Subject Index

Aerodromes

• Aerodrome Planning - 01 June 2005
  Tanner, Luke
  

Asset Management

• NZ Asset Management Tour 2004 - 24 June 2005
  HARRIS, Brad
  The Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia Asset Management Tour to New Zealand was an extremely beneficial and interesting tour to undertake, not only for the knowledge gained from the New Zealand Councils, but through information gained through discussions with fellow tour members. The tour included visits to four local authorities of varying size, being Wellington, Palmerston North, Manewatu and Wanganuwi. This also demonstrated varying asset management techniques and systems which varied from detailed asset management documentation and asset management software through to basic reporting and asset registers. However, common themes were that there was much more to be documented and that asset management is an evolving process that gradually improves with increased data capture. Whilst the asset management process in New Zealand is required through legislative requirements, the quality and information varies enormously. However, the legislation had resulted in a review of assets and a trend towards improved financial reporting and increased levels of funding of asset renewal away from capital improvements.
• Asset Management A Perspective from New Zealand - 01 June 2005
  Duncan, Peter
  
• Mobile Mapping of Works Assets and Risk Inspections - 01 June 2005
  Campbell, Chris
  
• Asset Management - 26 May 2005
  Sheppard, Darren
  Why can’t we just get on with the real things that matter. Building stuff!!
• ASSET MANAGEMENT OF COUNCIL'S DRAINAGE NETWORK - 17 February 2004
  Manningham City Council
  Historically assets have been depreciated using the straight-line depreciation method with little to no regard for the actual condition and residual life of those assets. Investigation and research into drainage asset condition over time indicates that drainage assets are not being consumed as fast as the depreciation rate forecasts. Research is also indicating that drainage assets have a residual life contrary to the AAS27 depreciation approach where drainage assets are assumed to have no value at the end of their depreciated life. Recent improvements in technology are also allowing these drainage assets to function far in excess of their “theoretical” life further confirming that drainage asset lives are being extended.
• WANTED: MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR ASSET MANAGER - 11 December 2003
  Morrison, Malcolm
  Service levels define the performance of infrastructural assets as accepted by the community that uses them. Too many councils seem to avoid discussing levels of service with the community at large and simply deliver what they have always delivered. So lets say we have agreed levels of service (and the cost of providing this) how are we going to ensure we can produce this on a long term sustainable basis? The average Council we deal with has infrastructural assets (Road, Parks, Drains, Property etc) valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars and very little useable information about most of them.
• A CO-ORDINATED APPROACH TO ASSET DATA CAPTURE - 22 October 2002
  Chris Sturgess
  
• ESTABLISHING DETERIORATION MODELS FOR LOCAL ROADS - 19 October 2002
  George J Giummarra
  
• ASSET MANAGEMENT IN A COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT - 03 August 2001
  Howard, John
  John Howard from Devonport City Council, Tasmania reports on his 1998 National Fellowship Award. The report investigated best practice asset management of local governments operating in a competitive environment. The research concluded that Australian local governments are well ahead of US and UK local governments in asset management.

Bridges

• WORKING TOGETHER TO MANAGE THE BRIDGE RISK - 10 December 2003
  Heywood, Rob, Karagania, Richard & Baade, Bob
  Douglas Shire Council and Texcel worked together to develop the bridge risk management strategy which involved the identification of the risks, their initial management via the application of load limits followed by more thorough investigations resulting in bridge replacements, bridge repairs, temporary repairs, permits to carry heavy loads for special vehicles and in some cases, no action was required in the short-term. The investigation techniques relied, in part, on the local knowledge developed whilst inspecting and maintaining the bridges. This was supplemented by theoretical evaluations and where considered helpful, physical testing of bridge performance under the passage of heavy vehicles.
• Bella Vista transversely stressed M-Lock Twin Bridges - 12 November 2002
  Irene Scott
  The recently constructed Twin Bridges at Bella Vista, Sydney, is the first bridge to be constructed incorporating new developments in the precast M-Lock bridging system. The M-Lock bridging system has recently been modified to include transverse and longitudinal stressing of the deck units, which has addressed current limitations and restrictions placed on precast modular bridges by the Australian Road Authorities. This modification has made the M-Lock bridging system accepted by the Australian Road Authorities for unrestricted use on highways. This paper will describe the development of the M-Lock bridging system with specific references to the Bella Vista Twin Bridges.
• Assessing the Structural adequacy of timber bridges using dynamic methods - 12 November 2002
  Bijan Samali, Keith Crews, Steve Bakoss, Jianchun Li and Chris Champion
  A reliable determination of the structural condition of timber bridges presently requires costly load testing. A new testing method is described which has recently been used to undertake field-testing of more than 20 timber bridges across NSW. The bridge assessment procedure involves the attachment of accelerometers underneath the bridge girders. The vibration response and natural frequency of the bridge superstructure is measured when a “calibrated sledgehammer” is used to hit the unloaded deck, and then again with a relatively small mass applied at mid-span. The difference in response allows load carrying capacity of the bridge to then be calculated.
• M-LOCK THE SOLUTION FOR SHORT SPAN BRIDGES - 22 October 2002
  Irene Scott, Ken Wheeler and Bob Druitt
  
• RURAL BRIDGES – GETTING THE MOST FOR YOUR BUDGET DOLLAR - 22 October 2002
  Graham Murray
  
• TRIAL OF GROUND PENETRATING RADAR TO LOCATE DEFECTS IN TIMBER BRIDGE GIRDERS - 22 October 2002
  Wayne Muller
  
• ASSESSING THE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY OF TIMBER - 18 October 2002
  Chris Champion,, Bijan Samali , Jianchun Li, Keith Crews and Steve Bakoss
  
• THE AMAZING TALE OF TENTHILL CREEK BRIDGE. - 18 October 2002
  Phil Bambrick
  
• Bridges Stream - 30 October 2001
  Various
  The synopses for all of the papers in the Bridges Stream (Wednesday 30th October 2001) are now available to download
• Evans Shire Council Davies Creek and Cheshire Creek Bridges Construction - 17 October 2001
  David Swan
  
• THE STRUCTURAL APPRAISAL OF TWO TIMBER TRESTLE BRIDGES – A CASE HISTORY - 17 October 2001
  Don McColl
  
• APPLICATION OF FIBRE REINFORCED POLYMER COMPOSITES IN BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION - 17 October 2001
  Irene Scott & Ken Wheeler
  

Business Strategies

• JOUSTING WITH WINDMILLS - 22 December 2005
  Stokoe, Carrick
  Government Owned Corporations are established to provide, among other things, infrastructure which has a commercial component. This paper looks at the role that GOCs play in the provision of that infrastructure and compares and contrasts their role with the private sector. In doing so, the roles that the GOCs play in the community is also examined. The paper restricts itself to the planning phases of infrastructure projects.
• DELIVERING INNOVATIVE INDUSTRY AND COMMUNITY OUTCOMES:THE GATTONVALE OFF-STREAM WATER STORAGE PROJECT - 22 December 2005
  Lansbury, Bill and Coe, Richard
  

  The increasing shortage of water resources in Queensland is causing concern for government, industry and the community.

  In 2004, the northern Bowen Basin region faced a critical water shortage due to an extended drought. Concerns were raised that industry operations in the region would be adversely affected unless a significant wet season occurred. The nearby communities relied heavily on local industry for employment, and hence, community survival.

  The $22 million Gattonvale Off-Stream Water Storage project was developed as a short-term strategy to ease pressure on local water resources. SunWater and RoadTek worked in collaboration to design and build a 5, 200 megalitre 'turkey's nest' dam, pump station and a rising main adjacent to the Bowen River Weir, 30 kilometres south of Collinsville. This project was developed in conjunction with the mining industry.

  The Gattonvale Off-Stream Storage was completed within tight timeframes and within budget. This project demonstrates the success of different sectors of the civil construction industry working proactively together to provide whole of government outcomes for Queenslanders.

• Port of Townsville - 26 May 2005
  MacIntosh, Don
  
• LOGAN WORKS– TRANSFORMING ROADS & DRAINAGE SERVICE DELIVERY - 11 December 2003
  Way, Peter & Kirby, Dennis
  Logan Works was facing decreasing potential workloads due to reducing capital works programs, increasing resource costs and the Council’s desire to use a balance of day labour and contracts. The review process examined current operations, options for change and recommended a course of action. The option chosen was to retain the Unit and enhance performance. The outcomes are a stronger focus on Branch functions, defined service agreements, improved costing and reporting systems, productivity enhancements, cost savings and a revitalised, multi-skilled workforce.
• MACKAY CITY COUNCIL'S APPROACH TO INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS - 11 December 2003
  Pearce, John
  Customers and the community are increasing demanding that organisations demonstrate responsible environmental performance, provide a safe working environment, while at the same time supply products and services that meet customers' expectations.
• PROJECT DELIVERY AND PARTNERSHIPS - 11 December 2003
  Murphy, Gary
  Local Transport Plan identified in 1992 for routes west of Yeppoon. Howvever, no infrastructure charging regime was implemented to create reserve for future provision. Development NOT managed to retain identified corridors for alternate routes. New IPA compliant Planning Scheme under development and significant issues with ‘out of sequence’ development. Development of the Capricorn Integrated Regional Transport Plan commenced
• WHaMB ROC - 11 December 2003
  Sherlock, Peter
  The objectives of WHaMB RoC are: *Promote a genuine regional ethos amongst Member Council's and actively communicate this to all agencies and other levels of Government. *Assist in providing an effective and united lobbying voice for the region. * Actively engage other regional bodies and forums to avoid duplication and dissipation of effort, and to maintain productive and harmonious relations with these bodies.
• WORKING TOGETHER FOR REGIONAL AND STATE UNIFORMITY IN DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION - 11 December 2003
  McMahon, Damien & Purchase, Lee
  By coordinating and facilitating the process of bringing key staff from various Municipal organisations together and reviewing current processes, the opportunity of regional agreement to adopt and utilise standards has evolved into a realistic approach. Rather than view the potential introduction of any standard in isolation, it was considered more appropriate to include colleagues from adjacent Councils in an attempt to gain the most from a regional implementation with economies of scale and assist the development industry with a uniform standard that covers the region.
• WORKING TOGETHER TO RESOLVE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONTRACT DISPUTES - 11 December 2003
  Strohfeldt, George
  No abstract available.
• PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT - AN END TO THE FINANCING CONUNDRUM? - 11 December 2003
  McKosker, Brad
  Within budget constraints, governments confronted with aging infrastructure, expanding populations and other competitive demands are turning to a closer examination of the PPP model. The paper will look at and explain the concept of Public Private Partnerships (‘PPPs’), how it works, whyit is popular and topical and how local authorities, statutory bodies and others in the engineering community may use it or adapt it to achieve their capital procurement objectives.
• WIN-WIN CONTRACT MANAGEMENT - 11 December 2003
  Strohfeldt, George
  No abstract available.
• Local Government is not a business (It is much more than that) - 11 November 2002
  Peter Black
  For the past two decades public sector reform has been based on the idea of competitive provision and the introduction of business ideals and private sector styles of management into the public sector. The emphasis on adopting a business like approach has usually meant to imply better management through greater efficiency, reduced resources, smaller and leaner governments with a bottom line focus. However, this focus has had very limited success as it fails to recognise the role of governments and that management in the government sector, and local government in particular, is a lot more challenging than the private sector. Governments deal with the real world of people and a complex mix of social, environmental and broader economic considerations and often opposing values, perceptions aspirations and prejudices. This paper explores why local government is different, and why it needs to be managed differently. The presentation of the paper will also include examples of the irreconcilable clashes of private and public sector values, the different community expectations applied to local government plus an examination of one council's approach to governance. This approach to local governance endeavours to take the best of both worlds but firmly based on the belief that local government is different, and to be successful needs to be managed differently
• Total Management Plan (TMP), Catchments and Waterways - 19 October 2002
  George Khouri
  
