IPWEA Blogs

Media Release: Komatsu continues their long-term commitment to IPWEA

By intouch posted 2 days ago
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Komatsu Australia, a long-term supporter and sponsor of the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia, has again signed a two-year Platinum Partner agreement. Komatsu Australia, a long-term supporter and sponsor of the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia, has again signed a two-year Platinum Partner agreement. Komatsu’s relationship with IPWEA began when it sponsored the 2003 IPWEA National Conference gala dinner. It went on to become the first IPWEA Platinum Partner in 2010, consolidating the ongoing relationship. The Komatsu IPWEA Platinum Partner agreement is primarily built around the Institute’s biennial International Public ...
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Sponsored Article: Major CPEE Initiative: Online Professional Certificate of Competency in Fundamentals of Road Construction

By intouch posted 2 days ago
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The Centre for Pavement Engineering Education (CPEE), with the support of Austroads, is launching an online ‘ Professional Certificate of Competency in Fundamentals of Road Construction ’. This Professional Certificate will deliver targeted online content relevant for graduates, technicians, operatives, and associated staff in the roads, pavements, and asset management sectors of road and transport agencies and local government in Australia.   This online learning consists of 12 modules delivered by webinar mode in 6 packages each delivered at two-week intervals. Its outcome will provide for a valuable learning and formal recognition by way of a Professional ...
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Digital twins can help monitor infrastructure and save us billions

By intouch posted 2 days ago
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Urban infrastructure – bridges, roads, railways, pipelines, power transmission towers and so on – must be inspected regularly to operate safely. Imagine if we used advanced technologies available to us, such as wireless sensors, mobile apps and machine learning, to remotely inspect and maintain this infrastructure. This could eliminate the need for regular daily inspections, save time and money for engineers and asset owners, and reduce the risks of working on job sites. Everyone has experience of working with smart devices such as mobile phones and iPads. Using these technologies to perform technical and engineering work is a game changer. ...
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Billion-dollar boost to building and construction in Victoria

By intouch posted 2 days ago
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The Victorian Government has paved the way for more than $1 billion worth of job-creating building projects to begin in the hope they will help kickstart the economy. The Government’s Building Victoria’s Recovery Taskforce has fast-tracked seven projects , all of which have now received planning approval. As the state continues to recover from the economic impacts of the coronavirus crisis, these projects are vital during the construction phase and long afterwards. “Now more than ever, Victoria needs a strong building and development sector, and we’re making sure this industry can continue to thrive all over the state, despite the challenges of coronavirus,” ...
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Wyndham City introduces its first Smart Parks and Precincts

By intouch posted 2 days ago
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Smart technology has been deployed across three Wyndham parks and facilities in an innovative pilot project that aims to provide a better overall experience for residents of the area in Melbourne’s outer south-west. Wyndham City has installed smart technology at Wyndham Park in Werribee, Greening the Pipeline Pilot Park in Williams Landing and Central Park Community Centre in Hoppers Crossing as part of its Smart Parks and Precincts Project. Wyndham City’s Smart City portfolio holder, Councillor Aaron An, says the trial includes a mixture of public Wi-Fi, smart phone charging stations, smart bins, smart barbecues and equipment temperature sensors to improve ...
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Women in Local Government receive Federal COVID support

By intouch posted 2 days ago
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The peak body for local government officers will receive a share of $1.8 million in Commonwealth Government funding to support women’s economic security in the local government workforce during the COVID-19 recovery. “Local Government Professionals Australia is proud to be partnering with the Office for Women on this crucial piece of work,” says CEO of the local government peak body, Clare Sullivan. “We already know that COVID-19 has severely impacted councils and their staff, as well as the services they offer everyday Australians. Most acutely though, we’re finding that women in the workforce are disproportionately impacted by crises like the pandemic.” ...
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Goodwood wood waste recycling plant in Bay of Plenty, Waikato set to expand

