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Public works practitioners meet in Penrith

The Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia (NSW Division) staged its Annual Conference and Engineering Field Days at Penrith in May. This was the NSW Division's inaugural conference using the Institute's recent name change. The change of name reflects an expansion of the IPWEA's membership base to include all professionals involved in the provision of public works.

IPWEA (NSW) President, Steve Carmichael, said that the Conference provided a great opportunity for engineers and practitioners in Local Government to share their ideas and look at the future.

"The Conference reflects the new directions of IPWEA and its widening membership with a very successful Works Officers stream and a session devoted to identifying and meeting the needs of younger members," he said.

"The theme, 'New Horizons', looks to the future not only for the Institute and our broadening focus, but for Local Government and the public and private sectors of public works engineering."

Referring to the NSW State Government's change in regard to market testing of road maintenance contracts, he said Councils that are moving down the track of putting in place quality systems need to continue this work.

"Quality is good business management," Steve Carmichael said. "However, it is vital that work method statements involve outdoor staff, that is those carrying out the tasks.

"Quality systems must be active documents regularly reviewed to include new or improved processes."

IPWEA National President, Peter Taylor, said that NSW is the largest, best resourced and most successful IPWEA Division.

He acknowledged Don Sheffield who recently retired as the National Chief Executive Officer of IPWEA .

"A great leader, mentor and friend, Don was totally committed to the profession," Peter Taylor said.

In wishing him well for his retirement, Peter Taylor also welcomed Chris Champion, former Director Engineering Services at Holroyd Council, who is the new Chief Executive Officer.

During the three day Conference, sessions covered a range of topics and issues that impact on public works practitioners.

Chair of the Waste Management session, Des Hewitt, Director Engineering at Sutherland Council, said that a key challenge facing Councils is having strategies in place for using recycled goods.

"With many Councils now meeting their landfill reduction targets, picking up recyclables is not enough," he said. "They need to look at what they are buying based not only on price but ecological sustainability.

"At Sutherland, we have developed a Green Purchasing Policy. Councils must not only think 'green', they must be 'green', demonstrating this through their purchasing and procurement policies."

The Road Safety and Traffic Management stream also attracted many delegates. Valuable ideas on road safety and safe and efficient traffic management were presented from a range of perspectives, including education, injury management, planning and engineering.

With an emphasis on safety plans, delegates were told Councils need to demonstrate an ongoing commitment and regular evaluation to ensure a Council wide strategic plan is being implemented.

The Engineering Field Days from 4-6 May were the largest yet with 325 indoor and outdoor exhibitors. Some 6,000 people visited this popular Public Works Expo.

From 2001, the Engineering Field Days will move to a new site in Western Sydney. A one day seminar will precede this event. However, the Annual Conference will now be scheduled later in the year at a regional location. The 2001 Conference will be held at Port Macquarie in October.

Most of the conference papers, a full list of Field Day exhibitors and other highlights of the conference are presented on the IPWEA New Horizons Conference CD Rom. This CD is available for a small fee from IPWEA, telephone (02) 9267 6677.

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