About Us

About Us


The peak association for infrastructure asset managers and professionals whom deliver public works and engineering services.



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The Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia, South Australian Division (IPWEA SA) is an independent division of the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia. IPWEA SA is a professional membership organisation providing services and advocacy for those involved in and delivering public works and engineering services to the community.

Our members include those employed by local and state government bodies, as well as consultants, contractors, and suppliers of goods, services and machinery. They are engineers, technicians, public works directors, contractors, consultants, managers, and strategic planners.

  • Purpose
    • The principal purpose of the Association is to advance excellence in public works and services in South Australia.
  • Vision
    • To support IPWEA SA members to enhance the quality of life of communities through their involvement in public works and services.
  • Mission
    • To enhance the professional capability of members to drive continuous improvement and best practice operations.
    • To develop and exchange ideas, information and technology.
    • To promote excellence in the delivery of public works and services.
    • To advance public works and services issues.

The activities and business of IPWEA SA are managed by a Board of Directors elected from the membership base. Nominations for membership of the Board of Directors are called in September each year and if nominations exceed the positions available an election by postal ballot must be held.

Governance documents such as the Strategic Plan, Annual Reports, Board Minutes, Policies, and Financial Statements are available by searching for them in the SA Library located in the “Resources” tab.

IPWEA SA Board

Click on the Board links for more information

IPWEA SA President: Ben Clark

Ben Clark

Director Works & Engineering Service at Barossa Council

M: 0404 625 145
E: Ben Clark

Ben was elected SA President in December of 2021 and has been a board member since 2017. He was Vice President from 2019-2021.

He is currently on the IPWEA Australasia Board.

Ben started in Young IPWEA and has been Vice President and President of YIPWEA Australasia.

Ben holds the following formal qualifications:

  • MBA from RMIT University
  • Master of Surveying, Cadastral & Engineering Survey from the University of South Australia
  • Bachelor of Sustainable Environments, GIS from the University of South Australia

Connect to Ben on LinkedIn.

IPWEA SA Vice President: Kathryn Johnson

Kathryn Johnson

Director Infrastructure at Port Pirie Regional Council

M: 0438 977 852
E: Kathryn Johnson

Kathryn was elected SA Vice President in December of 2021 and has been a board member since 2016. She also served as Secretary from 2019-2021.

Kathryn is the Board Representative on the Stormwater Special Interest Group.

Kathryn holds the following formal qualifications:

  • Diploma Project Management
  • Assoc Degree, Civil Engineering from University of Southern Queensland

Connect to Kathryn on LinkedIn.

IPWEA SA Treasurer: Andrew Smith

Andrew Smith

Principal Stormwater and Hydrology Engineer at Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI)


M: 0468 531 306
E: Andrew Smith

Andrew was elected Treasurer in December of 2021 and has been a board member since 2021.

Andrew holds the following formal qualifications:

  • MBA from Torrens University Australia
  • Bachelor of Engineering, Civil Engineering from the University of South Australia
  • Graduate Diploma in Municipal Engineering from University of South Australia
  • Graduate Diploma in Infrastructure Asset Management from University of Tasmania

Connect to Andrew on LinkedIn.

IPWEA SA Secretary: Madeleine Bekavac

Madeleine Bekavac

State Business Leader SA at Australian Road Research Board

M: 0402 838 912
E: Madeleine Bekavac

Madeleine was elected Secretary in December of 2021 and has been a board member since 2018.

Madeleine was elected Secretary in December of 2021 and has been a board member since 2018.

  • Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) with Honours from the University of Adelaide
  • Diploma of Management from the Australian Institute of Management South Australia

Connect to Madeleine on LinkedIn.

IPWEA Immediate Past President: Rod Ellis

Rod Ellis

Tonkin Consulting Executive Director, Principal Infrastructure Management

M: 0417 813 027
E: Rod Ellis

Rod has been a board member for IPWEA SA since 2012, and was President from 2019-2021.

Rod has been a member of the IPWEA Australasia Board since 2020.

Rod holds the following formal qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering from South Australian Institute of Technology
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of South Australia
  • Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD)

Connect to Rod on LinkedIn.

