastructure asset management principles for the next decade.

Unlike a conference, the Congress will have concrete outcomes; a communique will be sent to the Federal Government outlining the Congress’ key findings and recommendations. 

More than 200 delegates are expected; IPWEA has already received almost 100 expressions of interest prior to the Congress’ launch.

IPWEA CEO Robert Fuller said delegates should expect to get involved, be challenged, and ultimately provide direction for the future of Australia, and where appropriate New Zealand’s, asset management.

“This is not a conference. This is IPWEA Australasia, the leaders in asset management, putting a call out to the very best and brightest people in asset management. This is about leadership, forward-thinking and challenging the status quo,” Mr Fuller said.

“We know that some people will be scared by this. That’s okay – those who are prepared to be seen as thought leaders will grasp this opportunity with both hands. They will be keen, they will debate, they may even argue – but they will all have the passion and commitment to see how Australia and New Zealand can better manage our funding, management, serviceability and infrastructure deliverables.”

With IPWEA’s asset management documents used in more than 140 countries, Mr Fuller said IPWEA was perfectly placed to guide this vital discussion.

“IPWEA is the acknowledged peak industry body for asset management leadership. In fact, Australia’s and New Zealand’s reputation in asset management principles is revered around the world,” he said.

“The Government of Canada has even awarded IPWEA with funding to provide our Professional Certificate in Asset Management Planning training course to Canadian municipalities.”  

Key congress themes include:

• Public infrastructure management: the imperative for a new paradigm
• Local government’s critical infrastructure role in the economy
• Productivity Commission findings on the efficiency of regions
• Funding, managing, and delivering for our communities
• Lifting our game: ISO 55000 is aspirational, but most local government is at basic level in asset management
• Audit on Australia’s local government
• Future planning for our communities
• Vision, skills, systems, culture: is it that hard?

Registration for the Congress is open; visit amcongress.com.au now to secure your place in Australia’s infrastructure asset management history.