• ACHIEVING SUSTAINABILITY IN THE CONTEXT OF COMPETITIVE SERVICE DELIVERY - 19 October 2002
  John Martin
  

Community Consultation

• COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN DECISION-MAKING PROCESS - 10 December 2003
  Kilbourne, Jan
  Benefits of Community Participation include: • Broader understanding by Councillors and staff • Increased community cohesion - reduction in conflict • Commitment from community to decisions made by Council • Community access to information, particularly technical information, underpinning Council’s decisions • Expansion of community input
• THE MYTHS AND MYSTERIES OF COMMUNITY CONSULTATION ON PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS - 10 December 2003
  Ash, Dalitta
  Community Consultation - What does it means to the Works Supervisor. It is important to understand two vital components of the communication process: * Public Consultation is the two-way communication between an organisation and the general public. * Public Communication is the provision of information to the general public about a project. Understanding the difference between these two forms of public communications is the first step in unravelling one of the mysteries of communicating with the public.
• THE DEVELOPMENT AND UTILISATION OF KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS IN OPEN SPACE MANAGEMENT - 22 October 2002
  David Vial and Michelle Prior
  
• Partial Enclosure and Heating of Inverell and District Memorial Swimming Pool - 06 November 2001
  Jenny Easey
  
• PROJECT BASED COMMUNITY CONSULTATION GUIDELINES - 11 September 2001
  Cinquegrana, Craig
  The objective of the Guidelines is to provide assistance to staff undertaking public consultation within Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. These Guidelines relate to project based consultation and focus on providing a specific outcome within relative time and cost constraints.
• BEST PRACTICE COMMUNITY CONSULTATION – WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM - 22 August 1999
  Court, Fiona; Black, Diane; Calvert, Susan
  How can Governments facilitate effective community consultation for major infrastructure developments? What do the community expect from involvement processes in the new millennium? From the perspective of the local government project manager, the imperative of any project is to reach a conclusion about its viability: economically, environmentally and socially. Desirably the process will result in an end product supported by a majority of community and stakeholders, including the successful completion of an approvals process. Political and consultative elements are set to become the ‘main drivers’ of this process, following a trend that commenced in the 1960s. Media savvy communities will never again be backward in coming forward about their urban environment. How to engage these political and community processes? How to manage your project within their context? This paper explores and documents the tools required by the local government engineer. Constructive lessons are explained and some consultation programs are evaluated to illustrate the key ingredients for a successful community consultation program.

Competition & Competitive Tendering

• CONTRACTING OPTIONS FOR PROCUREMENT, MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF ASSETS – THE CHOICES AND TRENDS - 22 December 2005
  Rochester, Michael
  The mix of contract delivery options available and practised in industry is eclectic and dynamic. Conventional standards and experience biased reliances and preferences concerning how to invite, assess and award procurement, operation and maintenance contracts and purchases can be challenged. To achieve this first requires a paradigm shift in attitude to both the process of tendering and the evaluation of tenders. Tender and contracting practices have moved away from solely cost based assessments. Tendering contracts arise imposing changed duties upon owners. Traditional contract delivery models have shifted, reflected in part by the trend towards so called relationship contracting. Such relationship based contracting models are but variants of other time tested models. This paper considers and compares trends in respect to the contractual model best suited to achieve best practice procurement of: (a) new capital items; (b) establishment of a new ‘greenfield’ asset; (c) upgrade of a brownfields project; and (d) operation and maintenance services.
• THE PARADOX OF COMPETITION POLICY AND THE AUSTRALIAN WATER INDUSTRY - 22 August 1999
  Adam, Chris
  The Competition Reform agenda is largely driven by the ideal of economic efficiency. However, given the fundamental importance of the water industry in maintaining our standards of living, is this focus on economic efficiency appropriate? The objective of this paper is to explore the development of the competition policy reforms, the rationale behind the economic theory, contrast the economic theory with business strategy objectives and explore the implications of the policy to the Australian Water industry. The central finding of this paper is that the essential nature of the Australian Water industry in the attainment of the broader social and environmental policy objectives may mean that measurement of cost should not be the single or even best measure of “efficiency” (EPAC).

Conference Proceedings

• Sponsor Slides - 01 June 2005
  Barnes-Gillard, Suzanna
  
• IPWEAQ Update and Presentations - 25 September 2004
  Barnes-Gillard, Suzanna
  This paper is an overview and update on the activities of the IPWEAQ Inc including new directions such as the Qld Water Directorate.
• HOBART INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS CONFERENCE - 15 September 2004
  Kiurski, J; Heal, G; Shopov, L
  A collection of three reports on attendance at the IPWEA International Public Works Conference held in Hobart, August 2003.
• Hoart International Conference - 15 September 2004
  Shopov, L
  A report on attendance at the IPWEA International Public Works Conference held in Hobart, August 2003.

Customer Service

• CHANGING ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE THROUGH CUSTOMER SERVICE AND CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT - 22 August 1999
  Beard, David
  The Murrindindi Shire Council in Victoria was recently recognised as a leader in the field of customer service in the Victorian Local Government Super Service Magazine. This paper addresses the issues relating to how Murrindindi Shire Council turned an inwardly focused organisation to an outwardly focused quality service provider. Since amalgamation to create the Shire in 1995, the organisation has undertaken a major transformation. It has since been recognised as a leader in the field of service measurement and complaints handling. Council’s approach to quality service is through integrated systems of accountability, control and measurement. This paper will highlight the need for an integrated approach to service delivery particularly in the infrastructure maintenance area. It can be best explained using a balanced score card approach. It will give a practical view of changing the culture of a work place to deliver improved service. The author will also highlight many real examples of how he went about this process for the Engineering Services area of the Shire.

Education and Training

• Training in the Civil Construction Industry in Queensland - 01 June 2005
  Bates, Mal
  

Emergency Management

• THE APPLICATION OF RISK MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES TO MUNICIPAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PRACTICE - 22 August 1999
  Cawood, Michael; Jones, Roger & Durham, Ken
  A methodology for local disaster management planning based on Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 4360:1995 – Risk Management has been developed as an out-working of a Flood Risk Study for Murweh Shire. The methodology has relevance to all local governments, particularly in view of National Disaster Relief Arrangements (NDRA) that now link the extent of NDRA funding available for a re-occurring natural disaster event to the existence of disaster mitigation actions or plans. This places a premium on actions being taken by local governments to mitigate public safety risk at community level.

Environmental

• ERNIE CREEK ROAD - 10 December 2003
  Lee, John
  Its not every day an engineer is asked to design a proposed road planned for over 20 years,and in the process, not only to satisfy resident expectations, but have need to avoid acid frogs, glossy black cockatoos, ground parrots, christmas bells, tiny wattles, fish habitats, koalas and other rare and threatened flora and fauna bounded by a National Park and knowing that agreement from the various State Agencies would require a rigorous assessment.
• Winning the Waste Game - an M & M approach - 11 November 2002
  John Riggall & Colin Seaborn
  There are many players in the Waste Game – councils, governments, residents, businesses, individuals and interest groups. The scoring system is complex, being based on the level of satisfaction with services provided and economic, social and environmental effects. As with any game, rules are changing, so players need to be aware and make adjustments to their game plan. For example the government’s strategic state-wide approach will be helpful to all players, but increases in the waste levy and the likelihood of more stringent landfill licensing and monitoring may not be welcome for some. This paper provides case studies of how some players are responding to waste avoidance and resource recovery challenges. It recognises that a strategic framework will help councils assess their particular needs, and outlines the principles underpinning the framework, namely an M & M approach – developing integrated systems to Minimise resource use and Maximise resource recovery. At a detailed action level, an outline is provided of a rating process which has been used by the authors to help council assess options against various criteria. This will enable the right tactics to be decided for the game. The paper is relevant for local government engineers who have responsibility for developing and/or implementing waste management strategies.
• Resource Recovery Maximisation in regional NSW - 11 November 2002
  Phil Hawley & Miles Lochhead
  The recovery of discarded resources has been an emerging issue within major Australian cities for the last decade or so. However there has, until recently, been little incentive for regional centres to apply the same effort to resource recovery. Wingecarribee Shire Council, through it’s forward thinking Wast Management Strategy, saw the need to maximise its resource recovery from both environmental and economic perspectives. To achieve this, it developed a state-of-the-art resource recovery centre at Moss Vale. This paper describes the development of the Resource Recovery Centre (RRC) and the impact that this facility has on the local community. It describes a model that would be suitable for replication by other similarly sized regional communities.
• Porters Creek integrated waste management and recycling park - 11 November 2002
  Anthony Reed
  The Paper discusses the processes undertaken by Ryde City Council in progressing the development opportunities for a disused sanitary landfill located at North Ryde. This site has operated as a Waste Management Facility since it was commissioned in 1969. Waste Service NSW constructed and commissioned the Waste Transfer Station adjacent to the site in 1985. Since that date, Council has utilised the site for construction waste processing and materials stockpiling. In 1992, Council recognised the need for a facility that would reuse the material from the waste stream. Council commenced community consultation in 1997 and the consultation is still progressing.
• THE COOLUM BOARDWALK – SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY & GOVERNMENT PROJECT DELIVERY - 22 October 2002
  Andrew Ryan
  
• RIDING THE WAVE TO SUSTAINABILITY; A FISHERIES PERSPECTIVE - 22 October 2002
  Samantha Miller and Ross Quinn
  
