Join us on Friday, 4th October for our Implementing Asset Management in Government Symposium. Read on for a sneak peek of just one of the topics that we will be exploring during the day.

The AMCouncil Melbourne Chapter welcomed a delegation from China as part of their visit to Melbourne on Thursday afternoon, 20^th September, who were interested in learning more about the Australian government and the Asset Management systems that are used within the three different levels of government.

We have much to learn from the Chinese with regard to Asset Management. Thank you to Nick Phillips for presenting on the Victorian AMAF framework. We hope our ISO TC251 delegates can continue this relationship when they visit China in May next year.

The AMCouncil dropped by Trade Victoria office recently to meet with representatives from BANOBRAS. This included Mr Esau Garza, Trade Commissioner; Mr Alejandro Blasco, Head of Investor Relations; and Mr Luis Ampudia, Vice President of Investor Relations from Mexico who walked through the Mexican Government's newly developed Infrastructure investment tool which is a good reference to explore potential usiness opportunities in Mexico.

Only a short two-minute walk from Asset Management Council’s office lays the Oakleigh Railway Station, the latest station to get the go-ahead from the Victorian government for an upgrade.

Asset management is everywhere, but it’s exciting to see it so close to home.

Fantastic news from NSW as Treasury publishes the NSW Government asset management policy, adopted by the NSW public sector on 31st October. 

The Asset Management Council, led by our director Toby Horstead, has been working closely with Infrastructure NSW and the NSW Government AM Community of Practice to prepare agencies for the release of the policy.

Rami Affan provided a great presentation on Asset Management System Benefits for Industry and Government in our Sydney Chapter's virtual technical meet last Thursday evening. An excellent summary of the Policy position and implementation requirements for NSW government agencies and a great update on where Infrastructure NSW is up to on their journey implementing consistent Asset Management Systems providing benefit for the citizens of NSW.

The pandemic caused by the coronavirus took the world by surprise. In Australia, the eastern seaboard had barely extinguished the flames of the devastating bushfires when coronavirus flew in and wreaked additional havoc on lives, businesses, education, infrastructure and society.

Government departments across Australia at the local, state or federal level are faced with the complexities of when to renew assets.

Most of the public infrastructure in our nation was built in the post-WWII boom: 1950s to 1970s. With many assets having a life-cycle of between 30 – 80 years, it’s no wonder that right now, across our major cities and rural areas, we’re seeing unprecedented construction, upgrading and renewal. But renewing assets is not as simple as the asset reaching its end-of-life or reducing its functionality. Other factors must be taken into consideration, such as:

Infrastructure Victoria’s Draft 30-Year Infrastructure Strategy is to be released on Wednesday 9^th December and will be available to access on that date from www.infrastructurevictoria.com.au  

An overview of the Draft Strategy will be provided by Infrastructure Victoria CEO Michel Masson, Deputy CEO Jonathan Spear and Manager. Strategy and Policy, Llewellyn Reynders on Wednesday 9^th December between 1pm to 2pm including a live Q&A.  All invited to register here: Registration (gotowebinar.com)

Bridges are more than a just a crossing over a body of water. Some of them are a work of art, a perfect juxtaposition of engineering and a creative flair.

But bridges can also be a perfect metaphor for resilience. Think of the tenacity behind crafting a striking design, or the underpinning strength required in pylons to support the overall structure. Think of the countless trips a bridge carries as people move from one community to another. Bridges help us to get over barriers in our journeys.

The impact of COVID-19 on our cities and infrastructure is long-lasting. The lessons learned from the ensuing economic downturn and widespread social isolation give ample pointers to both governments and industry in the ways we can build better communities. But first, to create stronger assets and build better communities, we need to be conversant with resilience. What exactly is resilience? The Oxford Dictionary defines the noun as ‘the ability to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness¹.'

You wake up one morning, stumble out of bed in search of your usual cuppa to start the day. You flick on the kettle; there is no electricity. You mutter under your breath, decide to take a shower and deal with the electricity later. A trickle of water is all that flows from the low-pressure rose in your shower recess. You’re annoyed now. You decide to head to a nearby café for coffee and a danish, and maybe local supermarket for milk, fresh bread. The café is also experiencing a power outage, the supermarket in darkness too, as well as having had no early morning deliveries to re-stock shelves. You scratch your head and wonder if you’re starring in a dystopian drama series.

Following the bushfires over the Australian summer of 2019/2020, the CSIRO was commissioned by the Prime Minister with the task of sourcing practical options to support and improve Australia’s climate and disaster resilience. The report was published in July 2020. Six key themes and twenty-five recommendations were outlined.

The Victorian government announced a large injection of maintenance funding for every Victorian government school. 

Mr James Merlino, the Minister for Education, made the annoucement on Monday 2^nd September, stating that each government school will receive a share of $515 million. The boost of funding will ensure the existing 36,000 school buildings¹are upgraded to provide school children a safe and modern learning environment. 

Cyber attacks are a constant problem in today’s society. A hacker’s gonna hack, to bastardise a line from Taylor Swift’s popular song, Shake it Off.

At the Technology in Government conference, held in early August in Canberra, attendees learned more about cyber security in government. In particular, David Cullen, Principal Advisor of Cyber Incidents and Emergency Management at Department of Premier and Cabinet, Victoria, spoke of the alarming number of incidents in Victoria alone.

In last week's Women in Asset Management webinar discussion Tim Reardon, Secretary of the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet explored what asset management means to NSW Government, how it adds value for the community, how we can harness new technologies and innovation to deliver value and why people, especially women, should be excited to work in asset management in the public sector.

Join us on Friday, 4th October for our Implementing Asset Management in Government Symposium. Read on for a sneak peek of just one of the topics that we will be exploring during the day.

Many readers will remember the devastation caused by bushfires during Australia’s last summer. Our hearts broke at the loss of life, the destruction of our flora and fauna, and the ravaged townships. In response to this most recent disaster, as well as the floods at the same time in Northern Queensland, the Prime Minister directed the CSIRO to undertake an independent report into the ways in which governments and the community can work together to increase disaster and climate resilience.

The 2019 Australian Infrastructure Audit was announced on Tuesday 13^th August by Infrastructure Australia, the nation’s independent infrastructure advisor. The audit promises a forward-view of Australia’s challenges to protecting and advancing our infrastructure.

Infrastructure Australia has released a report detailing the impacts of COVID-19 and projected recovery for the nation.

The report highlights the way Australians used infrastructure during lockdown and demonstrates trends and provides insights into asset management requirements of infrastructure.