IPWEA Blogs

The science of safer roads *Sponsored content

By intouch posted 5 days ago
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On our roadways an accident can happen in the blink of an eye, whether you are a pedestrian at a crossing or driving down a lonely highway. At any given moment our destiny can be shaped by our actions or those of others. According to the World Health Organisation, the lives of approximately 1.35 million people are cut short every year as a result of a road traffic crash. Between 20 and 50 million more people suffer non-fatal injuries, with many incurring a disability as a result of their injury. Although there are many elements to road safety, the ultimate goal is the same all over the world – that is, to work towards achieving zero deaths and serious injuries ...
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Safety culture transformation towards zero harm

By intouch posted 6 days ago
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The nature of Interflow’s work  renewing deteriorated pipelines  means a high-risk work environment is unavoidable. But a revitalised direction and a focus on managing safety will reduce potential harm. With more than 450 field staff spread across the country, Interflow Health, Safety and Environment Executive Manager Adrian Smith said it’s vital to create a culture that focuses on managing and understanding risk across the organisation.   When Smith joined the company in 2017 and embarked on a tour of Interflow’s regional offices, he discovered different locations had different standards, often revolving around their clients’ expectations. His time on ...
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Case study: The power of visualisation for asset management

By intouch posted 6 days ago
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Asset management organisations need to juggle limited resources, a wide asset portfolio, and high community expectations. To tackle these complex issues, Transport Canberra and City Services (TCCS) combined data visualisation with government statistics to reveal how to manage its playspaces to meet community expectations and optimise its resources. TCCS sought to move away from traditional asset management strategies by partnering with tech firm Assetic for a pilot study on the management of its 665 playspaces across Canberra. This study used data to optimise $1.9 million in funds supplied by the ACT Government through the Better Suburbs Program. The project ...
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The 5 procurement trends for 2019

By intouch posted 6 days ago
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By Alex McLeod and Goran Gelic, DWF Australia Government procurement in Australia has undergone significant changes in recent years. The new year seems to be firming up the procurement trends that materialised in 2018 – or earlier – and are expected to gain further momentum in the coming months. Here are the top five procurement trends to look out for in 2019. 1. Collaboration  For many years now, the rise of collaborative contracting and its positive impact on the procurement process has been projected as a procurement trend. In 2018, we saw the NSW Government release its 10 Point Action Plan for the construction industry. Importantly, the plan encourages ...
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Cycling infrastructure ‘effective’ – but local gov is using less of it

By intouch posted 6 days ago
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By Peter Damen, CEO Level 5 Design Local streets provide a place where the community can access their homes and other local destinations and are an active place to walk, cycle, play, relax and interact. They support local land use and community activity and are part of the public open space network. Local area traffic management (LATM) is involved with the planning and management of traffic on local streets, using physical devices, streetscaping treatments, placemaking and other measures. The purpose of LATM is to reduce traffic volumes and speed in local streets, to increase amenity and sense of place, and to improve safety and access for residents and ...
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Environmental green light for tyre recycler’s Toowoomba plant

By intouch posted 6 days ago
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Tyre recycler Green Distillation Technologies (GDT), which has developed world-first technology that transforms old tyres into oil, carbon and steel, has received approval for their proposed Toowoomba plant from the Queensland Department of Environment and Science. GDT’s Chief Operating Officer Trevor Bayley said that they expected the actual development approval for construction of the plant to come before the Toowoomba Regional Council before the end of the month. “After that, the final hurdle we face is the Queensland Government grant that we have applied for to help fund the $10 million construction bill and if that comes through we could start preparatory ...
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SA Government to completely outsource road maintenance

By intouch posted 6 days ago
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South Australia will soon release a seven-year tender for the maintenance of the state government’s entire 23,000-kilometre road network. Treasurer Rob Lucas said the move to outsource the state’s roadworks would save taxpayers up to $9 million each year from 2021/2022. The tender will not include council roads. Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) staff currently perform about 40% of the state’s road maintenance works; Lucas said no jobs would be lost as a result of the tender. “It’s important to reiterate that everyone who currently has a job with the department, and wants a job when these contracts start, will have a job,” he ...
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Case study: Securing Wellington's water supply against earthquakes