• Kelvin Grove Urban Village: - An opportunity to demonstrate ESD leadership in Urban Renewal - 22 October 2002
  Mark Reardon and Tanya Sideris
  
• Why did the fish cross the Road? Ways to improve natural flows and fish passage through culverts - 17 September 2002
  Sarah Fairfull
  "Road crossings of waterways throughout Australia have often been built without considering potential impacts on the movement of fish under varying flow conditions. Native fish need ..."
• Environmental Management for Road Works - 17 September 2002
  Steve O'Rourke
  
• Aboriginal Landform Artworks - 15 November 2001
  
  
• Environmental Stream - 30 October 2001
  Various
  The synopses for all of the papers that are to be presented in the Environmental Stream for the NSW 2nd Annual Conference are now available.
• IDENTIFICATION OF METHANE HAZARDS NEAR LANDFILLS IN LOW LYING AREAS - IS THE LANDFILL TO BLAME? - 23 October 2001
  David Hojem , Ian Hosking , Manuel Fernandez & Paul Wise
  
• IMPLEMENTATION OF STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLANS – “IT COSTS A LOT TO BUILD BAD PRODUCTS” - 22 October 2001
  Peter J. Morison & Geoffrey J. Hunter
  
• SETTLEMENT SHORES - THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF RESIDENTIAL CANAL DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN A MAJOR FLOODPLAIN - 19 October 2001
  Graeme McIlwain & Doug Boys
  
• GROUND PENETRATING RADAR TO IDENTIFY ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE SUB SURFACE AREAS IN ROAD DESIGN - 19 October 2001
  Melanie Kennedy
  
• IMPROVING THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY RELIABILITY TO SEWERAGE FACILITIES IN DUBBO - 17 October 2001
  Stewart Mcleod , Peter Halyburton & Kevin Rugg
  
• Conflicts in Change – The Roads Act 1993 versus The Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (as amended) - 17 October 2001
  Chris Edwards
  

Erosion and Sediment Control

• The Use of Geotextile Sand Containers for Erosion Control - 01 June 2005
  Farrell, Greg
  
• The Use of Geofrabrics Containment Bags - 26 May 2005
  Timms, David
  
• EROSION & SEDIMENT CONTROL - PRODUCTS AND PITFALLS - 22 October 2002
  John Powell
  
• THE SEARCH FOR SUSTAINABLE BEACH PROTECTION FOR NOOSA MAIN BEACH - 22 October 2002
  Rod Williams
  

Fleet Management

• FLEET MANAGEMENT - THE MANUAL AND THE PROCESS - 10 December 2003
  Andrews, Grant & Wright, Ian
  This paper highlights the six most critical measurement tools that need to be addressed and regularly analysed to comply with Vehicle and Plant Management best practice. (1) Utilisation (2) Optimum replacement points (3) Whole of life costs (4) Downtime costs (5) Maintenance Failure records (6) Flat rate repair times
• Fleet Management in Coffs Harbour City Council - 17 September 2002
  Wendy Sharpe
  "Plant is one of the most prominent and well-utilised investments that council has and it is through developed strategies in fleet management ..."
• Plant & Truck Issues - 17 September 2002
  Mark Mills
  
• FLEETSAFE – HOW TO IMPROVE DRIVER AND VEHICLE SAFETY IN COUNCILS - 19 October 2001
  Phil Sochon & Graham Brisbane
  
• REVIEW OF SUTHERLAND SHIRE COUNCIL’S LIGHT VEHICLE FLEET - 17 October 2001
  Brian Coustley
  
• THE LIVERPOOL NATURAL GAS VEHICLE PROJECT - 22 August 1999
  Creber, Guy
  Liverpool City Council has resolved to convert its entire car fleet and much of the remainder of its motor vehicle fleet to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fuel operation over the next five years. The project is about championing the use of CNG in motor vehicles as a safe, environmentally responsible alternative fuel to petrol, diesel and LPG. The use of CNG as a motor vehicle fuel provides the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the air quality, health and economic well being of our community. The impetus for the project was provided by recognition that the Liverpool region in particular, and Western Sydney in general, has the highest levels of air pollution in Australia. The first stage of the project is the conversion of twenty passenger and light commercial vehicles as a demonstration project. The conversion has commenced. Environmental emission testing and economic analysis has been carried out on the first batch of converted vehicles. The results are very encouraging with significant reductions in emissions and fuel costs. The challenge is to convince other motor vehicle owners and fleet operators to give CNG fuel a go.

Information Technology

• THE INTERNET: A NEW MEDIUM TO SERVICE YOUR COMMUNITY - 22 August 1999
  Champion, Chris
  Worldwide, 100 million people were connected to the Internet in 1998. In the year 2005 it is estimated that 1 billion people will be connected. Traffic on the Internet is doubling every 100 days. Can you afford to ignore the impact of the Internet on the way you service your community any longer? This is a clear challenge as we lead into the new millennium. Information management and technology will be a key catalyst for changing the way we provide information and service our community in the future. The Internet and the World Wide Web have moved from entertainment into powerful and useful business tools. It is now not sufficient to have a mere presence on the Internet. A site must be properly planned following clear objectives with a measurable outcome. A web site without purpose will become a “lonely billboard in cyberspace”. The presentation of the Paper will include examples of how some public agencies are using the Internet to better inform and better service their communities. It will illustrate the potential of the Internet to streamline processes and to provide quicker response to our citizens.

International Issues

• BEST PRACTICE, INNOVATION & DIVERSITY IN THE UK - 23 January 2004
  Bradshaw, Tom
  Reports on the outcomes of the 2003 National Study Tour to the UK. The tour included attendance at the SOLACE Conference in Edinburgh and visits to a number of UK Councils. Topics include UK LG structure, management practice, comprehensive performance assessment, water supply, water quality and wastewater issues, and asset management.
• Australian Engineers Assisting the Worlds Hot spots - 13 November 2002
  Ray Coughran
  RedR Australia (Registered Engineers for Disaster Relief) is a humanitarian organisation which maintains a Register of skilled and experienced technical professionals including engineers, to meet the needs of front-line aid agencies. Its services include site planning and shelter, water supply and sanitation, roads and bridges, logistics and communications, training, financial and project management, and demining Ray Coughran, a civil engineering consultant from northern NSW has spent 12 months in Chechnya and Ingushetia, and has just returned from a further 6-month spell in Quetta, and Peshawar in Pakistan. His paper at the conference will recount some of his experiences with RedR at these locations.
• East Timor AUSAID project - 13 November 2002
  Greg Moran
  The people of East Timor have been left with a legacy of poverty and devastation. East Timor is a harsh but beautiful little country with incredible natural appeal and will one day probably be on the tourist run. Many years of civil unrest, guerilla warfare and finally an Indonesian withdrawal saw what infrastructure was in place destroyed and severely curtailed. A team of willing workers from the North-West of New South Wales went to Dili and then Samelette in the mountains to assist in the building and setting up of medical centres at two villages but ended up building bridges of friendship with the local people and learning some Tetun to boot.

Legislation

• PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (WATER) POLICY 1997 - IMPACTS ON DEVELOPERS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS - 22 December 2005
  Nugent, Aletta
  

  The Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 1997 (Policy)The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking to amend the Policy to include environmental values and water quality objectives specific to waters in Douglas Shire, the Mary River Basin/Great Sandy Region and Moreton Bay/South-east Queensland. It has also introduced draft Queensland water quality guidelines.

  While the development of these environmental values, water quality objectives and water quality guidelines is a positive step forward in dealing with water quality issues in Queensland, they do not apply to all of the State, and therefore much of the State is still required to refer to the default provisions in the Policy and default guidelines.

  The impact of these proposed amendments and the draft water quality guidelines remains to be seen. Given the Policy itself is not presently applied in a certain or consistent manner, the effect of the changes is likely to be inconsistent and uncertain.

• Public Works Projects on Reserve Land - 25 September 2004
  Gilkerson, Oliver
  Legal Issues – Requirements under the Land Act 1994. Policy Issues - – Government land management and Land Act policies. Practices & Procedures – Procedures & practices of DNRM&E in administering reserve land dealings.
• Security for Payment - 25 September 2004
  Morrissey, Bill
  The Building and Construction Industry Payment Act was passed on 11 May 2004. The majority of it commences on 1 October 2004. It will apply to contracts entered into after 1 October 2004 be they oral or in writing.
• Report for the National Roads Congress - 13 November 2002
  Kevin Bickhoff
  This year’s Congress had several reports relating to different approaches to road funding and State / Local co-operation. Two papers highlighted the need to embrace asset management planning. The Australian Automobile Association drew together statistics relating to costs of traffic accidents and current levels of road funding. There are concerns that the “direction” of efforts may not be the same as intended at Moree. The current Roads to Recovery /Asset Management project has been refocussed on a review of the Roads to Recovery process and its effectiveness. The proceedings of the Congress are available from the Internet at http://www.alga.asn.au/
• Recent Changes to Mine Safety Legislation: Mines Inspection Act - General Rule 2000 - 12 November 2002
  Rob Regan
  Regulatory control of mine safety in NSW, follows the model proposed by the Robens Committee, UK. This model imposes a “duty of care” on persons or entities having control of workplaces. Performance outcomes are specified and a systematic framework is set down, within which appropriate (best) practices may be applied. Procedure and standards are minimised in legislation, but are applied by calling up Australian and International Standards, Codes of Practice and Industry Guidelines. The responsibility of industry and Mineral Resources NSW Safety Operations Unit with respect to enforcement of health and safety standards in mines, investigation, assessment and sanctions and prosecution are outlined. The approach to improvement in safety education standards in small mines, through the Mineral Resources NSW Small Mines Campaign, relates the practice of putting duty of care to work.
• Semi rigid pipes - Research and Design - 12 November 2002
  Peter Sutherland
  FRC Pipe satisfying the requirements of AS 4139, 1993 is installed as a rigid pipe according to the design principles of AS 3725 “Loads on buried concrete pipes”. It has been observed that the FRC Pipe in a buried installation is able to sustain loads substantially in excess of the design code requirement. James Hardie R&D team were asked to investigate this and undertook a detailed investigation and experimental programme of soil box testing. The 1993 AS 4139 Standard required FRC pipe to have sufficient strength to resist failure after 50 years of sustained three edge bearing loading equivalent to 1.5 times the design cracking load of an equivalent class of steel reinforced concrete pipe. The proposed revisions to the Standard recognises that the FRC pipe may exhibit flexible properties and that in-ground deflections are significantly lower than those exhibited by the pipe in the unrestrained condition.
• Successful campaign to reinstate power of entry for NSW Local Government - 12 November 2002
  Mike Rayner
  The Local Government Act 1919 conferred appropriate power of entry provisions for local government to exercise its water supply, sewerage and stormwater functions on private property. The Local Government Act 1993 and Roads Act 1993 severely restricted the ability of Councils to undertake works on private property. Without the reinstatement of appropriate easements Council’s powers were effectively limited to inspections and investigations. The NSW Local Government Water Directorate pursued the power of entry issue from November 1999 as a high priority action in its inception year. Councils were surveyed to determine the extent of the existing easements, as the 1993 legislation did not provide any exemptions for ‘pre 1993 infrastructure’. Some 85% of properties were shown not to be appropriately covered. The survey indicated that the likely cost of creating easements in non-metropolitan NSW would be in the order of $1.275 billion. The Water Directorate, in conjunction with the Lgov developed a strategy to have the 1919 powers reinstated into the 1993 Act. This paper provides an outline of the process adopted that led to the successful reinstatement of Power of Entry provisions on 25 June 2002. The outcome is an example of what can be achieved by developing partnerships between technical and political organisations on a state-wide integrated basis.
• PROGRAMMING LEGAL COMPLIANCE INTO PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS - 19 October 2002
  Oliver Gilkerson and Michael Farrell
  
