With decades of experience working in local government fleet management, Greg Fannon at Hobart City Council has been an active contributor to the IPWEA's SYSTEMS PLUS program and discusses the changing nature of the industry.
How did you come to be working in fleet management?
I started as an apprentice diesel fitter with Hobart City Council in 1977, and since then I’ve progressed through and completed other trades and qualifications and certificates of management, finally culminating in becoming the Fleet Manager in 1997.
In your opinion, what are some of the biggest challenges facing Fleet Managers at the moment?
I would say one of the biggest challenges is keeping up to date with the ever-changing technologies and OH&S [Occupational Health and Safety] requirements in fleet management today.
Could you give an example of how they’ve changed?
With technologies, for example, there’s diesel particulate filters, electronic fuel injection, and changing coolant specifications required to maintain the engines of today with all the differing metal and aluminium components.
In OH&S, regulations have extended to encompass things such as access and egress into the vehicle cabins, operator seat comfort now and of course all of today’s supplementary accident protection devices, airbags, ABS, stability control, for which we now specify preferences to suppliers.
How do you ensure you’re keeping up to date?
We have two annual update seminars with the IPWEA, as well as regular updates with the equipment manufacturers.
Can you provide any examples of innovative fleet management practices at Hobart City Council?
We’re currently looking at the potential combination of vehicle usage, for example moving to combined tilt and tipping tray units for our small trucks, 7.5–8 tonne GVM. That way, we can load plant and equipment onto the tilt trays without the need to call in a third-party supplier to come and transport plant and equipment to and from worksites.
You were on the panel for the IPWEA SYSTEMS PLUS Plant and Vehicle Management resource. Can you tell us about SYSTEMS PLUS and your involvement?
As a member of the panel, I helped oversee the development of Systems Plus Plant & Vehicle Management Manual, which is an extremely valuable resource available for all local government fleet managers, addressing every aspect of fleet management. Panel members review the manual each year to ensure it is up to date with the latest developments in the field.
What advice could you offer to other fleet managers?
Continue to expand your horizons and consider all aspects of the changing nature of council works, with vehicles, plant and equipment in local government.