IPWEA Blogs

LDEG Standards Workshop - Celebrating Success

By Freda Wells posted 4 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
IPWEA NZ and the Land Development Engineering Group (LDEG) committee were pleased to host the Strategic Focus Workshop on subdivision standards on the 22 nd of October in Wellington. The workshop was a result of our standards survey issued in July which indicated an appetite to come together as an industry and collaborate on ideas. Around 30 industry experts attended and provided lively and passionate discussion with an aim to produce focused outcomes and actions for the LDEG committee. Challenges of the job Land development engineers play an integral part in ensuring development of land is appropriate and constructed to standard. As an industry ...
0 comments

No time to waste to boost recycling funding says LGAQ

By intouch posted 7 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
In National Recycling Week, the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) is calling on State and Federal Governments to waste no time driving greater support for local councils and resource recovery industries. In the wake of the Meeting of Environment Ministers (MEM) last Friday, LGAQ CEO Greg Hallam AM applauded the ambitious targets set, but warned they won’t be achieved without a greater financial injection for industries and marketplaces. “The need to manage our own waste and recycling is urgent as we face export bans on some recyclables, but to do this both State and Commonwealth leaders must come to the party,” Mr Hallam said. “There ...
0 comments

Collaborative action to save western ring-tail possums

By intouch posted 7 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
The future of the threatened western ringtail possum looks brighter following a proactive approach to install possum guards on Western Power’s overhead network in the south-west region of WA. Western ringtail possums are known to use the overhead power network to move from one habitat to another. This sometimes leads to contact with live lines and unfortunately possum death, as well as power outages. To minimise these risks, Western Power is working with the City of Busselton and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) on a joint initiative to safeguard possums and the network by installing fauna protection devices in areas ...
0 comments

Community grants available to reduce climate change impacts

By intouch posted 7 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
Grant applications are open until the end of January for NSW community projects supporting local action on climate change. The Increasing Resilience to Climate Change (IRCC) community grants program is providing $600,000 in its first round. Grants between $10,000 and $30,000 are available for individual projects. Community groups can partner with local councils in their applications for funding under the IRCC. The grants are funded through the NSW Government’s Climate Change Fund. IRCC grant funding has already benefited Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils for a cool suburbs rating tool and Bega Valley Shire Council to upgrade community ...
0 comments

Local government body appeals for support against cyber threats

By intouch posted 7 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
The peak organisation for local government officers has called on the Australian Government for help tackling cyber security threats. A public sector risk report based on surveys of local government CEOs and general managers saw cybersecurity jump from eighth to second place in participants’ rankings of the 13 most prominent key risks for local governments between 2018 and 2019. The JLT Public Sector Risk Report 2019 was written by the JLT Group in conjunction with Local Government Professionals Australia “While local government is the closest public service entity to the average Australian, it is also the least resourced to tackle cyber security threats,” ...
0 comments

Austroads reports on recycled plastics in asphalt and sprayed seals

By intouch posted 7 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
Do we know enough about recycled plastics yet to be laying them on our roads? A technical report on the benefits and challenges of using recycled plastics has been published in the wake of overseas countries banning the import of Australian waste and the growing interest in using recycled resources in local infrastructure.   Viability of Using Recycled Plastics in Asphalt and Sprayed Sealing Applications found that waste plastic can act as a partial aggregate replacement in bituminous mixes and a binder extender without having any significant influence on the properties of the asphalt mix. However, not all recycled plastics are suitable for bitumen modification ...
0 comments

On-demand infrastructure data service powers project precision

By intouch posted 7 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
A new location data service maps building, address, structural and other key details for engineers, architects and construction companies. PSMA Australia has announced a service using Geoscape technology that maps Australia’s economically important infrastructure. It includes buildings, addresses, planning zones, transport networks and more – all kept up to date as changes and additions are made. Clients can request the data attributes and geographical areas required on a project-by-project basis. Geoscape data covers the whole of Australia, mapping every building with a roof area greater than nine square metres and every physical address: a total of 15,421,158 ...
0 comments

