IPWEA Vic Blog

The Minister for Local Government presented at the Civil Construction Alliance Meeting of 24 August 2011.   She mentioned three elements as being crucial to the future success of the Victorian local government sector: accountability, sustainability, and collaboration.  Her speech notes can be accesssed here.

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Ian Forsyth, Executive Director, WorkSafe briefed the Civil Construction Alliance Group at its meeting on 24 August 2011 on the National OHS Reforms, OHS performance in the building and construction industry, and what is happening at WorkSafe under his leadership.

A copy of Ian’s presentation can be viewed here.

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Aboriginal Affairs Victoria invites submissions to the Review of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006.  Aboriginal Affairs Victoria is reviewing the operation of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 on behalf of the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.   The Aboriginal Heritage Act is about protecting Aboriginal places, objects and human remains.  Submission on any aspect of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 or Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2007 asre invited.  A discussion paper and further information about the review can be found on the Aboriginal Affairs Victoria website:

http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/indigenous/aboriginal-cultural-heritage/review-of-the-aboriginal-heritage-act-2006

Submission should be lodged with the review team no later than 25 November 2011 by post to Review of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 Aboriginal Affairs Victoria Department of Planning and Community Development Level 9, 1 Spring Street, Melbourne 3000 or Email aboriginal.heritage@dpcd.vic.gov.au

Further information:  Jamin Moon  (03) 9208 3247,  Petra Stock       (03) 9208 3016

Submissions will be posted on the Aboriginal Affairs Victoria website unless otherwise requested.

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The Ombudsman has tabled a report in parliament on 15 June 2011 into the Corrupt Conduct by Public Officers in Procurement.

Take a look at the report at this url http://www.ombudsman.vic.gov.au/resources/documents/Corrupt_conduct_by_public_officers_in_procurement_June_2011.pdf

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The State Govenrment has contributed $15,000 towards development of a set of 10 brochures that provide topic specific guidance for the development of trails in regional areas.

The information focuses on 10 key areas: Path Surfaces, Path Widths, Curves & Bends, Hills & Gradients, Road Crossings, End-of-Path Treatments & Obstacles, Navigation & Signage, Lateral Clearances, Bridges & Boardwalks, and Fences & Safety Barriers.

The documents can be downloaded from the Bicycle Victoria website a https://www.bv.com.au/general/bike-futures/43833/

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A dumped rubbish forum was held at Moreland City Council on Wednesday 10th August 2011.  Over 80 public works professionals got together with the aim of sharing ideas on hitting hte dumped rusbbish problem experienced in our municipalites, waterways and rail corridors.  Andrew MacKinnon Group Manager City Operations set the scene speaking about the City of Morelands “Looking Good 100 day Campaign”.  Robyn Horner, Manager Statutory Compliance and Education at City of Kingston detailed City of Kingston’s experiences with combatting dumped rubbish.

Nerina Dilorenzo, Director City Infrastructure, City of Moreland, then lead a workshop looking at four issues:

1 – Why has dumped rubbish become such a big problem?

2 – What have you done at your Council or Organisation that has made a difference?

3 – What solutions would you like to try? No cost/low cost solutions, completely out of the box solutions?

4 – How do you change people’s behaviour on an issue like this?

City of Moreland is puting together a communique from the issues and solutions generated from the workshop and will circulate when finalised.

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Just over 2 weeks until the National Works & Engineering Conference which is to be held in Bendigo Exhibition Centre, Bendigo on 22 and 23 September 2011

Download a copy of the program here

Download a copy of the registration form here

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IPWEAvic in conjunction with Department of Planning and Community Development, Local Government Victoria and Engineers Australia will hold the third Strategic Contract Management & Procurement Conference on Thursday 6th October 2011 at Melbourne Exhbition centre (Level 5 Suite 1 and 2) Clarendon Street, Melbourne, 9am – 5pm.    An event for all those aspiring to best practice in procurement and contracting, featuring presentations from:

• Minister for Local Government, Hon Jeanette Powell,
• Director Commercial Development, Department of Treasury and Finance,
• Sector Director Local Government Performance Audit, Victorian Auditor General Officer and
• case studies from rural and a metro local government authorities,

Take a look at the program here

Cost of the event is $250 for IPWEA members and $300 for non-members.

The day will conclude with a dinner (optional) additional cost $70.

Download registration details here

Registration is also available on line http://www.ipwea.org.au/vic

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Friday August 12th an IPWEAvic Leadership Series luncheon was held in conjunction with the North East Regional Group Meeting.  Peter Harriott, General Manager Asset Development at spoke to the group around leadership in regional victoria.

He cited the key challenge for engineers is leadership and pointed out that the challenge to be better leaders can be met by:

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