By intouch posted 7 days ago
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The Wellington Fault is widely considered to be one of New Zealand’s most alarming natural hazards. Running directly beneath the country’s capital city, scientists predict there’s about a 10% chance it will rupture within the next 100 years. That’s why Wellington Water is acting now to build resilience into its operations and the local community. If a 7.5 magnitude earthquake were to hit New Zealand’s capital today, parts of the city and surrounds would likely be without drinking water for 100 days or more. Wellington’s water supply network is fragile. If a 7.5 magnitude earthquake were to hit New Zealand’s capital today, parts of the city and ...
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IPWEA FLEET team additions

By intouch posted 12 days ago
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As reported in the January 2019 edition of FLEET intouch , IPWEA FLEET was looking to expand our capacity through the appointment of part time specialist partners. The appointment of two IPWEA FLEET Consultants is part of our succession and long-term resource planning. IPWEA is delighted to announce that we have retained the services of two talented and experienced professionals to continue to grow and enhance the resources IPWEA provides to the fleet community.  Ken Goldberg Ken has significant fleet industry involvement and currently serves as Queensland Chapter Committee Chair with the Australasian Fleet Management Association. He draws on a ...
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Ask Your Mates: Telematics talk

By intouch posted 12 days ago
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The IPWEA FLEET Ask Your Mates online forum is a great way to share information and find out what your colleagues in the industry are doing. Find out more here. Here’s one we picked up on Telematics from Cindy at Tea Tree Gully: Hi fellow fleet and plant gurus,  We are looking at implementing telematics into our fleet. Whilst still in the early stages of scoping I would love to hear from anyone who has some handy hints to help with smooth roll out. Spec writing, works with union and surveillance laws or any words of advice are all appreciated.  Thanks in advance! Cindy McDougall Fleet Management Officer Michael Graham Mercurian  Hi Cindy ...
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And the winner of the IPWEA Fleet Award is...

By intouch posted 12 days ago
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Alexander Wakefield of Bega Valley Shire Council is the 2019 recipient of the IPWEA Fleet Award. This award is presented to the highest ranked individual completing the Fleet Management Certificate for the year. Alexander won complimentary access to the full IPWEA Australasian Fleet Conference and was presented with a framed certificate at the opening ceremony. Congratulations Alexander!  Two industry stalwarts awarded the IPWEA FLEET Outstanding Service Award IPWEA FLEET Council Chair Steven Colliver and Deputy Chair Andrew Railz were awarded the IPWEA FLEET Outstanding Service Award at the 2019 Australasian Fleet Conference in Brisbane. The award ...
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How technology is leading the way for fleet operators

By intouch posted 12 days ago
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By Jim French, Australasian Solutions Specialist at Teletrac Navman Technology is fast becoming a standard and no longer the future of businesses that operate fleets. Evident from this year’s IPWEA Australasian Fleet Conference last month, public and private government organisations, industry experts and technology providers gathered to discuss the big issues affecting the industry. Opportunities to cut costs, improve safety and comply with regulation were all big topics. Yet the most consistent theme was how much telematics has become an ingrained part of today’s government fleets. Getting on with the job Amongst speakers and panellists like Peter ...
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Internal Combustion column: If you want more, pay more!

By intouch posted 12 days ago
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Give me a break! Do you think the fleet department has a bottomless pit of money and people? "Can you please pickup my car and take it to the dealer for servicing?" "Can you please loan me a car for a project I’m doing for the next two months (read two years)?" "Can you please add a tow pack to my vehicle (suitable for towing my boat)?" "Can I borrow the trailer this weekend?"  When will people learn! The fleet is about supporting business needs. We commit to provide a defined level of service based on an agreed budget. Sure, everyone likes a favour, and that’s fine, but if we can’t accommodate the request don’t gripe that we don’t provide a good service. ...
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IPWEA member profile: Scott Owen

