LG engineers meeting the challenges
Over 500 engineering professionals from Councils across Australia attended the 2005 International Public Works conference staged in Adelaide from 21–25 August. With the theme Infrastructure, Services, Lifestyle, in terms of delegates this year’s conference was the largest to date. Staged every second year by the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia (IPWEA), some 80 papers and various keynote addresses covered the challenges and current trends impacting engineers, their Councils and communities.
Then National President of IPWEA, Warren Roberts, said the conference is a key part of IPWEA’s commitment to learning and continuous improvement for its members.
“Having identified that 50 per cent of Local Government engineers are expected to retire or leave the industry during the next decade, it is vital that we attract more young people into Local Government engineering,” Warren Roberts said.
This theme was taken up by keynote presenter, Professor Andrew Downing, National President of Engineers Australia. He said there is a major skills shortage occurring across a number of fields, with organisations in both the public and private sectors finding it harder to recruit engineering graduates.
“Australia has lower entry and graduate rates in engineering compared to other OECD countries,” Professor Downing said. “More students are now completing year 12 but fewer are taking maths, science or technology subjects. In 1993, 31 per cent of year 12 students were not enrolled in a maths or science subject. In 2005, this has risen to 45 per cent.
“We need to start developing an interest at primary school level running through to senior secondary, ensuring students are aware of the diverse careers a degree in engineering can lead to. If we fail in this, Australia’s international competitiveness in the knowledge economy will be seriously undermined.”
Professor Downing said ongoing training and mentoring was vital to attract and retain young engineers, as are student work experience placements.
“Governments, professional bodies and industry must work together to address this skills shortage challenge,” he said.
Keynote and 2005 awardee as UK Municipal Engineer of the year, Matthew Lugg outlined various ways that Cambridgeshire County Council is addressing the issues of increasing travel and traffic congestion. With the County designated by the UK Government as a growth area for affordable housing, Council is preparing for 50,000 new homes and 100,000 additional residents by 2016.
“Expected increased travel and congestion requires strategies to foster a non car culture,” Matthew Lugg said. “Alongside road improvements, Council is working on improved public transport, cycling and walkways, a guided busway using an old rail track and park and ride services. Our park and ride service has already resulted in a 20 per cent reduction in the number of cars coming into the centre of Cambridge.”
He said strategies being developed include car sharing, car pooling and increased teleworking and home based businesses.
As Director Sustainable Infrastructure at Cambridgeshire County Council, Matthew Lugg was the first person in the UK to have this job title indicating the growing importance being placed on sustainable development. He recently made a career move and is now working for Leicestershire County Council. Various national awards were presented by IPWEA during the Conference.
Ian Robins, CEO at Wyndham City Council in Victoria was presented with the Keith H Wood Medal. Awarded to an engineer in recognition of outstanding service to Local Government engineering and the IPWEA, Ian Robins’ impressive career in Local Government spans 34 years.
The National Local Government Engineering Medal is presented for the design and/or construction of a project of special significance. The 2005 medal was won by John Hawkes for the Cairns Esplanade Redevelopment.
Peter Way, Director City Works at Logan City Council, took out the Emeritus Member award, while Thomas Kuen, Manager Assets at Glen Eira City Council was presented with the inaugural National Emerging Leader Award.
IPWEA incoming National President is David Abbott from New South Wales.
