Industry updates
Industry updates IA has also published their Regional Strengths and Infrastructure Gaps report, providing government, industry, businesses and the community with an evidence base to support regional growth, off the back of the COVID-19 pandemic and recent extreme events.
APPOINTMENTS
Lindsey Brown has been appointed to the position of Australian Market Leader – Water at GHD. This appointment will see Lindsey play a leading role in assisting clients in the water sector to identify and leverage opportunities to leave sustainable legacies for people and communities. Lindsey has more than 15 years’ experience, across three continents, in environmental sustainability, corporate social responsibility and public policy development in the water industry. She has led the development of multiple strategic policy and planning documents for Melbourne, Sydney and Perth that have underpinned lasting economic and cultural legacies for people and communities.
Senior appointment Soumendra Paul, Victorian Transport Leader Cardno, now Stantec. Charged with leading the transport business in Victoria, Soumendra is an accomplished senior engineering executive and is set to bolster Cardno, now Stantec’s delivery in state and local government infrastructure projects. Specialising in civil and structural engineering, Soumendra’s appointment will drive Cardno, now Stantec’s recent transport infrastructure wins and strong project pipeline.
INDUSTRY NEWS
Chris has worked on a wide range of water, sanitation and hydropower projects in Australia, USA, China, Laos and Vietnam, including the Victorian Desalination Plant. He also has a strong passion for giving back to industry and the community. He is an active member of the Australian Water Association and continues to be the national lead for GHD’s partnership with leading humanitarian agency RedR Australia. Chris is also a strong advocate and role model for Inclusion and Diversity.
4 Consulting Matters
These region-specific analyses provide a lens to highlight and understand opportunities and prioritise investment. The Regional Strengths report also looks for commonalities to promote collaboration and knowledge sharing to enable proactive planning led by local communities. The report is a starting point for discussion between all stakeholders to inform further planning, policy and investment solutions. Infrastructure Australia is actively encouraging feedback from the community, with submissions open until 29 April 2022. Tonkin acquires Farr Engineers to strengthen presence in South East Queensland
Infrastructure Australia Deliverability Roadmap and Regional Strengths Reports
Chris French is the new Regional General Manager – Victoria at GHD.
In developing this report, IA partnered with 48 Regional Development Australia committees to conduct extensive consultation on community views. This was supported by engagement with key regional stakeholders, including businesses, peak bodies and industry groups, to help create a picture of each area’s diverse assets, incumbent growth industries and infrastructure requirements.
Infrastructure Australia (IA) has published a roadmap to a more productive and resilient future focused on delivering better outcomes for the community and for business through a more productive, innovative and sustainable infrastructure sector. Consult Australia features in the report and is quoted regarding the need for more collaborative standard form contracts, “Government clients negotiate one on one with private sector suppliers for every contract, often using bespoke contracts or modified ‘standard’ contracts that often repeat the same problematic terms”. We have also been called out for our leadership in championing the reform agenda. Infrastructure Australia has developed this report to support policy makers, infrastructure owners, delivery agencies and the broader industry to improve productivity and to provide clear priorities for innovation, and the models to embrace it. The period for comment on this report is six weeks. Comments are requested by 29 April 2022
Gerry Doyle, CEO of Tonkin has announced that as part of its growth strategy in South East Queensland the company has signed an agreement to acquire Farr Engineers. Based in Brisbane, Farr Engineers has provided civil and structural engineering services for projects in northern NSW and across Queensland for more than 20 years. The acquisition will double the size of Tonkin’s workforce in South East Queensland and will strengthen the structural and civil expertise and offerings that can be provided to existing and future clients of both companies. The acquisition represents yet another significant step in the growth of Tonkin and will build on the success and growth that has been experienced since Tonkin commenced operating in the structural engineering space in the eastern states through the acquisition of TLB engineers in Sydney in 2018.