• THE NONFEASANCE DECISION – 1 YEAR ON - 19 October 2002
  Stephen Fynes-Clinton
  

Liability Issues

• The Road Safety Risk Manager - Game, Set, Match for Managing your Road Safety INterventions - 11 November 2002
  Rob McInerney
  Local government road authorities are under increasing pressure and necessity to manage road safety related issues under their control. With the High Court decision in May 2001, it is now critical that authorities adopt a proactive approach to managing road safety risk. The ARRB Transport Research and Austroads developed Road Safety Risk Manager will provide authorities with a powerful tool to manage, prioritise and track the status of road safety issues on their networks. The focus of the software is to provide road safety professionals with a tool to proactively assess road safety hazards and treatments for the purpose of prioritising actions. When the game is selecting which treatment will provide the greatest return the Road Safety Risk Manager can help practitioners win the game! The software also provides a simple way to track the status of any issue or record any actions taken, allowing traceability and transparency in decision making, and assisting road safety managers demonstrate a responsible approach to managing road safety risk.
• Highways Liability and the investigation of road traffic accidents - 11 November 2002
  Paul Hillier
  The presentation begins with an overview of the techniques of crash investigation and reconstruction, providing an indication of the level of scrutiny to which a road authority can be subject in the investigation of highway related personal injury claims. The concept of highways liability is then introduced, with selected case studies being introduced to demonstrate particular highway features or road authority practices that cause concern or which can compromise the ability of the authority, their agents and contractors to raise a defence against civil claims for personal injury compensation. The key concept of “prior knowledge” is then discussed, along with those interactions that affect the highways function, outlining how weaknesses between otherwise good design standards and systems of work can compromise road user safety and dramatically increase the vulnerability of the road authority. The session closes with a brief insight into how highways related claims are investigated by expert witnesses and assessed by the Court.
• Legislation to replace non feasance immunity in NSW? How will it work and what will Councils have to do? - 11 November 2002
  Bill Woodcock
  On the 31st May 2001 road authorities received a rude, but some say an overdue shock. We could no longer hide behind Non Feasance Immunity. State and Local Governments are grappling with this problem and it is now down to the State Governments to devise legislative mechanisms to fill the void and try to recover some order. This paper explores the outcomes of this process and details some of the implications and opportunities in NSW to allow us to win the game and not lose the plot.
• Feasance and Non-Feasance Developments - 11 November 2002
  Stephen Taylor-Jones
  Stephen’s paper will explain the obligations of road authorities following the abolition of the Non-Feasance immunity, discuss pro-active steps which are available to public authorities responsible for roads, footpaths and public thoroughfares so as to protect them from litigation, and consider the potential impact of the Civil Liability Amendment (Personal Responsibility) Bill of 2002 as regards the duty owed by public authorities in relation to pedestrians and road users.

Life Management

• FUTURE SCENARIOS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT - 19 October 2002
  Susanne Haydon
  
• Balance the Wave to Sustainability in Life and Work - 18 October 2002
  Iain Duguid
  

Local Government Reform

• ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO REFORM IN REGIONAL AND RURAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT - 22 December 2005
  Dollery, Brian
  Australian local government finds itself at the vortex of various mounting pressures, including acute funding shortages, complex intergovernmental relationships, and forced structural reform programs, that have made the status quo unsustainable. State government policymakers have placed heavy emphasis on council amalgamations as their chief means of resolving the problems facing municipal governance. This paper argues that such reliance on the blunt instrument of municipal consolidation has been misplaced, not only because it is based on the mistaken premise that ‘bigger is better’ in local governance, but also because it ignores many other promising alternatives to amalgamation involving various combinations of structural change and process change better suited to the extremely diverse character of regional and rural local government in Australia.

Maintenance

• Environmental Management of Road and Bridge Maintenance Activities - 17 September 2002
  David Cory
  "Road Services is the construction and maintenance arm of the NSW Roads & Traffic Authority (RTA) Operations Directorate. It is the RTA service delivery business, concentrating on road ..."

Management

• Facing the Tender Process with Confidence - 26 May 2005
  McCosker, Brad
  Any exercise of power which potentially has the benefit to confer considerable financial rewards upon those favoured by such an exercise of power, and to deny such financial rewards to competitors, is self evidently a power susceptible to bribery and corruption.
• WE'RE FROM THE LGAQ AND WE'RE HERE TO HELP - 10 December 2003
  Enright, Lindsay
  LGAQ The LGAQ is the peak body representing 125 individual city, town and shire Councils as well as 10 Aboriginal and Islander Community Councils in Queensland.
• Building Batemans Bay's Future CBD - Public-Private Partnerships in Local Government - 11 November 2002
  Andrew Parkinson
  Public – private partnerships were used by Eurobodalla Shire Council to solve a carparking problem in Batemans Bay’s CBD.

  The partnerships involved working with:

  1. The Department of Education and Training to relocate a school from the CBD;

  2. A private developer to redevelop the school site, who had to meet Council’s strict requirements for the site.

  The result was a solution to the carparking needs, a new school located closer to its feeder community on larger grounds and a stronger retail centre for Batemans Bay, all at a lower cost than constructing a multi-deck carpark to solve the original problem.

• Port Macquarie industrial area stormwater pollution control - integrated solutions for sustainable outcomes - 11 November 2002
  Mehreen Faruqi
  The Port Macquarie Industrial Area was identified as a stormwater ‘hotspot’ in the Hastings Urban Stormwater Management Plan. Council was successful in acquiring a $600,000 grant from the NSW Government’s Stormwater Trust to carry out a program to improve stormwater quality discharging to SEPP 14 wetlands and a large nature reserve. A variety of structural and non-structural measures were successfully implemented to provide a cost-effective solution which met community values and Council’s commitments. This paper discusses the outcomes of all measures implemented with particular emphasis on tools used to implement and evaluate the education program. Lessons learnt through various project phases are also discussed. The importance of a coordinated and integrated approach, applied learning and community involvement to achieve sustained performance were key features in the success of this program.
• Civic Maintenance Contractors - A case study in commercialisation - 11 November 2002
  Klaus Kerzinger & Mick Raby
  Local government is continually searching for ways to increase efficiency and effectiveness of its workforce. In addition local government income sources have been limited and constrained by factors such as rate pegging making it imperative that alternative sources of income are explored. City Managers are also searching for means to demonstrate that their administrations are delivering best value to their communities. Bankstown City Council’s works and services division, Civic Services Group (CSG) has, through a process of commercialisation, developed a number of business operations, which are now returning profits back to the Bankstown Community. Civic Maintenance Contractors (CMC) provides a range of construction services using day labour and contractors. The development of CMC has enabled CSG to capture an important market segment, create a number of valuable partnering arrangements, value add to work performed by contractors and ensure the highest standards of quality and safety are maintained. This paper describes the development of CMC and the lessons learned along the way. Issues such as cost benefit of contract staff versus day labour, staff and contractor training, legal contractual arrangements, administrative systems to ensure budgetary control, and the importance of quality systems and effective marketing strategies are discussed.
• Holistic Management : Asset Planning and Development - 11 November 2002
  Lois Besnard
  Wollongong City Council has adopted a holistic management model for social infrastructure by integrating the planning, development and operational management of its community facilities portfolio. Consistent with the direction of the organisation, the planning and development of these public work projects is underpinned by the principles of risk management, quality improvement, community development and sustainability. The opening of Dapto Ribbonwood Centre, a $12 million community centre and library, in October 2001 provides Council with its second largest asset (over 4,600m2) and the community with a centre with multiple community services and varied use public space all under the one roof. This superb Centre epitomises the success of Wollongong City Council’s holistic approach to asset planning and development.
• IPWEA ON THE WAVE TO SUSTAINABILITY - 22 October 2002
  Ross Moody
  
• Tamworth City Levee Construction - 17 September 2002
  Kim Woodbury
  " Tamworth is located on the Peel River which flows into the Namoi River and then on to the Darling and Murray River systems. Three other streams joins the Peel River at Tamworth: the..."
• Career Development - 06 November 2001
  Ron Patton
  
• The Political Engineer - 06 November 2001
  Ross Macellar
  
• Power of Entry - Local Government N.S.W. - 05 November 2001
  Ken Halstead
  
• TRENDS IN PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION PRACTICE FOR PUBLIC WORKS IN AUSTRALIA - 02 November 2001
  John Davis
  
• Management - 30 October 2001
  Various
  The synopses for all the papers for the Management Stream are now available to download
• What can we Learn from Local Government in North America? - 26 October 2001
  Leigh Robins
  
• Risk Management and Local Government - 22 October 2001
  Ron Barnes
  
• Melodrama Session: The Contracts - 19 October 2001
  Bill Woodcock
  
• MIND THE GAP- A look at Public Liability and Risk Management - 19 October 2001
  David Andrews
  
• STANDARDISATION OF TENDERING AND CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION - 19 October 2001
  Richard Minter
  
• DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT – THE IMPORTANCE OF ENGINEERING INPUT INTO THE DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL - 17 October 2001
  Jacqueline Hansen
  
• FOUR WEDDINGS and a FUNERAL: a “Dummies” Guide to Surviving and Amalgamation - 17 October 2001
  Phil Willis
  
• MEASURING THE ROAD MAINTENANCE FUNDING GAP - 17 October 2001
  Wilton Boyd & George Giummarra
  
• A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO MENTORING IN QUEENSLAND DEPARTMENT OF MAIN ROADS - 17 October 2001
  Michael Brady
  
• THE EUROSYS DATABASE - 17 October 2001
  Lei Parker
  

Medical

• Men's Health - 17 September 2002
  Dr John Trollor
  "The idea of harmony and equilibrium as an aspect of health has been around since before Christ. Plato (429-347 BC) saw health as a harmony among body processes. Galen (129-200) wrote ..."

