IPWEA Vic Blog

ACELG & IPWEA has released a report on the role and use of debt in Local Government

Download a copy of the report  here

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Government News cites an article around the use of debt financing by councils as a way to clear infrastructure backlogs.  Banks and institutional investors generally regard governments in Australia as safe in terms of credit risk because it is fundamentally difficult for them to go out of business.

Read the article at this url http://www.governmentnews.com.au/2014/02/dont-seduced-dirty-talk-debt-governments-warned/

Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government (ACELG) has released a report “Debt is Not a Dirty Word: The Role and Use of Debt in Local Government” prepared by expert John Comrie and supported by consortium partner, the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA).  Take a look at the ACELG report at this url

https://higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/IPWEA/IPWEA_ACELG_Role-Use-of-Debt.pdf?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJH5D4I4FWRALBOUA&Expires=1393456731&Signature=bR8HSDsauZSLlG0LOpwxJiN9ME0%3D

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The VAGO Report on Asset Management and Maintenance by Councils was tabled today, 19th February 2014, in Parliament.  Take a look at the report via this link
http://www.audit.vic.gov.au/reports_and_publications/latest_reports/2013-14/20140219-asset-management.aspx

Asset Management and Maintenance by Councils
Victorian councils manage around $73 billion of physical infrastructure assets and spend over $2 billion annually to maintain, renew or replace them. This audit found that council spending on renewing or replacing existing assets is not keeping pace with their rate of deterioration, resulting in cumulative renewal gaps that grow each year. There is a pressing need for councils to carefully balance asset renewal spending against a sustainable level of service delivery.

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IPWEAvic has a seat on the Victorian Flood Warning Consultative Committee.

A draft document on Service Level Specification for Flood Forecasting and Warning Service for Victoria has been prepared and IPWEAvic has been asked to provide any comments.  The document can be viewed  HERE

If you have any comments to the document can you please forward to Malcolm Styles (e:mdgstyles@yahoo.com.au), our representative on this committee, by the end of this week as our input is required to be reported at the next VFWCC meeting to be held next Thursday 27^th Feb.

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The suite of new Asset Management standards, ISO 55000, 55001 & 55002, was published officially on 15th January.

The IAM decided to collaborate with BSI to arrange a Launch in the UK to celebrate this and raise the profile of Asset Management generally.

The video of the Launch is now available online:  www.theIAM.org/ISOLaunchwebcast   It takes the form of a series of very short talks in less than an hour, followed by half an hour of questions – see details here: www.theIAM.org/ISOLaunch

The launch profiles a range of invited speakers including President of ISO to McKinsey & Co, asset owners, service providers, insurer’s view from Aon, the Chair of ISO/PC251…

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The March meeting of the Central Highlands Regional Group will commence at the offices of VicRoads (Western Freeway Project Office – Ring Road Ballarat) at 5pm.  Mick McCarthy – Project Director will give an overview on the Western Freeway Project.

We will then depart and drive to the Park Hotel Bistro, 1615 Sturt Street, Ballarat (around 5.30pm), and board a bus, that will take us on site.  John Holland’s will then give a tour of the site and provide information on the project.

The bus will return us to the pub for meeting and dinner (around 6.45pm).  Can you please confirm your attendance as we need to ensure we have enough space on the bus and also those wanting to stay for dinner (at your own cost).  Also, everyone attending will be required to bring along their own PPE (Long sleeves, long trousers, steel capped boots, hard hats, high vis vests and safety glasses)

Please respond to Eric Braslis, IPWEAvic Regional Group Co-ordinator Central Highlands Regional Group if you would like to attend e: ericbraslis@ballarat.vic.gov.au or ring Belinda Ph. 5320 5589

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IPWEAvic in conjunction with Biosis has developed an IPWEAvic Information Series Event: Native Vegetation Regulation Reforms – how to operate under the new controls to be held at Manningham Function Centre Thursday 13th March 2014 9am till 1pm including a light luncheon generously provided by Biosis.

HIGHLIGHTS

How Do We Operate Under the New Legislation and Guidelines?
• Over view of Planning Scheme changes and permits requirements for removing native vegetation under the new system
• Background to the policy and its operation – i.e. how are permits assessed by Council and DEPI
• A Council case study outlining there understanding of the new system and the practical realities of applying it
• How changes to the state governments Native Vegetation Framework vegetation controls are likely to impact on the delivery of civil infrastructure projects.
• How changes to the state governments Native Vegetation Framework will impact on biodiversity offsetting
• Vegetation offsets – the new systems has a strong focus on this. How and where to purchase offsets.

This is a free event but you must register to attend.

Download full program and registration details HERE

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Eric Braslis is the IPWEAvic Regional Group Co-ordinator for the Central Highlands Regional Group.  He is also General Manager Infrastructure at City of Ballarat.  It was recently announced that Eric has been successful in being accepted into the “Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program’ at Harvard Kennedy School in the USA and will travel to Boston in June to undertake the course.  Congratulations Eric!

Read media report at this url

http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/2057404/council-infrastructure-general-manager-to-study-development-course-in-us/

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City of Ballarat currently has some exciting opportunities available in its City Services Department

Co-ordinator Road Maintenance, Band 8 – Download the information pack containing job description and details on how to apply by clicking HERE

Co-ordinator Environmental Services, Band 8 – Download the information pack containing job description and details on how to apply by clicking HERE

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Living Victoria Fund Round 2 grant applications close 17th March 2014.  $15M is to be made available for smart local water projects.  Submission guidelines are available from this website http://www.livingvictoria.vic.gov.au/fund

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