By intouch posted 2 days ago
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An extra 4,000 tonnes of offcuts and scraps of untreated wood per year will soon be able to be recycled into useful products such as horticultural and garden mulch, playground safety surfacing and animal bedding as a result of a NZ$660,000 investment from the Waste Minimisation Fund . “New Zealanders care deeply about our environment. Goodwood Limited is a great example of our circular economy in action – producing high quality products from off-cuts and waste that would otherwise go to landfill,” says New Zealand Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage. “The new funding allows Goodwood to expand their capacity by 50 per cent, through the purchase ...
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Study reveals dual impact of technology on worker's mental health

By intouch posted 2 days ago
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With millions of people working from home throughout the coronavirus outbreak, new research has identified key strategies to safeguard mental health including following a regular routine and turning off unnecessary notifications on devices. Led by researchers from the University of Sydney Business School, the peer-reviewed research synthesises existing studies on how technology-driven changes at work will impact workplace mental health and employee wellbeing. Published in the  Australian Journal of Management ,  the paper reviewed over 100 studies to examine why technology is a “double-edged sword”, impacting workers and businesses in both positive ...
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Media Release: Thirty billion reasons to get local infrastructure right

By intouch posted 8 days ago
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2 July 2020 The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) is partnering with the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA) to address the country’s $30 billion national local government infrastructure backlog. The two organisations will work together – and with local councils around the country – to produce the “National State of the Assets” (NSoA) report providing detailed and informed analysis of local government-owned assets. The last NSoA report put the cost of renewing and replacing roads, bridges, stormwater drainage, water supply, waste-water treatment plants, parks, and buildings classified as being in poor and very poor condition ...
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IPWEA Vic - President's Message

By VIConnect posted 9 days ago
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Hello and welcome to FY21! FY20 brought with it some challenges but we’re facing them together and looking forward to better times ahead. In the meantime, enjoy our new-look VIConnect newsletter and be inspired by the following Leadership Statement from our colleagues at Engineering NZ, the NZ Institute of Architects & the Association of Consulting Engineers NZ. Great words; great messages and great sentiments that I encourage you all to embrace: Covid-19 has caused massive disruption and change to the world as we know it. As a nation we united to fight the virus and showed that together we are stronger. The future is not what we thought ...
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IPWEA Vic Member Spotlight - Steven White

By VIConnect posted 9 days ago
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Steven White | General Manager Infrastructure, Whitehorse City Council Member Division: Member Status: Victoria Fellow Q: How long have you been a member of IPWEA? A: Member since 1994, Fellow since 2017 Q: What are the benefits of being an IPWEA Member? A: I joined IPWEA for professional development and networking opportunities. IPWEA provides access to a range directly relevant conferences, seminars, programs and information. IPWEA has also connected me with others in the sector that I would otherwise have not met. As I have progressed in my career, I have taken the opportunity be actively involved in IPWEA activities. ...
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Member profile: Natasha Bailey - First to graduate digital badge AM 204!

By Freda Wells posted 10 days ago
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Digital Badge AM 204 has it's first official graduate! Natasha Baldwin recently gained the prestigious title of First Graduate – of IPWEA NZ’s 4 th Digital Badge to be released, ‘ AM 204 – Asset Management Enablers ” .  IPWEA NZ's Communications Manager Freda Wells caught up with her to ask what she thinks of the badges so far. FW: What is your educational background in? NB: I have a BSc in Chemistry and Geology and I am nearing completion of my Post Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management. My work experience has included working in the oil and gas industry, mining industry and regulatory compliance.   FW: What is your ...
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Implications of COVID-19 on 2020 IPWEA NZ Events

By Freda Wells posted 12 days ago
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The IPWEA NZ Board met recently to discuss the implications of COVID-19 on IPWEA NZ's scheduled events for 2020. After careful consideration the Board made the following decisions:   NAMS Forum 2020 - 2 & 3 November The biennial NAMS Forum 2020 will continue as planned in Rotorua this November. The theme of NAMS 2020 is Challenges | Opportunities | Connections. Abstract submissions are currently invited, due July 15th. Click here to find out more.   IPWEA NZ Conference 2020 - 2 - 4 December The 2020 IPWEA NZ Conference will continue as planned in Dunedin this December. More information and to register ...
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First organic waste projects to power Victoria