New Technology

• RAISING LENTHALLS DAM – A CASE STUDY IN NEW TECHNOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT - 22 October 2002
  Tim Waldron, David Murray and Allan Crichton
  
• FIBRE COMPOSITES IN INFRASTRUCTURE-APPLICATIONS AND ISSUES - 19 October 2002
  Tim Heldt, Gerard Van Erp, and Craig Cattell
  

Occupational Health & Safety

• Implications for Public Places of Work - 12 November 2002
  David Abbott
  In these times of greater legislative control and the propensity for litigation it is pertinent to “Winning the Game” that local government should be cognisant of the need to comply with the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulation, particularly where the “workplace” is also a public place. The paper explores the problems and issues associated with public liability in conjunction with those of occupational health and safety. How they can be so different and yet so similar in many ways. It discusses the need for processes and procedures that may assist in minimising the exposure to risk.
• Occupational Health & Safety - 17 September 2002
  Gerry Holmes
  

Pavements

• THIN BITUMINOUS SURFACINGS IN EUROPE - 19 August 2004
  Rasmussen, Lars
  The report covers a range of topics relating to thin surfacing or bitumen slurry technology used in Europe. The process and technology was discussed with contracting companies in Denmark and France. The report further deals with contract management and tendering process as conducted by a council in Denmark.

Private Financing

• IS BUILD-OWN-OPERATE-TRANSFER A SOLUTION TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT’S INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING PROBLEMS? - 22 August 1999
  Arndt, Raphael
  Australian local government is experiencing funding shortfalls concurrently with increasing infrastructure maintenance and renewal requirements. Ratepayers are unwilling to bear these costs and, in many cases, local governments are restricted from raising rates beyond certain levels. Local government has therefore considered using a variety of structures such as Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) to involve the private sector in the delivery of many of the infrastructure related services it provides. Where complex delivery methods such as BOOT are adopted, local government professionals may lack the experience to negotiate effectively with private sector service providers. If quality services are to be obtained at the lowest cost for ratepayers, local governments must create clear processes for awarding BOOT contracts and develop frameworks for assessing bids and allocating project risks.

Professional Services

• Institute of Public Works Engineering Queensland - 01 June 2005
  Barnes-Gillard, Suzanna
  
• Queensland Water Directorate - 01 June 2005
  Girard, Mark
  

Recreation Facility Management

• Public Swimming Pools for Fitness and Leisure - 26 May 2005
  Cockerell, Allan
  Well designed and constructed municipal Well designed and constructed municipal pools should last 50 years with a minimum pools should last 50 years with a minimum of maintenance costs.
• HERVEY BAY LIVING STREETS - THE DEVELOPMENT IMPLEMENTATION OF A WALK AND CYCLE PLAN - 11 December 2003
  Zwart, Jerryn
  The paper describes the project and the process undertaken to develop the “Hervey Bay Living Streets Strategy-A Walk and Cycle Plan”. The Living Streets Strategy not only focuses on the planning and prioritisation of infrastructure improvements, but strategies to encourage people to use walking and cycling as a means of social interaction, recreation and transport. The paper outlines the Living Streets Strategy with particular emphasis on the community engagement and partnerships established.
• OUTDOOR RECREATION FACILITIES IN NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS - 22 August 1999
  Lawson, Bill & Booth, Graeme
  Government and semi-government authorities in Australasia who own or control outdoor recreation facilities in natural environments are showing increasing interest in outdoor structures. Typical are national park authorities who have a range of facilities ranging from viewing platforms regularly subject to crowd loadings to rope crossings for streams on remote bushwalking tracks frequented by only the most hardy and experienced bushwalkers. The increased concern stems in part from the findings of the Commission of Inquiry into the collapse of a viewing platform at Cave Creek in New Zealand in April 1995. The platform collapsed and fell about 30 metres killing 14 young people and injuring others. The challenge is to provide the appropriate facilities for various user groups and manage these assets in a responsible way. The paper describes the particular conditions pertaining to outdoor structures and their use. It examines why these structures are not adequately covered by existing building type codes and what work has been done in New Zealand and Australia accordingly.

Risk Management

• ASSISTING YOUR BARRISTER - ACCIDENT RECONSTRUCTION CASE STUDY - 05 August 2005
  Boyd, John
  As engineers we are often asked to write reports on incidents or accidents. However, when it comes to assisting our legal representatives in court we tend to be overlooked in favour of administrative or corporate staff. Our technical expertise as part of the team in a major case is essential in presenting the strongest possible defence against a claim. This paper presents a case study where expertise from Council’s Engineering staff made a significant contribution in the defence of a civil claim against Council.
• Cost Effectiveness of CCTV Inspection of Underground Assets - 01 June 2005
  Knabel, Ian
  
• BETTER RISK MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN PUBLIC CLIENTS AND PRIVATE SECTOR PROJECT CONSULTANTS - 10 December 2003
  Charles, Therese
  The current professional indemnity (PI) insurance market in Australia for consulting engineers is characterised by restriction of supply, increasingly high costs, and increasing exclusions being imposed by insurers on the types of services being provided by consultants. Within this difficult PI environment, many public and private sector clients are continuing to impose onerous contract conditions including uninsurable indemnities and warranties, together with high levels of required PI insurance cover. These strategies directly impact on the capacity of firms to effectively manage risk and can lead to costly disputes and litigation.
• RISK ASSESMENT FOR ROAD NETWORKS AND BRIDGES - 10 December 2003
  Giummarra, George
  The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of recent research and development at ARRB Transport Research that can provide Local Government with a total solution to managing risk of road networks and bridges. The two main components of the approach involve a network level risk assessment to determine high priority sections or bridges that then links closely with the local assessment, prioritisation and tracking of individual safety hazards and potential remediation projects.
• Risk Management – the - 18 October 2002
  Wayne Brogden
  

Road Maintenance

• Road Investment Strategy and Project Prioritisation - 01 June 2005
  Way, Peter
  
• LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND MAIN ROADS WORKING TOGETHER FOR QUEENSLAND ROAD USERS - 11 December 2003
  Skinner, Derek
  This paper deals with two recent MR initiatives - project+ and improving road maintenance delivery though partnerships - both specifically aimed at ensuring road projects deliver the right solution, are affordable and meet expectations.The paper discusses key elements of each initiative and their relevance for local government, and suggests strategies for working together to progress them.
• WET OR DRY? - 11 December 2003
  Shaw, Rob
  This paper describes an audit carried out for Gunnedah Shire Council in NSW, which evaluated alternative maintenance techniques for gravel roads, including the relative merits of wet or dry maintenance. The audit also evaluated techniques for gravel patching and resheeting. The merits of using innovative attachments such as serrated grader blades and “free-roll” rollers, were also evaluated. The recommendations from the audit will assist council engineers to make informed decisions about best practice maintenance techniques for their Shire.
• FOUR LEVEL ROAD HIERARCHY FOR MACKAY - 11 December 2003
  McClurg, Brett, Eppell, Eppell & Coonan, Dan
  Work undertaken over the past six years for Mackay City Council and over previous years through other areas of the state has lead to the development of a four level road hierarchy. This hierarchy structure enables the designation of roadways into particular classifications to assist in addressing many issues including land use planning, access provision, road reserve width and geometric form.
• USING A COMPUTERISED MODEL TO MANAGE YOUR UNSEALED ROADS NETWORK - 11 December 2003
  Shepherd, Darren
  Believing that there was a better way of managing expenditure on unsealed roads, Darren Shepherd has developed a computer-based system to help councils to guide maintenance budgets, programs and objectives.
• THE DEVELOPMENT OF A STRATEGIC APPROACH TO RURAL ROAD MANAGEMENT - 10 December 2003
  Barry, Kevin
  The development of a greater understanding by road users and other stakeholders of the issues affecting the road network and their costs promotes cost-effective management of these roads through the minimisation of reactive road works. The processes described achieve community endorsement of the road work activities undertaken by councils on, and through the fact that they have had a say in the planning of these works.
• ROADS TO RECOVERY PROGRAM - 10 December 2003
  Howard, John
  The paper covers the review of the Commonwealth Government’s $1.2 billion Roads to Recovery Program. The review found that the Roads to Recovery funds have generally been well used in ways consistent with the intention of the programme, namely to address the backlog of works on local roads. The paper argues the case for local government to take the initiative in developing a national database and set of performance indicators for transport assets to present and argue the case for investment in national transport infrastructure to government and the community.
• ROAD NETWORK PLANNING & FUNCTIONAL ROAD HIERARCHIES - 10 December 2003
  Dripps, Valerie
  Road Network Planning in the Department of Main Roads is important to manage the road network to achieve desirable outcomes. Local Governments and Main Roads have responsibilities to manage their existing road networks and effectively plan for new urban and rural roads. Main Roads planning documents provide the strategies for successful results. Functional road hierarchies are effective classification systems that can be used to describe and classify roads by function for planning purposes. Links to Local Governments and implications of legislation are examined. The need for all Local Governments to adopt and implement a functional road hierarchy is advocated.
• A draft specification for supply of recycled material for roads, drainage and fill - 12 November 2002
  Brad Deane
  In NSW demolition activity generates approximately 930,000 tonnes [1] of Masonry Material every year. In the past this material was sent straight to landfill. More recently, there has been increased recognition that this material is not a waste, but a valuable resource. It can be used in a variety of civil applications and perform to predetermined standards.

  The Draft Specification is the first industry wide specification for the use of recycled materials in local roads, other pavements and civil works. The development of this Draft Specification has been jointly funded by Resource NSW (formerly NSW Waste Boards), the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia (IPWEA) and the C&D Division of the Waste Management Association of Australia (WMAA).