Leader training grants close soon for women in engineering

By intouch posted 7 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
Women in construction and engineering can register for a scholarship worth up to $7,000 towards accredited leadership development programs starting in 2020. Advanced leadership programs presented by Women & Leadership Australia (WLA) are open for grant applications until 5.00pm on December 6. The courses are for early career managers, mid-level managers or senior and executive leaders. The programs have varying durations of up to 12 months, consisting of two-hour online modules with some face-to-face workshops. This scholarship opportunity provides women with fee support funding of between $2,000 and $7,000 per successful applicant for leadership ...
0 comments

Albany Country Meeting a success for WA Division

By intouch posted 7 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
IPWEA’s Western Australia Division held its Annual Country Meeting on November 1 in Albany. The one-day program featured sessions about major regional projects and was followed by a tour. The five presentations given on the day were:  The $140m Albany Ring Road project; Developments in remotely operated underwater vehicles in marine environments; The relationship between water, energy and food; The Yakamia Creek Wetlands project ; and The Albany Port and waterfront development . IPWEA Australasia President Mat Greskie attended the event. “The technical content was of the highest quality, current, presented in an interesting way and ...
0 comments

New IPWEA CEO announced

By intouch posted 7 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
The IPWEA Board is pleased to announce the engagement of David Jenkins as IPWEA Chief Executive Officer, commencing early December. David will join the organisation from CPA Australia and New Zealand where he has more than ten years’ experience, most recently as General Manager of New South Wales and Oceania Strategic Regional Manager. David’s strategic acumen has also contributed to his many Board positions, including the Community of Finance Professionals in NSW Local Government and the University of the South Pacific. A CEO recruitment process was initiated by the IPWEA Board following the departure of Cathy Morcom in late October.  IPWEA President, ...
0 comments

IPWEA warns of increasing knowledge gaps in its Infrastructure Australia audit submission

By intouch posted 7 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
IPWEA Australasia has responded to the Infrastructure Australia audit that was published in August as a summary of challenges and opportunities facing communities nationwide over the next 15 years. Compiled by IPWEA’s asset management specialist team, the submission focuses on the Audit’s cross-sectoral chapter: ‘Industry efficiency, capacity and capability’. In summary, IPWEA submits that: Sustainable outcomes for entities providing services from infrastructure means being able to manage likely developments and unexpected shocks in the future without needing to introduce substantial and economically significant, or socially destabilising, income or ...
0 comments

2018 Hynds Award winner builds urban resilience ties overseas

By Freda Wells posted 8 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
2018 Hynds paper Award Recipient invited to present in Mexico Irmana Garcia Sampedro, winner of the Hynds Best Paper Award for her presentation of her paper, How to plan for an earthquake event: Essential data collection approaches for underground infrastructure condition assessment” , (view here ) has been invited to present at the XIIIV Mexico, Central America and Caribe ICLEI international conference to be held in Puerto Morelos (Mexico), 27 - 29 November, 2019. ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability ICLEI is a global network of more than 1,750 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development. Active ...
0 comments

Fleet Conference Sponsorship and trade display packages are still available!

By FLEET e-news posted 13 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
IPWEA Australian Fleet Conference, 16-18 March 2020, Brisbane Royal International Convention Centre – Sponsorship and trade display packages are still available! IPWEA’s Australian Fleet Conference keeps growing bigger and better every year and the 4th annual conference with the theme ‘Fleet 2020 and beyond’ is expected to be the best yet. Planning is well advanced and the conference managers are getting tremendous support from sponsors and exhibitors. IPWEA FLEET is proud to announce the following organisations that have already committed to the upcoming conference: Partners Platinum partner – Komatsu Media partner ...
0 comments

Ask-Your-Mates (FAQ)

By FLEET e-news posted 13 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
​The following interaction was extracted from the Ask Your Mates Open Forum for Fleet & Plant Management.   Question on Internal Hire rates: “Does anyone use a standard rate for internal hire? Our council runs a system where I can easily pull a report showing hours a piece of equipment is booked and then journal the missing hours at the end of the month. But, we are always having to follow up and this is time consuming. Ideally, I would like to have all the plant and fleet on standing journals then the work groups would know how much they have to budget for the hire of internal plant each year and would force each work group to review ...
0 comments

