IPWEA Vic Blog

On 31 August 2011 the VAGO tabled a report into its findings on the effectiveness of the road safety camera program.

The report assessed whether:

• there is a sound rationale for the program
• cameras are sited for road safety outcomes
• the camera system is accurate
• infringements issued from the system are valid
• public communications about the program are effective.

The outcome was in favour of the effectivenss on road safety.

Access the report here

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On 17 August 2011 the VAGO tabled a report on its findings into the effectiveness of the Department of Transport and VicRoads in developing cycling as a safe and appealing mode of transport.

The ultimate goal of the 2009 Victorian Cycling Strategy was to ‘grow’ cycling into a major form of personal transport.  The strategy created a logical framework for action and formed the basis for increased investment in cycling infrastructure.   However, serious limitations in its development and implementation compromised its potential to achieve its goal.

It was found that:

• The strategy was developed in haste without sufficient understanding of either current cycling journeys or what was required to ‘mainstream’ cycling as a form of transport.
• There was an overemphasis on physical infrastructure solutions, to the relative neglect of other measures essential to achieving the strategy’s goal, such as promoting cycling, educating potential cyclists and reducing the incentives to use cars.
• agencies were not well prepared to implement the strategy or evaluate its success, and this contributed to the unsatisfactory progress in addressing its limitations.

The document says that this lack of preparation repeats past audit findings about the department’s freight management strategy and metropolitan bus contracts.

Access the report here

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The Victorian Auditor General’s Office tabled a report on Business Planning for Major Capital Works and Recurrent Serives in Local Government on 14th September 2011.

Victoria’s 79 council’s collectively spend around $7.6 billion on capital works and recurrent services each year, and manage over $60 billion in community assets and infrastructure.

The audit examined a representative selection of councils to determine whether they had effectively integrated their planning and budgeting, considered the long-term sustainability of selected investments and produced accurate and reliable budgets and forecasts.  Some councils were found to be good in this area whilst others were ofund to be lacking.

Access the results here

A speaker from the Victorian Auditor Generals Office will speak at the IPWEAvic Strategic Contract Management and Procurement Conference scheduled for 6th October at Melbourne Exhibiton Centre on Performance Audits.  Download details of the conference here

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Take a look at the 2010-2011 South-East Water Performance Report here

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Wednesday 12th October at Best Point Showroom, 514 Bridge Road Richmond, the winners of the 2011 IPWEAvic Footy Tipping Competion sponsored by Best Point will be held.

Come along for some fellowship and refreshments between 3:30pm – 5:30pm – loads of prizes to be given away.

Prior to announcement of footy winners Stockland will present on thier urban design philosophies.

See you all on the 12th October!

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The next IPWEAvic Leadership Series Business Luncheon is to be held on Friday 11th November 12noon to 2pm at The Gables, 15 Finch Street East Malvern.

At this lunch, Margaret Abbey, CEO Murrindindi Shire, is going to share some of her thoughts on the key challenges facing leaders in the reconstruction phases following natural disasters.

Murrindindi Shire was heavily impacted by the 2009 Black Saturday Bushfires with extensive areas of the Shire burnt and the towns of Kinglake, Narbethong and Marysville destroyed.  The reconstruction efforts
have been going for over two years and there is extensive works still required.

RSVP by Monday 7th November for catering purposes would be appreciated.

Download flyer here

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2012 IPWEAvic Excellence Awards – Nominations are now open.  A copy of the Nomination Form and accompanying details can be obtained by sending an email to Anne Gibbs at agibbs@ipwea.org.au or downloaded here.

Categories include:

1. Capital Project Award(s)

2. Asset Management Award

3. Public Works Engineering – Innovative Practice and /or Service Delivery Award

4. IPWEAvic Public Works Practitioner of the Year – People Awards

* IPWEA Engineer/Technician of the year

* Young IPWEAvic Engineer/Technician of the year

Applications close Friday 17 February 2012.

visit the awards website at http://www.ipwea.com/awards2012

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