• Federal black spot funding - How to make sure your Council's submission is a winner - 12 November 2002
  John Hely
  As the IPWEA representative on the Federal Black Spot Consultative Panel, I have reviewed over $75 million in value of projects since 1997. Some council’s take full advantage of this funding opportunity to eliminate crash sites. Of concern is that many council’s, both urban and rural, are missing out, often due to inadequate assessment, incomplete data and non-complying or ineligible proposals. By providing an overview of this Federal Program, the role and makeup of the Panel including insight into successful projects, their type, value and location it is intended to encourage winning bids. Key issues are presented including the eligibility criteria; project evaluation; the benefit/cost ratio for funding allocation and contacts for assistance. The presentation of this Paper will include examples of the accident review and assessment process, to assist councils in submitting projects for Federal funding.
• PLANNING AND NEGOTIATING THROUGH A COMPLEX ARTERIAL ROAD PROJECT – A SUCCESSFUL APPROACH - 22 October 2002
  Paul McDonald
  
• Development of a Strategic Plan for Rural Roads - 22 October 2002
  John McGeorge
  
• GATT Pavement Surfacing - 18 October 2002
  Boral Asphalt
  
• Mills Road,City of Greater Bendigo 1999 - 18 October 2002
  Boral Asphalt
  
• Erosion & Sediment Controls in Main Roads - 18 October 2002
  John Burton
  

Road Safety

• Thematic Road Safety Audits - 12 November 2002
  Graham Brisbane & Samantha Yee
  Over the past decade, Road Authorities in Australia have recognised the potential of Road Safety Audits as an effective means of preventing potential crashes and reducing the severity of crashes should they occur. Thematic Audits are an element of Road Safety Audits that have been introduced by the RTA to focus on a particular aspect or use of a facility (the ‘theme’) in the road environment. The purpose of thematic audits is to focus on specific recurrent problematic issues to make the road safer in the future. Thematic audits not only address individual areas of concern in the network, but over time knowledge gained from these audits will provide the opportunity to improve guidelines, improve training and change practices, thereby promoting continuous improvement. This paper will outline the principles of thematic audits and their applicability as a road safety tool.
• THE ROAD SAFETY RISK MANAGER – A TOOL TO HELP SUSTAIN LIVES - 22 October 2002
  Rob McInerney
  
• Conflicts in Change – The Roads Act 1993 versus The Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (as amended) - 15 November 2001
  Chris Edwards
  
• The Local Government Road Safety Program – Partnership Opportunities for Local Councils. - 06 November 2001
  Catherine Parker
  
• Road Safety Stream - 30 October 2001
  Various
  The synopses for all the papers for the Road Safety Stream (Tuesday 30th October 2001) are now available to download
• BEHAVIOUR CHANGE FOR ROAD SAFETY: BEYOND LOGIC - 22 October 2001
  Dallas Fell
  
• WET OR DRY? - 22 October 2001
  Rob Shaw
  
• LOCAL ROAD NETWORK PLANNING – A HASTINGS PERSPECTIVE - 19 October 2001
  Cliff Toms & Neil Graham
  
• YOUTH ON THE MOVE - 17 October 2001
  Jennifer Andrews
  
• CHILD FATALITIES AND INJURIES IN DRIVEWAYS: IDENTIFICATION OF CONTRIBUTORY FACTORS - ENVIRONMENT, BEHAVIOUR AND VEHICLES - 16 October 2001
  Abigail Hall
  
• A USER-PAYS SYSTEM FOR ROAD SAFETY EDUCATION - 22 August 1999
  Davies, Glyn
  This paper considers the responsibilities for the provision of bicycle road safety education from a local government perspective. It comments on the present system in Western Australia regarding the issues of overall coordination and funding. In particular the paper considers the situation of one local authority that has provided facilities to support the development of one of the best bicycle education training centres in Australia. Recent withdrawal of state funding support for the training however, has resulted in the need to establish the facility as a user-pays service. The paper discusses options utilised by the Council to implement such a system.

Salinity

• MAINTAINING THE ROAD INFRASTUCTURE IN SALINE PRONE AREAS - 17 July 2001
  Vorobieff, George; Wallis, Max; Murphy, Greg
  Stabilisation of pavement materials to minimise or eliminate the migration of the salt and water to the trafficked area is known to increase the life of the pavement. Road stabilisation also significantly increases the strength of the pavement to carry heavily loaded vehicles. This paper looks at pavement material properties that are likely to affect the performance of stabilised pavements in regions of high salinity. Guidelines are provided to assess existing pavement materials and subgrades, and for design rehabilitation solutions that provide pavement engineers with a rational approach to make the roads last longer under less than desirable road environments.
• PRACTICAL MEASURES WITHIN ROAD RESERVES TO AVOID DEVELOPMENT OF CATCHMENT SALINITY PROBLEMS - 17 July 2001
  Porter, Ken; Clifton, Craig
  Road Design and Asset Management Professionals typically give careful consideration to surface water issues associated with road design and construction. However they are often not as well informed about the nature and influence of groundwater flow processes on roads or of the influence of roads on those flow processes. This can result in road construction initiating or exacerbating land and water salinity issues or shallow water tables. This paper recommends initiatives that pervade into the general specification of road reserve creation and management across Australia.

Service Delivery

• SUSTAINABLE SERVICE DELIVERY IN A CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT - 11 December 2003
  Milanovic, Brian
  The topic of my paper is Sustainable Service Delivery in a Challenging Environment. It has been prepared on the basis of examples of sustainable service delivery encountered during the 2002 IPWEA Study Tour of North America which I was able to participate in as the recipient of the 2002 Fellowship awarded by the Queensland Foundation for Local Government Engineering. The Study Tour was based on visits to local authorities in Canada and the United States and included attending the annual American Public Works Association Congress in Kansas City, Missouri. The theme chosen for the Study Tour was “Towards Sustainable Communities”.
• WORKING WITH INDUSTRY SUPPLIERS TO PROVIDE EQUITABLE & VALUE FOR MONEY PROJECT DELIVERY - 10 December 2003
  Guppy, Ross
  In recent times, Main Roads has revised its approach to the selection and management of engineering consultants, the choice of project delivery approaches and consequent contract types, and its prequalification and tenderer selection processes. This paper outlines the background to these changes and the approaches now being adopted to achieve greater value for money in the delivery of projects.
• SUSTAINABLE SERVICE DELIVERY IN A CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT - 15 May 2003
  Milanovic, Brian
  Reports on the findings from the 2002 IPWEA National Study Tour to North America. Aim was to evaluate methodologies for successful delivery of engineering services in the face of environmental and economic restrictions.
• COMPETITION: FACING THE CHALLENGE - 22 August 1999
  Antczak, Stan
  Competition - an issue to embrace, an issue to challenge, an issue to ignore, these are the options that are available in facing the competitive world. Competition is not a fad that has come to disrupt Local Government temporarily. It is a global challenge and an opportunity that practitioners in all fields can utilise in changing organisational culture and in providing tangible improvements to service delivery. Competition provides the opportunity for organisations to achieve change at a greater rate than would occur otherwise. It provides organisations with the ability to enter the new millennium with a focus on real staff involvement, continuous improvement and better (best) practice principles in achieving real outcomes in effective service provision.
• PURCHASER/PROVIDER ARRANGEMENTS IN THE BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL: THE CORONATION DRIVE BUSLANE PROJECT - 22 August 1999
  Burgess, Steven & Stewart, David
  The Brisbane City Council has been through some significant structural changes in recent times culminating in the establishment of a series of purchaser/provider partnerships throughout Council in order to deliver its services to the customers. These relationships have also allowed the provider groups to compete in the marketplace for projects outside the Brisbane City Council. This competition benefits both the purchaser and provider in that it demonstrates value for money to the purchaser and exposes the provider to commercial practices. This paper will examine the experiences of one purchaser provider relationship within the Brisbane City Council highlighting advantages and pitfalls that have been discovered so far and will use a large project as example of the relationship working to deliver a result for the overall benefit of the community.

Sewerage Treatment

• WSAA CODES AND AUS-SPEC / FRIENDS OR FOES? - 17 October 2001
  David Cox & Michael Hordern
  
• COOPERATIVE FACILITATION & IMPLEMENTATION OF MAJOR TRADE WASTE AGREEMENTS - 16 October 2001
  Colin Earnshaw & Alf Grigg
  
• THE WALLSCREEN - A WORLD FIRST APPLICATION FOR SEWERAGE TREATMENT WORKS - 30 April 2000
  Krogh, Carmel
  

Standards/Specifications

• ADOPTING A UNIFORM APPROACH TO AUS-SPEC - 10 December 2003
  Bickle, Richard
  Standards Australia and the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia [IPWEA] have entered into an agreement to maintain and deliver technical specifications to the public works and civil construction industry across Australia.
• AUSSPEC DEVELOPMENT CONSTRUCTION #1 - 19 October 2002
  Pam Jenkins
  

Stormwater Management

• Flexible Pipes for Stormwater Applications - 01 June 2005
  Klouda, Peter
  
• PRACTICAL MANAGEMENT OF URBAN STORMWATER - 11 December 2003
  Sadler, Adam
  To have effective and practical management of urban stormwater, local governments need to assess catchment areas, undertaking base line monitoring, assess the catchment uses and risks, highlighting and identifying target pollutants, implementing of cost effective control measures, monitoring and implementing corrective actions.
• IS CHEMISTRY REALLY THE QUERKIEST PART OF STORMWATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT (OR IS IT THE HUMANS?) - 10 December 2003
  Collie, Troy
  All infrastructure operators have a responsibility to manage the quality of stormwater because of due diligence, corporate governance and/or direct statutory obligations. This paper quickly revisits the basic drivers for stormwater quality management but, primarily, it describes two recent projects that examine assessment or approval for the achievement of water quality objectives. The first example pertains to management and assessment at an airport site in North Queensland, regulated under Commonwealth Airports Act. The second example describes the State and Commonwealth requirements at an industrial site now under development at Gladstone.
• FREE OUR DRAINS: REGIONAL PERMITS - STAYING IN BUSINESS AND OUT OF COURT - 22 October 2002
  Adam Sadler
  
• SEMI RIGID PIPES - RESEARCH & DESIGN - 22 October 2002
  Peter Sutherland
  
• SUSTAINABLE URBAN DRAINAGE SYSTEM (SUDS) A NEW - 18 October 2002
  Ian Bryant
  
• INTEGRATION OF SUSTAINABLE STORMWATER - 18 October 2002
  Rodney Barry and Robbie Marshall
  
• MODERN DESIGN PHILOSOPHIES, METHODS AND TOOLS FOR URBAN STORMWATER MANAGEMENT - 30 April 2000
  O'Loughlin, Geoffrey & Peterson, Robert
  a short summary should go here
• STORMWATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES - 22 August 1999
  Hunter, Geoff
  In 1997, at the 9th Local Government Engineering Conference in Melbourne Geoff Hunter was awarded the IMEA/SKM Bursary, to investigate Comprehensive Stormwater Management in New Zealand and the United State of America. The itinerary allowed him to investigate stormwater management practices at a number of Regional, City and County Councils throughout Auckland (NZ), and Oregon and Washington states in the USA. He also visited with Civil Engineering consultants in Oregon and Indiana, and Universities in Oregon, Georgia and Florida. This paper attempts to put into words many of the stormwater programs and practices Geoff investigated during the 5 week tenure of the Bursary.

