Kanchana Withana | Principal, Civil Design Pty Ltd
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Member Division:
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Victoria
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Q: How long have you been a member of IPWEA?
A: About 6 years
Q: What are the benefits of being an IPWEA Member?
A: IPWEA members through various events and forums get to know the challenges, opportunities, and what is going on in public works engineering.
Given the rapid pace of change it is important to know your surroundings and be able to foresee challenges.
As a consultant providing service to local governments, being able to provide relevant and efficient solutions is especially important.
Being a part of IPWEA you are a part of a group that has common interest and can advocate for matters relevant to Public Works Engineers.
Q: What is the core reason you renew your membership?
A: IPWEA provide public sector specific CPD opportunities and is a great place to network with public works engineers.
Q: What do you feel is the main benefit for you, in relation to your role/career?
A: Networks established through IPWEA have enabled me to collaborate on some innovative projects.
I have been able to transfer some of the knowledge gained from various training events to productive outcomes almost immediately. Although I am mostly a design engineer, the asset management skills gained thru IPWEA has helped me look at the entire process holistically.
I was also lucky enough to be chosen as the IPWEAVic Engineer of the Year in 2016.
Q: Has being an IPWEA Member had any direct influence on your career progression? If so, how?
A: Yes, since becoming a member of the IPWEA, I was able to function as the Principal Design Engineer at City of Monash and now operate my own consultancy, Civil Design Pty Ltd.
I have also had the opportunity to work on some interesting and innovative projects during this period. Listed below are some highlights.
- Development of low-cost root barrier in collaboration with Swinburne University with an international patent to City of Monash.
- Smart City project in collaboration with Monash University.
- Collaborate with SPARCHub on testing performance of environmentally friendly asphalts.
- Innovative flood mitigation works.
Q: Have you undertaken any IPWEA training or courses in your time as a member? If so, how has the IPWEA education experience enhanced your career?
A: Through IPWEA I have had the opportunity to learn from various seminars, other training events and meet remarkably interesting people.
These have broadened my thinking to approach challenges from different perspectives.
Q: What was your highlight from the IPWEA learning experience?
A: The Leadership Programs give a good insight and overview of the operations of non-engineering departments withing the Council.
Q: What would be your advice to someone considering an IPWEA membership?
A: For anyone in Public Works Engineering, there is no better place to find out what is happening in the sector and have access to specific training.
The forums are a great place to run your ideas pass piers and seek feedback. The Public Works Engineering community is incredibly open and has no hesitation in sharing.