IPWEA's 2019 Public Works Conference

IPWEA Victoria’s 2019 Public Works Conference

The IPWEA (Victoria)’s 2019 Public Works Conference will provide a key platform for public works professionals to discuss the major innovations and developments shaping the future of Victoria’s public infrastructure.

With 60 years of excellence to celebrate in 2019, the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia’s Victorian Division (IPWEA VIC) is marking the occasion this May with what CEO David Hallett anticipates will be one of the organisation’s best Public Works Conferences yet – PWC19.

Held at Arts Centre Melbourne 9 – 10 May, PWC19 will enable IPWEA members, industry professionals and leaders from all parts of the public works sector to engage, collaborate and share ideas around the industry’s future.

Attracting stakeholders from the public works sector and in local government, including engineers, asset managers, contractors and consultants, the two-day conference program and theme aims to highlight the core driver for the industry.

“This year, the overall theme of the conference is “Engineering Thriving Communities”, which is about re-focusing on who we work for – which is the community at large – and how we can best deliver what they want and need,” Mr. Hallett explains.

To provide a unique platform and vital professional development opportunities for public works engineers across Victoria, the PWC19 program is split into four key streams: technology, asset management, sustainability and leadership.

Led by keynotes from the Hon Trish White, Engineers Australia President and Dr. Graeme Emonson, Executive Director for Local Government Victoria, the technology-focused aspect of the conference will shine a light on the latest innovations and milestones in this area. This includes everything from holographic computing and virtual reality, through to road sensors for embedded fibre-optics and flood-resilient pavements.

Mr. Hallett says asset management is another area becoming increasingly important for public works engineers and other key stakeholders, particularly at the local government level.

“Asset management, which is becoming a more and more innovative field, is a relatively new discipline that benefits from the skills and experience of engineers, especially those in local government. We’re also expecting a new local government Act to mandate the establishment of 10-year asset management plans for councils , so it’s appropriate to learn from leaders in this space,” he explains.

Presenters are set to look at a range of aspects around asset management in the public works sphere, including strategies to better manage unsealed roads, how to leverage cloud big data and connectivity to drive efficiencies and more.

Similarly, sustainability in public works is another key element Mr. Hallett says plays a major role in Australia and Victoria’s engineering sector today, with sustainable practices becoming increasingly important. “Many councils in Victoria are struggling with challenges like kerbside waste management, so there’s a big interest in waste-to-energy technology and the use of certain waste products in road construction.”

The PWC19 program includes a range of presentations on sustainability, such as strategies for management of former landfills within an urban area, case studies and a keynote presentation from Sustainability Victoria CEO Stan Krpan on sustainable liveability.

Mr. Hallett says that recent years have also seen a real need for developing leadership and management skills within the sector, which IPWEA VIC aims to again feature at its 2019 conference.

Led by a keynote presentation from The Leaders Mentor’s Kerry Osborne, presenters from the La Trobe Business School, Davidson Executive and Board, The Institution of Engineering and Technology and more will take to the stage to discuss how to develop future leaders in the engineering sector.

PWC19 will also provide a unique exhibition and engagement space for sponsors and exhibitors to showcase a range of innovative products and services.

“We have created lots of opportunities over the course of the event for delegates to engage with industry peers and to connect people where we can,” Mr. Hallett explains, adding that the annual Engineering Excellence Awards Dinner will top off the event by celebrating the achievements of the Victorian engineering sector as a whole.

Held on the evening of the 9th May 2019, the Awards Dinner will celebrate the best and brightest in public works and engineering services.

Registrations are now open for PWC19 with tickets also available for the Awards Dinner.