By intouch posted 16 days ago
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The Victorian Government has announced two Renewable Organics Networks projects to reduce waste going to landfill by using organic waste to produce electricity. The networks will transform organic municipal and trade organic waste into renewable energy and by-products, such as soil enhancers, for agricultural purposes. With a facility being built at the Colac Water Reclamation Plant and another under development for the greater Geelong area, the projects will create more than 80 new jobs across the construction and ongoing facility management stages. The projects, to be delivered by Barwon Water, will create a circular economy for the region’s organic ...
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Sponsored Article: Enhance Your Credibility and Career Prospects in 2020: CPEE Online Higher Education

By intouch posted 16 days ago
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​ The Centre for Pavement of Engineering Education (CPEE) offers online higher education programs providing formal recognition of the gaining of continuing professional development (CPD). A growing number of CPEE graduates are filling top pavement design and road construction related roles because of their enhanced skill set. However, with the significant infrastructure projects underway across Australia, and more in the pipeline, there is even more need for engineers to increase their expertise and knowledge in the work environment. If you're looking to enhance your value and play a key role in this period of major infrastructure projects, now is a ...
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NRSPP releases first Organisational Road Safety Campaign and free Tool Box Talks

By intouch posted 16 days ago
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​ The National Road Safety Partnership Program (NRSPP) is a national collaborative program on road safety that draws on the strengths of existing programs and initiatives, whilst encouraging better practice, innovation and shared learning. It aims to help Australian organisations develop a positive road safety culture and, in turn, become an example for others to enhance road safety nationally. The NRSPP has developed a campaign with the theme “What’s On Your Mind? No Distraction” and at the same time made available a range of evidence-based resources called Tool Box Talks which enable organisations to engage in a conversation with its workers on key road ...
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COVID-19 pandemic spurs fast-tracking of new bike lanes in Melbourne and Sydney

By intouch posted 16 days ago
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​ The City of Melbourne is working to fast-track the delivery of 40 kilometres of bike lanes to help people travel safely and support city businesses to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Cycling in metropolitan areas is key to reducing passenger numbers on public transport, which has reduced capacity while social distancing measures remain in place. Lord Mayor Sally Capp says the City of Melbourne will deliver adaptable bike lanes that can be constructed and installed more quickly to provide more space for people riding bikes. “Riding and walking have increased in popularity during the pandemic. As people return to the city, they will ...
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Five female engineers reveal why they love their job

By intouch posted 16 days ago
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​ In Australia, women make up just 12 per cent of engineers. At school level, girls perform just as well as boys in maths and science, but stereotypes about STEM see relatively few women qualify as engineers as adults. Yet engineering offers a uniquely rewarding career for anyone who is passionate about solving the world’s problems. To mark International Women in Engineering Day (June 23), we speak to five talented IPWEA members about why they pursued a career in engineering, the future of their profession, and why they love their job. Rita Excell, ADVI Executive Director | IPWEA President:  As a Civil Engineering graduate, my first role was in ...
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Government commits another $1.5 billion for “shovel-ready” infrastructure

By intouch posted 16 days ago
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​ Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a further $1.5 billion in infrastructure investment to drive economic activity in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.   An agreement by the Commonwealth, states and territories to speed up the approval process will see a priority list of 15 major “shovel ready” projects fast-tracked under the scheme. These projects include Inland Rail from Melbourne to Brisbane, the Marinus Link between Tasmania and Victoria, the Olympic Dam extension in South Australia, emergency town water projects in New South Wales and road, rail and iron ore projects in Western Australia. The package includes $500 million for ...
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Opinion - Making your dollar go further: Why asset tracking is critical in an economic downturn

By intouch posted 16 days ago
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​ Opinion: by David Jenkins, CEO IPWEA One of the primary aims of asset management is to maximise an asset’s value throughout its lifecycle. An essential element of this process is asset tracking: the process of keeping track of an organisation’s physical assets – everything from tools to trucks and keys to computers – to save time and money. We know from feedback from IPWEA members and the wider community that the COVID-19 economic crisis is tightening budgets across the board. Local government will have less money to spend in the coming financial year, which will put pressure on asset-intense operations. In this period of economic contraction, I ...
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