An impressive list of national and international speakers will lead what promises to be an excellent IPWEA 2003 National Conference in Hobart from 24-28 August.
“Tasmania only gets an opportunity to host this conference once every 12 years and locals should take the opportunity to find out about the latest issues, policies and developments in public works and Local Government engineering,” said Ron Sanderson, Chair of the Conference Committee. “The Conference will be of interest to any person with an involvement in Local Government, including elected members, managers and engineers”.
The theme of the Conference, ‘Back to Engineering’, is designed to promote the importance of public works engineering to society throughout history, and the latest technological advances that are available to our communities. Speakers from the USA, Canada and New Zealand, along with prominent speakers from throughout Australia, will give papers addressing the latest infrastructure management, leadership and technical aspects of public works and Local Government engineering.
The opening keynote address, ‘O’Connor – An Engineer of Genius’ will be presented by former opposition leader, Kim Beazley. Kim Beazley is passionate about the achievements of former Engineer in Chief of Western Australia, C Y O’Connor, who was responsible for providing potable water supply to the inland cities of Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie in the late 1800s, along with many other public works such as the Fremantle Harbour. O’Connor is described by his contemporaries as a man ahead of his time, an engineer of genius. An insight into the life, work and legacy of Australia’s most distinguished engineer of the colonial period will be covered in the address.
Mark McCain is a former Director of Public Works with the City of Columbia in South Carolina and is now Principal Consultant with Public Works Emergency Management Services, USA. His firm specialises in emergency management, including threats presented by terrorists. Mark McCain will talk on the public works challenges of the September 11 attack on the World Trade Centre and concepts of looking toward the future with public works and where the industry is going within USA.
In addition to the keynote speakers there has been an overwhelming response to the call for papers.
The Institute of Public Works Engineering National Conference 2003 will be held at the Wrest Point Convention Centre from 24–28 August. Registration forms will soon be available. Check the web site at www.ipwea.org.au for further details.
