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16 OCTOBER 2009

In this issue:

Highlights:

Mark Varmalis elected as incoming IPWEAvic President at AGM.

IPWEAvic Asset Management Technical Reference Group Meeting Thur 12 Nov 12:30-3:30pm at Port Phillip. More details later. 

IPWEAvic Civil Construction Technical Reference Group will meet in November 09. More details shortly

LATEST NEWS

The IPWEAvic Annual General Meeting was held on 8th October at Manningham City Council Function Rooms.  

Mark Varmalis was elected President with Geoff Glynn Vice-President and Ross Goyne elected as treasurer.  Bruce Douglas is immediate past president.

The IPWEAvic Annual Dinner was held following the AGM on 8th October with guest speaker Malcolm Baalman, Director Stakeholder Engagement at the Victorian Department of Transport. The Department of Transport was a silver sponsor at the recent International Public Works Conference.


The IPWEAvic 2008/2009 Annual Report is available from the website for download or view a copy here.

The Draft of the National Emergency Risk Assessment Guidelines (NERMG)has been released for the final round of consultations. Download a copy of the guidelines here. 

Further information on the NERAG project is available from  the projects webpage.  

Comments are sought, closing Friday 23rd October 2009, and should be directed to Veronica O'Brien, Assistance Director, Emergency Management Policy, National Security Resilience Policy Division, Attorney-General's Department at em.policy@ag.gov.au  


The National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility is seeking comments, closing 30th October 09, on the draft National Climate Change Adaptation Research Plan: Settlements and Infrastructure.

A copy of the draft plan and feedback form are available from http://www.nccarf.edu.au/node/202.  Further information Florence Crick on (07) 5552 7225 or f.crick@griffith.edu.au. (Copies of any submissions also to IPWEA at national@ipwea.org.au would be appreciated).


The IPWEAvic Asset Mates Forum debate has been quite interesting over the past few weeks, particularly that relating to Large vehicles.  If you want to join the lively discussion make sure you sign up here. 


2009 International Conference on Construction Safety is to be held on 21 to 23rd October 2009 at Rydges Melbourne, 186 Exhibition St, Melbourne. See www.constructionsafety2009.com.au for details and to register.

EEA CPD course on Stormwater Management - Source Control in Melbourne on 29/30 October 09 may be of interest to members. View details here.  Register here. 

The Hon Anthony Albanese MP Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government announced on 9th October in a media release of the Rudd Government intention to move ahead with $25 Million Local Government Reform Fund. More details concerning the fund here


IPWEAvic held a very successful Perfecting Procurement Conference on 8th October 2009 at Manningham Function Centre. Speakers included:-

  • the Minister for Local Government, Richard Wynne, 
  • Ronald Mak from the Victorian Auditor General Office
  • Rob Spence, CEO MAV
  • John Taylor, Acting Ombudsman Victoria
  • Bob Seiffert, CEO CCF
  • Chris Newman, Local Government Victoria, DPCD
  • Jon Griffin, Greater Shepparton City Council
  • Michael McGlade, Wyndham City Council
  • Greg Campbell, Maddocks
  • Richard Choy, CEO AusSpec

Click here to view the full program.  Presentations can be found on the IPWEAvic website.

10 LESSONS LEARNT IN PROCUREMENT

The Acting Ombudsman, John Taylor, spoke at the recent IPWEAvic Perfecting Procurement Conference on 8th October at Manningham. The event was sponsored by Maddocks and supported by DPCD. Mr Taylor gave 10 lessons for procurement to the audience summarised as follows:-
  • Lesson 1: The need for up to date guidelines on tendering and contracting
  • Lesson 2: Document all stages of the process
  • Lesson 3: Maintain good records
  • Lesson 4: The tender evaluation should be transparent and accountable
  • Lesson 5: Relationships with tenderers
  • Lesson 6: Avoid conflicts of interest
  • Lesson 7: Use a probity auditor in big projects
  • Lesson 8: Avoid bracket creep
  • Lesson 9: Don’t cook the books
  • Lesson 10: Gifts and hospitality
Download a copy of the Acting Ombudsman's notes here.  
 View the 10 lessons video exclusive by clicking here or click on the picture above.

IPWEAvic REGIONAL GROUP MEETINGS & TRG MEETINGS

  • Geelong Regional Group will hold the final meeting for the year on 29 October at the Grovedale Hotel 6pm for 6.30pm. The Dinner is being sponsored by Uretek who will be making a presentation. The Guest speaker for the night will be Peter Stapleton from Barwon Water who will be speaking on the Northern Water Treatment Plant proposal and other projects being planned & under construction in the region. More details here. 
  • Gippsland Regional Group.  Jyoti Ghosh from Baw Baw Shire is the new convenor for the IPWEAvic Gippsland Regional Group. The Group plan to meet in November 09.  More details later
  • Horsham Regional Group has set a provisional date of 27th October 09 to meet again.
  • TRG Civil Construction will meet in November. More details later
  • TRG Asset Management will meet on Thursday 12th November at City of Port Phillip 12:30 to 3:30pm, lunch included.  More details later.

INDUSTRY MEETINGS, CONFERENCES, TRAINING

As part of the implementation of the Local Government Procurement Strategy two new procurement courses are now available:
  • The Victorian Local Government Procurement Professional Program
  • Towards Better Tendering
Click here for information on these courses and here to register.

For details of the IPWEA Fleet Management Certificate click here.

IPWEA Graduate qualification in Infrastructure Asset Management program is now offered through the University of Tasmania by distance education. Read more here.

Alliance Contracting Excellence Summit will be held in Melbourne in November 2009.  More details here

Info on CPEE courses click here.

A one day AUS-SPEC Upgrade and Refresher seminar will be run in Melbourne on 4th November 2009 and provides attendees with up to date information to allow them to make the best use of the AUS-SPEC specification and contract document set as produced by the IPWEA / NATSPEC Joint Venture.  Download registration brochure here

Info on AAPA courses click here.  AAPA courses can be customised to suit your organisations particular needs.

FOR THE DIARY

Sustainability Workshop February 2010

2010 Local Government Asset Management & Public Works Conference May 2010

2010 Works & Engineering Conference at Bendigo 23rd and 24th September 2010

 

Anne Gibbs, CEO IPWEA(vic)
Visit our website at www.ipwea.org.au/vic