The Victorian Division of the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia (IPWEA) has reformed.
According to IPWEA president, Maurice Stabb, the re-establishment of the division heralds a new era for addressing engineering skills shortages in local government and, more broadly, in the public works sector in Victoria.
Prior to the Kennett Government’s amalgamation of councils in the mid-90s, IPWEA was the leading engineering professional group in local government, Mr Stabb says.
However, he says with the diminution of engineers immediately following amalgamation, IPWEA joined two other groups to form Local Government Professionals.
“With the consolidation of council structures and faced with the challenge of addressing the serious engineering skills shortage in councils and public works, it was time for the IPWEA Vic Division to re-establish itself as a separate entity,” he says.
IPWEA are now moving to reform active regional groups across Victoria and to ensure that public works and particularly, local government engineering interests are adequately represented.
“Clearly, the people of Victoria will benefit from these initiatives as the enhancement of engineering skills in councils and public works agencies will in turn drive identifiable improvements in the delivery of capital works and management of major public infrastructure assets,” Mr Stab says.
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