How Telematics Can Reshape Your Fleet’s Carbon Footprint

By FLEET e-news posted 13 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
​ Written by Lou Boyle, National Manager of Local Government, Teletrac Navman Australia’s economy is dependent on the movement of vehicles, so it should come as no surprise that our CO2 emissions are the highest on record . It is estimated that Australia’s per capita CO 2 emissions are around 15 tonnes per person, which is more than the two tonnes recommended to keep global warming under two degrees Celsius by 2050. People in business across multiple industries, are acting now to prepare for the impact. As our greenhouse gas output continues to rise, businesses around Australia are looking to reduce their carbon footprint . While many businesses ...
0 comments

Internal Combustion (Angry Fleet Manager) Column

By FLEET e-news posted 13 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
To all drivers…please! please! please! Tell us if your vehicle has been damaged. I am sick of learning about damage to our vehicles and the driver didn’t bother to tell anyone. They have a responsibility to fess up if something has happened. First of all, we have a responsibility to tell our insurer about the accident because not telling may change the insurer's mind about insuring us. We may not be making a claim but we still need to let the insurer know. Second, we may need to call the police if: ​​​​​one or more of the drivers was drunk or under the influence of drugs someone was injured one or more of the cars had to be towed away the other ...
0 comments

IPWEA member profile: Peter Armour

By FLEET e-news posted 13 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
​The fleet management industry has such a diverse range of people and roles, and everyone has a unique story of their journey in our industry. This month we talk to Peter Armour, Unit Manager Plant and Fleet – Central Coast Council. Peter is also a member of the IPWEA FLEET Council. FI: How did you get started in fleet and plant, and what was your first job in the industry? PA: After leaving the Royal Australian Navy in 2001, my main motivator that resulted in me working in Plant and Fleet (funnily enough) was to simply look for a new challenge close to home to avoid the one and a half hour trip each way to where I had been working – like ...
0 comments

IPWEA FLEET Manager’s Column

By FLEET e-news posted 13 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
The interest in electric vehicles (EVs) certainly continues to grow in our industry. By Rob Wilson – Director IPWEA FLEET As I write this column, IPWEA FLEET is about halfway through the 2019 Plant and Vehicle Management Professional Development Workshop series. It’s been terrific to see so many fleet managers and other’s willing to share their knowledge and experience for the benefit of the industry. The sharing of knowledge at the workshops occurs through formal presentations and through general discussion enthusiastically engaged in by participants. This year we have had a focus on local content with each location delivering one session based on a ...
0 comments

New IPWEA CEO to be announced

By intouch posted 14 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
The IPWEA Board has recently undertaken a hiring process for the IPWEA Chief Executive Officer and will announce the outcome of the engagement in due course.  IPWEA wish outgoing CEO, Cathy Morcom, well in her future endeavours. Cathy resigned as IPWEA CEO in late October.  It was agreed between the IPWEA President and CEO that the fit wasn’t right between the CEO and the organisation. The CEO position has remained vacant during the recruitment process.  Senior management are ensuring business continuity and are liaising directly with the IPWEA President as required until a new CEO is announced.  The IPWEA Board acknowledge the organisational changes of ...
0 comments

Roads, drones and technical tours start at ALGA’s 2019 National Local Roads and Transport Congress *sponsored content

By intouch posted 19 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
Hundreds of delegates from across Australia will learn about the latest developments and trends at the  2019 National Local Roads and Transport Congress  in Hanhdorf, South Australia, from 18-20 November. Early bird registrations close at 5pm EDT on 1 November for the Congress, which is presented by the Australian Local Government Association and hosted by Mount Barker District Council. Read speaker profiles and find out about Congress experiences: Technical tours of the South Australia’s largest Council wastewater treatment plant and recycled water scheme ; Infrastructure and local roads funding; Drones; Recycled road surfaces, crumbed ...
0 comments