Study Tour

• 2004 National Study Tour - USA - 09 May 2006
  GALEA, Harry
  The 2004 Tour group visited four (4) local government authorities in the State of California and attended the national conferences of the American Public Works Association in Atlanta and the American Institute of Architects in New York.
• National Study Tour 2004 to USA - 29 January 2005
  Jane, Richard
  Reports on the outcomes of the 2004 National Study Tour to the USA. The tour included attendance at the APWA Atlanta Congress and visits to a number of USA Councils.
• BEST PRACTICE, DIVERSITY & INNOVATION IN THE UK - 30 June 2004
  Bonker, John
  Reports on the outcomes of the 2003 National Study Tour to the UK. The tour included attendance at the SOLACE Conference in Edinburgh and visits to a number of UK Councils.
• BEST PRACTICE, INNOVATION & DIVERSITY IN THE UK - 23 June 2004
  McLeod, Stewart
  Reports on the outcomes of the 2003 National Study Tour to the UK. The tour included attendance at the SOLACE Conference in Edinburgh and visits to a number of UK Councils. Topics include UK best value, comprehensive performance assessment, privatised water supply, stormwater quality and wastewater issues, and asset management.
• Albert Mainerd Scholarship - Study Tour of Israel - 13 November 2002
  Daryl McGregor
  Daryl McGregor was the 2001 recipient of the Albert Mainerd Scholarship, a study scholarship awarded by the Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW. The Scholarship is awarded annually and rotated among the five professional staff organisations in Local Government. The 2001 Award was only available to members of the IPWEA. Mr McGregor's topic was Water Resource Management in Israel addressing the specific areas of water conservation, salinity management and algae control. This paper outlines details of the study tour, which was undertaken in March 2002 and summarises the findings relevant to water resource management in Australia.

Surveying

• Survey and Environmental Management Consultants - 26 May 2005
  Pocknee, David
  

Sustainable Communities

• Regional Construction and Maintenance Forum - 01 June 2005
  Smith, Jonathan
  
• About the Draft Regional Plan - 01 June 2005
  Larcombe, John
  
• Brisbane Long Term Infrastructure Plan - 01 June 2005
  Harris, Julie
  
• WHAT IS A SUSTAINABLE WATER UTILITY - 11 December 2003
  Uhlmann, Vikki
  As part of a research program to develop a sustainability management tool, an operational definition of a sustainable water utility and a core set of sustainability indicators was developed based on the triple bottom line and input from a sample of Queensland water utilities. The definition itself provides a broad performance benchmark as well as a foundation from which sustainability indicators can be developed to measure progress in improving sustainability. Findings to date from case study trials of the sustainability tool indicate it is capable of providing a tangible starting point from which to take action.
• THE CHALLENGES OF COASTAL DEVELOPMENT APPROVALS - 10 December 2003
  Long, Greg & Mason, Mike
  This paper will primarily outline the processes that this development proposal has completed to date in order to give an good insight into the growing challenges the development industry faces when considering large development proposals adjacent to the coastal fringe.
• THE IMPACT OF ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ESD) INITIATIVES ON TRADITIONAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENGINEERING - 22 August 1999
  Collins, Anthony; Guthrie, Alasdair; Rajca, Robert
  Hornsby Shire Council (HSC) has undertaken a large number of programs aimed at protecting the local natural environment and pursuing the concepts and principles of ecologically sustainable development (ESD). Whilst the original programs focused on issues such as water quality, pollution control, habitat protection and integrated environmental management, the initiatives of ESD have also significantly impacted on the traditional local government engineering programs of Council’s Works Division. Examples of local government engineering works which pursue ESD and works directly and indirectly affected by ESD from Hornsby Council’s perspective, are presented in this paper.

Traffic Management

• Providing Access in a Growth Region - 25 September 2004
  Wilson, Bruce
  As Brisbane grew it sprawled in all directions from its original centre. The undisciplined expansion of the suburbs swallowed farmland, trampled forests and strained transport links to the limit.

  Local and State authorities were confronted with the need to come up with effective solutions to a number of pressing infrastructure problems.

• Effective Integrated Traffic Management - 25 September 2004
  Hosmer, Peter
  This paper discusses:
  • Installation of new signals and maintenance of existing signals infrastructure
  • Installation of new CCTV cameras and maintenance of the existing system
  • Installation of new VMS and RAPID maintenance of the existing infrastructure
  • Installation and maintenance of the communication cabling and infrastructure.
  • Traffic Response Unit and Traffic Controller dispatch and coordination
  • Can AUS-SPEC go further? - 12 November 2002
    Robert Hanby
    Prior to the introduction of AUS-SPEC, Councils had adopted a variety of technical specifications for civil works, which would ultimately be accepted by Local Government as an asset. Both Council and the private sector identified the lack of clear standards for use by Local Government as a whole. An initiative by SWR TM P/L to provide a uniform standard was implemented during the early 1990’s in the form of DevSpec. The benefits of such a detailed document was quickly realised by most NSW Councils. The CCI challenged the notion of a national standard which resulted in a suite of specifications created as a joint initiative by SWR and IMEA. The suite of AUS-SPEC specifications available have now been through many updates, reviews and tested in the practical sense following implementation by various authorities. We must now ask two clear questions, does AUS-SPEC meet Councils expectations? And can AUS-SPEC go further? AUS-SPEC has provided a suite of documents that establishes a level playing field for its users, however is it being effectively implemented? Are Councils providing adequate resources for its implementation? Are assets being built to the standards specified? Are we using the controls suitable for Local Government works? There are several questions this paper shall seel to answer.
  • TRAVELLING BEYOND BOUNDARIES? CATCH A BUS! A RURAL PERSPECTIVE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT - 15 November 2001
    Royce Toohey
    
  • TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT IN ORANGE NSW AUSTRALIA - 11 September 2001
    Boyd, John
    This paper has been written for the purpose of putting into “hard copy” some of the aspects I propose to cover in my discussion on Traffic Calming at the APWA Congress in Pennsylvania USA. The intention of this paper is not to put forward any new “state of the art” traffic control devices but rather to discuss some of the pros and cons of devices that we have used in our City, from a practitioner’s point of view.

  Transport Management

  • Aerodrome Planning Longreach and Birdsville - 26 May 2005
    Logan, Gerry
    
  • Project TransApex - 01 October 2004
    Newman, Campbell - Lord Mayor of Brisbane
    By 2016 metro Brisbane will experience: 450,000 (27%) more people 40% increase in vehicle travel (km) 400% increase in congestion delay -$ 2.6B to $9.3B Brisbane $4600 per person/ per annum compared to Sydney & Melbourne at $2200 per person/ per annum
  • Travel Demand Management and TravelSmart - 25 September 2004
    James, Bruce
    There is a need for a mix of strategies to improve road transport efficiency and address the increasing traffic problems in south east Queensland over the next two decades.
  • Roads and Transport Infrastructure - Who Plays, Who Pays? - 19 October 2002
    Greg Hoffman
    
  • Balancing The Forces - 19 October 2002
    Peter Dutaillis
    
  • SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT PLANNING FOR NOOSA - 18 October 2002
    Colin Beard
    
  • Travelling Beyond Boundaries – Catch the Bus! The St George Regional Transport Strategy - 06 November 2001
    Richard Jarvis & Chris Little
    

  Urban Design

  • WHITSUNDAY SATINWOOD ALLIANCE - 11 December 2003
    Settle, Steve & Joghlin, Stephen
    Delivery of development projects economically and within constrained timelines poses a significant challenge for the Developer, Consultant, Contractor and Local Authority. If these issues are associated with difficult site conditions, the process is further complicated by complexity in the investigation, design and construction process. The Satinwood project includes these elements and has utilised the alliance procurement process to achieve development outcomes.
  • Parks & Gardens - Sustainable Management - 17 September 2002
    Brian Sheedy
    "Traditionally, the multi-discipline activities of local government have been undertaken as a conglomerate of individual units, with little consultation between departments, divisions ..."
  • Streetscape - 17 September 2002
    Len Scott
    
  • RE:ENGINEERING THE LANDSCAPE - 20 August 2001
    Corkery, Noel
    Landscape architects and engineers share a common field of endeavour through design in the public domain, both in the urban and rural environment. The professions are committed to improving the quality and sustainability of public spaces and infrastructure throughout our cities, rural and natural areas. The relationship between the two professions has produced notable outcomes but the opportunities to work in partnership have not yet been fully realised. By embracing an appreciation of aesthetic values in design through collaboration with landscape architects, engineers have the opportunity to play a more significant role in the creation of urban and rural environments that not only function effectively but achieve high aesthetic standards. This paper explores the influences that have lead to the current general lack of involvement of most engineers in the aesthetic aspects of projects in which they are involved and notes that this was not always the case. The paper also outlines opportunities for engineers and landscape architects to work together in the process of “re:engineering” the landscape.

  Waste Management

  • THE USE OF GEOSYNTHETICS IN THE DISPOSAL AND TREATMENT OF SOLID WASTE - 10 December 2003
    Eberle, Matthew & Farrell, Greg
    Geosynthetic materials have gained broad acceptance in the greater engineering community in Australia by providing alternative construction materials for infrastructure (eg road construction), geotechnical works (retaining structures and foundations), coastal works (sand/rock armour filtration and erosion protection) and water-wastewater projects (liquids containment, filtration). The properties of Geosynthetic materials that make them cost effective alternatives in these applications can also be put to good effect in landfill practices.
  • Regional Waste Management - 17 September 2002
    Jason Stratford
    "Whilst still an emerging trend in Australia, Regional Waste Management is likely to be embraced by many Local Governments in both city and country areas alike. This trend is being driven by tightening ..."

  Water & Wastewater

  • SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS IN WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND SLUDGE MANAGEMENT - 10 December 2003
    Gnanam, Frank
    Achieving superior wastewater treatment and sludge management is of value not only to municipalities and industry, but also to the community and other local stakeholders, including downstream users and/or receivers of treated water. Virotec Global Solutions Pty Ltd, an Australian environmental technology company, has developed unique technologies to treat (a) acidic, metal-contaminated wastewaters from tanneries and electroplating, (b) acid sulphate sediments in prawn farming, and (c) sewage. The technologies also provide technical and financial benefits in the treatment, handling and disposal of sludge.
  • MACKAY WATER RESOURCE PROJECT - 10 December 2003
    Devitt, Jason
    In March 1999, Mackay City Council, Canegrowers Mackay and DNR agreed to jointly fund a study into the feasibility of effluent reuse in the Mackay area. In December 2000 JWP were commissioned to undertake Planning Study for Bakers Creek and Bucasia Wastewater Treatment Plants. Connell Wagner completed a feasibility in October 2002 which reviewed the feasibility and sustainability of effluent re-use on sugarcane.
  • Living with Blue Green Algae in your water supply - 12 November 2002
    Dan O'Connor and Cary Reynolds
    Blue green algae have evoked a relatively emotive community response since the Barwon-Darling River bloom in 1991. As a means of safeguarding the community, particularly raw water consumers, the water industry has traditionally invoked relatively narrow and conservative guidelines on the notification levels for blue green algae in the drinking water supply.

