*Alert* Photo gallery below
Australian local government is on equal footing with the US and Canada in terms of fleet work practices, according to the recently returned delegates from the IPWEA’s Fleet Study Tour to the region.
“I think it reaffirmed that what we are doing is really good,” said Bland Shire Plant and Workshop Coordinator Paul Glennon. “I think we are probably a bit ahead of them, to be honest, in managing our fleet.”
The similarities between the US and Canada were made apparent from the start of the trip when delegates attended the American Public Works Association Congress in Toronto. Discussion of the challenges faced by the industry highlighted the similarities between the fleet departments of the Canadian/US hosts and visiting Australian contingent.
“The people in the industry were so passionate about their roles as fleet Managers, the drive to do well was amazing,” said Temora Shire Plant and Workshop Manager Tony Hingerty.
“Problems such as aging workforce were consistently spoken about, a common issue we are facing here.”
Bundaberg Regional Council Fleet Manager Andrew Railz signed up to the trip with the goal of comparing Australian best practice with best practice in the Canada and the US.
In particular he wanted to learn more about alternative fuel vehicles. However, in his opinion the cost of implementing the infrastructure is currently prohibitive to those in the Australian market.
“I really wanted to look at alternative fuel vehicles,” said Railz. “What I found was that the infrastructure costs will probably be prohibitive for Australia.”
IPWEA delegates travelled to Toronto, Canada on the annual study tour in August to attend the American Public Works Association Congress followed by an itinerary of council and factory visits. For the first time the study tour had fleet as a focus.
A total of five delegates attended the tour with the intention of finding out more about the work practices and new equipment coming out of the US and Canada. The opportunity to network and share stories with fellow delegates was an added benefit.
IPWEA US/Canada Fleet Study Tour 2014 by Slidely Photo Gallery
Find out more about the 2014 US/Canada Fleet Study tour in the Nov-Dec 2014 edition of
PWPro. The outcomes will also be discussed at the
IPWEA November Fleet Workshops.