Board Member: Heather Barclay

Heather Barclay

General Manager, Assets & Infrastructure at Rural City of Murray Bridge

M: 0436 682 381
E: Heather Barclay

Heather was has been a board member of IPWEA SA since 2021.

Heather brings over 30 years of experience in Local Government, along with passion, integrity, and an authentic style to IPWEA’s SA Board. Her experience in governance, assets, infrastructure, transport, environmental and horticultural services and her representation of a rural local government are valuable assets to the board.

Connect to Heather on LinkedIn.

Board Member: Mellissa Bradley

Mellissa Bradley

Program Manager at Water Sensitive SA

M: 0431 828 980
E: Mellissa Bradley

Mellissa joined the board in August 2022, bringing a new kind of voice to the board.

Mellissa is a strong advocate for the creation of more liveable cities and towns through the delivery of urban growth and infill developments that incorporate integrated water management objectives and best practice water sensitive urban design. She has a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from the University of Adelaide.

Connect to Mellissa on LinkedIn.

Board Member: Stephen Fines-Phillips

Stephen Fines-Phillips

Group General Manager at SEM Group of Companies

M: 0417 406 035
E: Stephen Fines-Phillips

Stephen has been a board member since 2019.

Stephen had a previous stint as an IPWEA SA board member from 2005-2015.

Stephen is an Incorporated Civil Engineer and uses his 30 years of consulting and civil contracting experience in his role for both the SEM Group of Companies and for IPWEA SA.

Connect to Stephen on LinkedIn.

Board Member: Chris Haskas

Chris Haskas

Manager, Engineering at City of Mitcham

M: 0417 830 982
E: Chris Haskas

Chris has been a board member since 2017. He was a committee member of NAMS (National Asset Management Strategy) from 2019 to 2021.

Since 2021 Chris has been a committee member of IPWEA Australasia Asset Management Committee.

Chris is the chair of the IPWEA (SA) – Asset Management Special Interest Group, and has been chair since 2021.

Chris holds the following formal qualifications:

  • Foundations of Directorship from the Australian Institute of Company Directors
  • Bachelor of Engineering in Civil and Water Engineering from University of South Australia
  • Associate Diploma of Engineering Civil Engineering University of South Australia
  • Diploma of Business Management from TAFE NSW
  • Cert IV in Project Management from TAFE NSW
  • Professional Certificate in Asset Management Planning from Institute or Public Works Engineering Australasia

Connect to Chris on LinkedIn.

Board Member: Brendon Lyons

Brendon Lyons

Unit Manager, Asset Solutions at City of Marion

M: 0434 609 139
E: Brendon Lyons

Brendon has been a board member since 2020.

Brendon is part of the Asset Management Special Interest Group for IPWEA SA.

Brendon holds the following formal qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Earth Information Systems, University of South Australia
  • Professional Leadership Program, University of Adelaide
  • Certificate IV in Front Line Management, TAFE NSW
  • Diploma of Spatial Information Systems, University of South Australia

Connect to Brendon on LinkedIn.

Board Member: Andrian Wiguna

Andrian Wiguna

General Manager Infrastructure Services at Campbelltown City Council

M: 0437 320 572
E: Andrian Wiguna

Andrian has been a board member since 2019.

Andrian is the board representative on the innovation special interest group.

Andrian holds the following formal qualifications:

  • Master of Engineering in Construction Management from Swinburne University of Technology
  • Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering from Swinburne University of Technology

Connect to Andrian on LinkedIn.

Board Member: Brenton Mitsos

Brenton Mitsos

Project Manager Infrastructure & Environment, Light Regional Council

M: 0459 860 222
E: Brenton Mitsos

Brenton was elected to the board in 2022. He is a qualified Civil Engineer with experience in Engineering Consultancy and the Local Government sectors. He has a passion for Civil Engineering, Civil Construction and Project Management. In 2020 he moved to Light Regional Council which has further developed his skills with the complexity of public works delivery in a rural council.

Connect to Brenton on LinkedIn.