By intouch posted 12 days ago
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The fleet management industry has such a diverse range people and roles, and everyone has a unique story of their journey in our industry. This month we talk to Scott Owen, Manager Fleet Solutions at Brisbane City Council FI: How did you get started in fleet and plant, and what was your first job in the industry? SO: I was sponsored on a 457 visa and came over from the UK, from the British Army, to work for one of Australia’s leading equipment hire companies where I was responsible for over 14 sites throughout central Queensland, managing the fleet, utilisation, optimisation and maintenance FI: Tell us about your role and the kind of fleet and plant ...
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IPWEA FLEET Manager’s Column: Thanks for a great conference

By intouch posted 12 days ago
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Professional development is critical for all professionals. Not just because it provides us with new skills and keeps us up to date with trends and innovation, but also because it can energise us, encourage us to see things differently and provide stronger links to the industry. It was with this professional development mindset that IPWEA held its third annual Australasian Fleet Conference in Brisbane on 25–27 March 2019. It is encouraging that the event continues to grow with increasing numbers of delegates, sponsors and exhibitors. The conference program focused on strategy, resources and performance and each session provided thought leadership, ideas ...
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Do you speak Fleet? Part 2

By intouch posted 12 days ago
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Last month in the Fleet e-news we wrote about the importance of a common language in fleet management and we looked at the IPWEA Fleet Asset Classification system. A common basis for communication is fundamental in all professions. So why not fleet management? Common terminology provides a consistent way of expressing our business. If we want to be able to efficiently and effectively benchmark between fleets, specify requirements, record data and analyse performance, we need to use consistent terminology. Beyond asset classification, we also need to use a common language to describe our maintenance activity. We need to describe: Why the maintenance ...
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Driving personal development at the 2019 Fleet Conference

By intouch posted 12 days ago
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Focusing on strategy, resources and performance, the third IPWEA Australasian Fleet Conference was the largest yet, with more than 200 attendees and a jam-packed exhibition hall. Fleet professionals converged on the Brisbane Royal International Convention Centre from 25–27 March to learn from a top line-up of expert speakers, network with their peers and check out the latest the industry has to offer. The conference was supported by the best of the industy, with Platinum Sponsor Hino, Gold Sponsor Volvo, Silver Sponsor Isuzu Trucks, Premium Sponsor Teletrac Navman, Bronze Sponsors Hidrive and Wex, IPWEA Platinum Partner Komatsu and Media Partner Fleet Auto ...
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Cross-sector collaboration the key to achieving SDGs

By intouch posted 14 days ago
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Australian water authorities have a history of progressing sustainable development, but working with other sectors will help the industry bring about even greater change. “The water sector has had a culture of social responsibility for a long time,” says Monash Water Sensitive Cities Research Fellow Dr Paul Satur.  “There are a wealth of initiatives extending beyond a ‘business as usual’ approach to water resource management that are having positive outcomes for things like public health, mitigating climate impacts, and social issues such as  supporting gender equality. ” But individual water authorities can’t bring about change on their own. Instead, ...
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$500m for station car parks? Other transport solutions could do much more for the money

By intouch posted 14 days ago
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Nathan Pittman , University of Melbourne ; Crystal Legacy , University of Melbourne ; John Stone , University of Melbourne , and Rebecca Clements , University of Melbourne Half a billion dollars sounds like a lot of money, but that really depends on what you’re spending it on. In Tuesday’s federal budget, the Coalition government announced its Commuter Car Park Fund , a A$500 million package intended to make it easier for people in the suburbs and regions to drive to their local railway station. With more than a million Australians using public transport to get to work each day, demand for car parking at the station is virtually insatiable. ...
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SLSC Conference wrap-up: Illuminating the path to smart cities

By intouch posted 17 days ago
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Featuring nineteen world-class international speakers, 20-plus exhibitors and an astounding line-up of sponsors, the 4th International Street Lighting and Smart Controls Conference has successfully delivered on its promise to bring clarity to the complex area of LED street lighting and smart controls.  Held every two years as part of IPWEA’s Street Lighting and Smart Controls (SLSC) Program, the conference focused on providing delegates with the next steps needed to accelerate the rollout of large-scale street lighting and smart control deployments.  The more than 200 attendees present at the conference represented: Councils and council organisations ...
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