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Infrastructure projects show the need for expertise in roads, pavements and asset management* Sponsored Content

By intouch * posted 07-02-2019 11:59

  

With the boost in major infrastructure projects being undertaken across Australia, there is even more need for increased capability and knowledge in the work environment.

 
Significant infrastructure projects are being built or planned across Australia. These projects, in addition to routine and periodic maintenance, offer tremendous opportunities for skilled individuals in the key technical areas associated with the design, construction and maintenance of road pavements and major infrastructure assets. In short, the need for increased capability in the work environment means that education and training can lead to advancement opportunities for road pavement and asset management practitioners.

Significant infrastructure projects across Australia

In New South Wales, construction of the $16 billion WestConnex mega project in Sydney has passed the halfway mark. Creating more than 10,000 direct and indirect jobs, this will deliver a 33-kilometre predominately underground motorway with twin tunnels and three new bridges. Other major projects include various road upgrades as part of the Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan, the Pacific Highway upgrade, the Princes Highway upgrade, and the Nowra Bridge project.

In Victoria, construction has commenced on the $6.8 billion West Gate Tunnel, a 5-kilometre twin tunnel road project in the inner west of Melbourne. Other major road projects include a $2.25 billion M80 Ring Road upgrade and the new $1.75 billion North East Link.

In Queensland, the $8.5 billion Bruce Highway upgrade is now its sixth year of a decade long program. More than 200 projects have been completed and many more are currently under construction or in design and planning phases. Construction has also commenced on the $1.8 billion Pacific Motorway widening between southern Brisbane and the Gold Coast as well as the $152 million Smithfield Bypass in Far North Queensland.

In Western Australia, planning is underway on northern and southern sections of the $560 million Bunbury Outer Ring Road project (construction of central section was completed in 2013). Meanwhile, preliminary planning is underway on the $275 million, 66-kilometre, Great Northern Highway Bindoon Bypass.

In South Australia, construction is expected to commence in 2019 for both the next stage of the $1.6 billion Adelaide North-South Corridor as well as duplication of the Joy Baluch Bridge in Port August, costing $200 million.

In Tasmania, the long-awaited $600 million Bridgewater Bridge replacement, north of Hobart, is expected to progress with planning and design scheduled for this year and the prospect of construction to begin in 2022.

In the Northern Territory, the federal government has committed up to $180 million towards the $225 million upgrade of the 710-kilometre Central Arnhem Road upgrade. However, with most of the funding to take effect in 2022-23, construction is years away. In 2018, the federal government also committed $160 million for progressive sealing and pavement widening of sections of the 2,800-kilometre Outback Way. This cross-border route links Western Australia (Laverton) with Queensland (Winton) via the Northern Territory.

Other significant projects, comprising an airport and rail and light rail developments, are being built or planned across Australia. These include:

National: Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail ($9.3 billion)

New South Wales: the Sydney Metro ($12 billion), Western Sydney Airport ($5.3 billion), Parramatta Light Rail ($1 billion), Port Botany Rail Line duplication ($400 million)

Victoria: Melbourne Metro Tunnel ($11 billion), Melbourne Airport Rail Link ($5 billion), Monash Rail upgrade ($475 Million), Frankston to Baxter Line ($225 Million)

Queensland: Cross River Rail ($5.4 billion), Brisbane Metro ($977 million), Beerburrum to Nambour Rail upgrade ($780 million)

Western Australia: Metronet ($1.84 billion)

South Australia: Gawler Rail Line electrification ($440 million)


The need for a skilled workforce

The successful delivery of major infrastructure projects, and those of routine and periodic maintenance, requires a skilled workforce. The updating of knowledge and expertise, through education and training, leads to a more productive workplace and increased advancement opportunities for individuals.

For more than twenty years the Centre for Pavement Engineering Education (CPEE) has been providing education and training courses in the key technical areas associated with roads, pavements and infrastructure asset management.

CPEE currently offers online higher education courses that provide the opportunity to enhance knowledge and qualifications without the need to attend classrooms. CPEE online courses are a unique and convenient option for those already in the workforce where it is often inconvenient to study via face to face university courses.

All CPEE courses are very practical and encourage direct application of the skills and knowledge acquired. With most of the units incorporating the latest revised Austroads Guides, each of the CPEE programs provide up to date technical content.

New applications and re-enrolments into CPEE's targeted online programs for Semester 1, 2019 are now open. The options on offer are:

Joint University of Tasmania (UTAS) and CPEE Professional Honours program:

CPEE Postgraduate program:

CPEE also offers technical single units that may be selected to suit the need to update specific knowledge areas and become more productive in the workplace. Some of the single units include:

A full list of CPEE's units of study is available here.

CPEE is an accredited private provider of tertiary education and is well regarded by the whole of the pavement industry. CPEE Foundation Members, Austroads and AAPA, together with all state road agencies fully support CPEE endeavours. Together with close relationships with local government and the consulting sector, CPEE is recognised as the premier provider of such education and training in Australia.

For further information visit www.pavementeducation.edu.au or call the CPEE office to discuss on +61 (03) 9890 5155
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