Executive Manager: Sean Lewis

Sean Lewis

Executive Manager at IPWEA SA

M: 0466 256 736
E: Sean Lewis

Sean has been the Executive Manager since December 2021

Sean is responsible for all of the day-to-day operations of IPWEA SA.

Sean holds the following formal qualifications:

  • Master of Engineering in Manufacturing from the University of Michigan
  • Bachelor of Science Mechanical Engineering from Kettering University
  • Certificate IV in Training and Assessment from ELMO Accredited

Connect to Sean on LinkedIn.

YIPWEA South Australia

Chair: Carl Lundborg

Vice Chair: Shraddha Dhungel

Past Chair: James Mitchell

Luke Boin

Jordan Colbert

Marc Zalunardo

Zeb Kamen

Nick Coleman

Click on the YIPWEA links for more information

Young IPWEA Chair: Carl Lundborg

Carl Lundborg

Unit Manager Engineering at City of Marion

E: Carl Lundborg

Carl has been Young IPWEA Chair since 2022 and an IPWEA member since 2016.

Carl was the Young IPWEA Vice-Chair from 2021-22.

Ben started in Young IPWEA and has been Vice President and President of YIPWEA Australasia.

Carl holds the following formal qualifications:

  • Master of Infrastructure Engineering and Management
  • Bachelor of Civil and Structural Engineering from the University of Adelaide

Connect to Carl on LinkedIn.

Young IPWEA Vice Chair: Shraddha Dhungel

Shraddha Dhungel

Infrastructure Engineer at District Council of Mount Barker


E: Shraddha Dhungel

Shraddha is new to YIPWEA and the committee in 2022. She previously was the president of the UNISA Society of Engineers.

Shraddha holds the following formal qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Engineering, Civil and Structural Engineering from UniSA

Connect to Shradda on LinkedIn.

Young IPWEA Past Chair: James Mitchell

James Mitchell

Manager Engineering at City of Holdfast Bay


E: James Mitchell

James was the Young IPWEA Vice-Chair from 2019-2022 and an IPWEA member since 2017.

James holds the following formal qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Engineering Architectural from the University of Adelaide
  • Professional Management Program, Executive Education from the University of Adelaide

Connect to James on LinkedIn.

Young IPWEA Committee: Luke Boin

Luke Boin

Senior Engineer at Tonkin

E: Luke Boin

Luke has been Young IPWEA Vice-Chair since 2022 and an IPWEA member since 2014.

Luke was the Young IPWEA Events Lead from 2021-22.

Luke holds the following formal qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Engineering Civil and Architectural from the University of Adelaide
  • Graduate Diploma in Project Management from the University of South Australia

Connect to Luke on LinkedIn.

Young IPWEA Committee: Jordan Colbert

Jordan Colbert

SA Civil Team Leader at FMG Engineering


E: Jordan Colbert

Jordan joined the YIPWEA committee in 2020, and has been an IPWEA member since 2016.

Jordan holds the following formal qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree, Civil and Structural Engineering (Honors)

Connect to Jordan on LinkedIn.

Young IPWEA Committee: Marc Zalunardo

Marc Zalunardo

Director, Principal Consultant at Pavement Asset Services Pty Ltd


E: Marc Zalunardo

Marc is new to YIPWEA and the committee in 2022.

Marc holds the following formal qualifications:

  • Graduate Certificate in Pavement Technology from Centre for Pavement Engineering Education
  • Bachelor of Engineering, (Civil and Project Management) Civil Engineering from University of South Australia

Connect to Marc on LinkedIn.

Young IPWEA Committee: Zeb Kamen

Zeb Kamen

Asset Refurbishment Manager at Aveo Group


E: Zeb Kamen

Zeb is new to YIPWEA and the committee in 2022.

Zeb holds the following formal qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Engineering, (Honors) Mechanical and Advanced Manufacturing from University of South Australia

Connect to Zeb on LinkedIn.

Young IPWEA Committee: Nick Coleman

Nick Coleman

Nick has been on the YIPWEA committee since 2020.

 

E: Nick Coleman

Nick has been on the YIPWEA committee since 2020.

Nick holds the following formal qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Engineering, Civil and Structural Engineering