IPWEA Vic Blog

If you are looking for information relating to the electric vehicle trial – visit the Department of Transport website

http://www.transport.vic.gov.au/projects/ev-trial/publications

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Of interest to Public works Practitioners working in the area of transport is the Victoiran Transport Atlas devleoped by the Department of Transport.

The Victorian Transport Atlas intends to bring together a number of transport themes and data sets such as:

• journey to work
• public transport infrastructure
• car ownership
• household activity and travel surveys
• population and employment data.

The first theme released is a summary of the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ journey to work data for 1996, 2001 and 2006. This theme includes:

• origins and destinations of work journeys
• methods of travel to work
• employment and occupation types.

The atlas has data presented for each Victorian local government area.

It will be updated in early 2013 as more data becomes available .

Access the Victorian Transport Atlas http://www.transport.vic.gov.au/research/statistics/victorian-transport-atlas

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Cycling into the Future 2013-23, is the Victorian Government’s new cycling strategy taking a holistic approach to cycling by considering the needs of transport and recreational cyclists, as well as metropolitan and regional requirements.

Reportedly more than $30 million is to be invested in the 2012/13 financial year in a range of cycling projects such as improved cycling paths, new trails, bike cages and hoops as well as education and awareness campaigns and support for cycling events.

Read more about hte new strategy at this url http://www.transport.vic.gov.au/projects/cycling/cycling-strategy

Downlaod a copy of the strategy here

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John McIntosh, President of Engineers Australia Victoria Division, is a loud and proud engineer.  He was the guest speaker at theIPWEAvic End of Year Leadership Series Business Luncheon held on 7th December 2012 at Green Acres Golf Course in Kew East.

Some Notes taken from John McIntosh presentation

Things have changed for engineers, things like:

• Engineers are commonly found at level 2 or level 3 in organisations
• PW department taken away from government in 1990’s
• MTM was formed from Victorian Railways
• Public works is a combination of private and public organisations
• VicRoads grew out of the Country Roads Board but has political interference and is unable to undertake long term planning

Things are still changing:

• People busier than even – time poor
• Value expectations changing – community put before yourself
• Competing service providers
• Generational differences
• Technology

Cynefin framework – see below

Characteristics of complex systems

• Multiple and diverse connections
• Feedback loops
• Technical leadership

Complex events need adaptive leaders – looking for business solutions

Tools for managing

• Open up the discussion
• Set barriersStimulate attractors
• Encourage dissent and diversity
• Manage starting conditions and monitor for emergence
• There is always more than one right answer

Tipping Point is a book that is recommended by John McIntosh which states there are

Three types of people:

• Maven – takes new things, translates it down to a simple relevant bit
• Connector – knows lots of people
• Salesman – get the recipient to take in that new bit

Most engineers fall into the Maven category.

Race for Relevance: 5 Radical Changes for Associations by Harrison Coerver and Mary Byers

• No time
• WIIFM (RO1) – (what’s in it for me)
• Specialisation and consolidation
• Generational values
• Competition – intellectually and technology

Radical changes for associations

1. Overhaul the government
2. Empower the DEQ and staff
3. Rationalise the member market
4. Rationalise programs. Services
5. Build a robust technology framework

What can an individual engineer do?

1. Be loud and proud about being a professional engineer
2. Chartered professional engineer  CPEng
3. Technical PLUS business acumen and people skills (engineering-executive)
4. Regulation and registration
5. Get (or stay) involved
6. Encourage others to get involved
7. Business card
8. Linked in profile
9. Certificates on the wall
10. Wear membership badge with pride
11. Elevator “CV”
12. Outreach

The luncheon had a christmas theme.  Congratulations to Jane Waldock who found a prize in her christmas cracker!

Here is John McIntosh delivering his presentation to the IPWEAvic group.

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A seminar entiteld ” Delivering Liveability to Local Communities” was the topic of a half day seminar held on Thursday 11 October 2012.

Over 60 attended the event where three recipients of the MEFvic Study Scholarships to Europe presented their findings.

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RBA Market Update Feb 2012.  Click here to view article

RBA cuts interest Rates : February 2012.  Click here to view article

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Click here to view article

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The report ” Strong Foundations for Sustainalbe Local Infrastructure” by Ernst  &  Young  was  released in July 2012 by  the  Department  of  Regional  Australia,  Local  Government,  Arts  and  Sport.  The report  reviews the prioritisation and financing of local infrastructure.

The recommendations fall into three broad themes:

• Recommendations to enable councils to leverage existing funding sources for investment in new infrastructure
• Recommendations to improve councils‘ access to cost effective finance
• Enabling recommendations to improve councils‘ ability to identify and develop infrastructure and gain access to specialist skills necessary to deliver innovative financing solutions.

Take a look at the report here

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Peter Brown, Chief Executive Officer Moreland City Council, gave an exceptional presentation to the IPWEAvic Leadership Luncheon on Friday November 16th sharing some of his thoughts on how to generate political “buy in” and leadership from Councils and State Government in major urban renewal and infrastructure improvement projects.   Peter explained “The Coburg Initiative” as an apporach to refresh the infrastrucutre and build the economy.   When embarking on such a project there is a need to get council to agree to the concept of thinking long term.  A structure plan must be developed and a branding for the project assists in creating an air of expectation in the community.  When working on such a project you need to be as sharp as a developer.   This type of project is not for everyone and each municipality needs to examine its assets and see how it can leverage off them to advantage.  To a certain extent you need to create your own luck and find ways to get your project on Sate Government Agenda.   As the project is long term and may span more than one council term it is impreative that all councillors understand the project and have the buy in.

9 key lessons from the project are:

1. People and places – engaging and ongoing consultation
2. Turning places to reality – needs commercial viability
3. Structural change needed – be clear on priorities
4. Building internal capacity – the role of consultant
5. Land banking – need a game plan
6. Private sector participation – need competition
7. State and federal partnerships – create your own luck
8. Continuity of leadership and maintaining your integrity
9. All takes time

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A new Board was elected at the 2012 IPWEAvic AGM held on 11 October. Vicki Shelton was elected IPWEAvic President. She will be assisted by Vice-President, Ross Goyne, Treasurer Thomas Kuen and Immediate Past President, David Sutcliffe and Jane Waldock, Vito Albicini, Robert Ladd, Claude Cullino, Matthew Hill, Peter Harriott and Mark Varmalis. Congratulations to the new Board. The next IPWEAvic Board meeting will be held on 16 November so speak to a Board member if you have any issues you would like to raise concenring IPWEAvic.

    Vicki Shelton takes over the Presidential Shield from David Sutcliffe.

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