    In line with the National Water Quality Management Strategy, guidelines were produced in 1992 (Australian Water Quality Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Waters) that linked cyanobacteria to quality guidelines for raw waters. The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (1996) had no guideline values set for drinking water but provided levels of concern for water storages.

    Tamworth City Council, like many other water Authorities, has a number of raw water customers supplied directly via a pipeline that links its storage dam to its water treatment plant, and which typically has suffered a number of management difficulties associated with previous guidelines.

    However in late 2001 ARMCANZ completed a review of the impacts of cyanobacteria (blue green algae) which considered drinking water, recreational, agricultural and fisheries components. Tamworth has adopted the revised guidelines in a new blue green algae policy that attempts to better manage the various issues relevant to raw water supply.

  • Accelerated construction of water supply pipeline: Clarence Valley & Coffs Harbour regional water supply project - 12 November 2002
    Gary Kennedy & Simon Thorn
    On 6th March 2002, as a result of the severe drought in northern NSW, North Coast Water decided to accelerate the delivery of 62.3 km of DN600 pipeline from its existing pipe network near Coutts Crossing to the Karangi dam. The nominated target completion date of end of October 2002 represented completion 24 months earlier than originally planned. The accelerated pipeline delivery has required an innovative procurement approach and implementation. Features of this approach have included detailed planning, a close cooperation between stakeholders and a comprehensive communications strategy. This paper outlines some of the challenges encountered and the methodologies adopted to achieve the acceleration without compromising the probity of the tendering process or the quality of the final product, and with only minimal risk of higher project cost. Several lessons have been learned during the acceleration process.
  • Stormwater Management measures to existing development to prevent pollution and attenuate runoff - 12 November 2002
    Joanne Scarsbrick
    Manly Council gained Commonwealth Urban Stormwater Initiative funding to use innovative management measures and technologies supported by a research program. This project aims to reduce, assess and evaluate stormwater pollution runoff concentrations and volumes from a sub catchment characterised by existing developments including typically ultra urban residential streets and beachside short term parking. A Treatment Train approach has been used to minimise stormwater impacts. This approach has provided interventions from the top of the sub catchment to the bottom of the catchment, principally utilising ‘At Source’ and ‘Source’ controls. These controls include: enhanced street sweeping, installation of in pit baskets, community and council targeted education programs, installation of pervious pavement and a water treatment system and re-use at North Steyne and retrofitting a bituminised street with pervious pavement.
  • The effectiveness of Sand Filtration and UV Irradiation for disinfection and other wastewater treatment benefits - 12 November 2002
    Daryl McGregor & Paul Kersey
    Albury Water operates a new, state of the art wastewater treatment facility (Waterview) which was opened and commissioned in April 1999. A feature of the plant is that effluent from the BNR process is "polished" through sand filters prior to disinfection by ultra violet irradiation. The sand filters were included in the design with the aim of removing not only residual solids, but any particulate phosphorus carried over from the clarifiers. A secondary benefit of the filter/U.V combination is enhanced disinfection, particularly for the removal of cysts (giardia and cryptosporidum). This paper presents the results of a 3 year study of the effectiveness of this process.
  • Shoalhaven Reclaimed Water Management Scheme (REMS) - 12 November 2002
    Bill Tomkinson
    REMS is one of the largest and most complex water-recycling schemes undertaken by an Australian water authority. It is being developed in two stages, at a total cost of $64.5m, to beneficially re-use up to 80% of reclaimed water from six Wastewater Treatment Plants (WwTPs). On completion REMS will serve an estimated population of 58,000.

    REMS first stage, costing $39M, was commissioned in January 2002, fully subscribed with 370 hectares under irrigation on the lower Shoalhaven River floodplain supplied from four WwTPs.

    When Nowra and Bomaderry WwTP’s join the Scheme in 2006 the irrigation area will increase to 750 hectares, mainly for irrigation on dairy farms, golf courses and recreation areas.

    The Scheme will significantly reduce discharges to the environment and drought proof dairy farms with the water resource.

  • THE MAROOCHYDORE STP UPGRADE – CAN INNOVATIVE PROJECT DELIVERY METHODS CONTRIBUTE TO SUSTAINABILITY - 22 October 2002
    Selwyn McFaul, Ron Walpole, John Purcell and Ken Hartley
    
  • THE GREAT ARTESIAN BASIN (GAB) – BEYOND LOCAL AND STATE BOUNDARIES - 23 November 2001
    Jeff Austin
    This is a text only version as the illustrations were unable to be loaded onto the Website.
  • Water in Israel - ABSTRACT ONLY - 15 November 2001
    Colin Earnshaw
    
  • Water & Wastewater - 30 October 2001
    Various
    The synopses for the papers that are to be presented in the Water & Wastewater Stream are now available to download
  • CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT – A TARGET DRIVEN APPROACH - 17 October 2001
    Daryl McGregor
    
  • THE WAUCHOPE “LEAKY” TRUNKMAIN - 17 October 2001
    Murray Thompson
    
  • PROTECTING ENVIRONMENTAL RIVER FLOWS WHILE CATERING FOR UBRAN WATER SUPPLY DEMAND - 17 October 2001
    Murray Thompson
    
  • BENEFICIAL RE-USE OF RECLAIMED WATER- ALBURY’S ELEGANT SOLUTION - 17 October 2001
    Daryl McGregor
    
  • FUNDING FUTURE DEVELOPMENT – A WATER SUPPLY ‘S.64’ CONTRIBUTION PLAN - 16 October 2001
    Anne-Maree Burke & Murray Thompson
    

  Water Management

  • Winton Bore Water Supply - 01 June 2005
    Kerr, Kevin
    
  • Developing Site-Specific Water Quality Objectives for Aquatic Systems - 01 June 2005
    Lee, Joanna
    
  • Queensland Water Directorate - 01 June 2005
    Girard, Mark
    
  • The Great Artesian Basin - 26 May 2005
    DNRM
    A hydrological basin made up of a vertical succession of sediments.
  • INTEGRATED URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT AND WATER RECYCLING IN SE QUEENSLAND - 10 December 2003
    Hamlyn-Harris, David
    There is much interest in urban reuse of recycled water in SE Queensland, particularly in areas where water supplies are affected by drought. While there are a number of significant proposals for reuse, real progress towards increasing the total volumes used tends to be hindered by a number of uncertainties and constraints, including uncertainties regarding water quality, the cost of supplying major agricultural areas and the inability of farmers to pay, the high costs for residential reuse, the lack of urban non-residential demand and community/stakeholder attitudes to be overcome.
  • INTEGRATED WATER MANAGEMENT – PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES - 10 December 2003
    Apostolidis, Nicholas
    This paper will present some recent case studies where a combination of new technologies, improved understanding of water use and commitment to integrated water management has resulted schemes with far greater self sufficiency, smaller ecological footprint and lower life cycle costs. The case studies cover small villages to major new urban developments serving over 150 000 people. The case studies challenge the conventional approach to urban water management planning and offer a model for use throughout the world.
  • Leaking away the $$$$ - 19 October 2002
    Allan Mayne and Tim Waldron
    
  • THE URBAN WATER SERVICES PROVIDERS INFRASTRUCTURE SURVEY - 19 October 2002
    Aneurin Hughes
    
  • MEETING REFERABLE DAM AND WATER MANAGEMENT - 18 October 2002
    Rob Ayre and Toby McGrath
    

  Water Treatment

  • HIGH QUALITY DRINKING WATER THROUGH ADVANCED - 18 October 2002
    Keith Craig, Ben Bower and Bernie Breiner
    
  • NEW FRONTIER - BIOLOGICAL IRON AND MANGANESE REMOVAL FROM DRINKING WATER - 22 August 1999
    Cameron, Ian & Bourgine, Francis
    Historically water treatment in Australia has followed the physical/chemical methods of the United Kingdom and the United States of America, whereas Europe has chosen to investigate and develop biological water treatment techniques. Biological water treatment techniques have found widespread application in removing the following compounds:- Iron, Manganese, Nitrates, Nitrites, Synthetic Organic Compounds (SOCs), Ammonia, Hydrogen Sulphide. Following early investigations by German researchers, it has been the French water companies over the last thirty years who have developed and optimised the biological iron and manganese removal process. Ian Cameron undertook a six week Churchill Fellowship Study Team of France, Germany and England in 1998 to investigate biological iron and manganese water treatment technologies. With the first biological water treatment plant in England in 1987 (Stoker pers comm) and the USA in 1996 (Mouchet 1995), Australia has the potential to be the New Frontier for this niche technology.

  Weirs

  • Fairmont Weirs - 26 May 2005
    Egan, Brian
    The Fairmount Weirs were designed originally as rock overflow weirs. That is the weirs are designed to allow the passage of flood over the weir crest.

  Works Officers

  • Contemporary Issues of Project Management for Works Officers - 17 September 2002
    Rex Glen-Cross
    "This paper examines current contemporary issues of project management as they relate to practising works supervisors, particularly in the public sector. It also explores possible future issues...."
  • The Role of the Works Officer - 17 September 2002
    Ken Halstead
    "In the absence of an experienced, skilled and competent Works Officer, the effective management of a Council is compromised. Work practices will suffer, efficiency drops and as a consequence ..."
  • TRENDS IN PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION PRACTICE FOR PUBLIC WORKS IN AUSTRALIA - 06 November 2001
    John Davis
    
  • Works Officers Stream - 30 October 2001
    Various
    The synopses for all of the papers that are to be presented in the Works Officers Stream (Wednesday 30th October 2001) are now available to download.
  • STORMWATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT DEVICES ISSUES FOR CONSIDERATION - 19 October 2001
    Geoffrey John Hunter
    
  • GEOSYNTHETIC REINFORCEMENT PRODUCTS – NOT ROCKET SCIENCE - 17 October 2001
    Martin Smith
    
  • LADY NELSON WHARF, PORT MACQUARIE - 17 October 2001
    Tony Nash
    
  • STREET LIGHTING – AN ADDED RESPONSIBILITY FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENGINEERS - 17 October 2001
    Gary Gaffney