Industry Updates

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.

Chris French is the new Regional General Manager – Victoria at GHD.

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.

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

Infrastructure Australia Deliverability Roadmap and Regional Strengths Reports

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Tonkin acquires Farr Engineers (continued)

Left to right

• Tom Oliver: Leader | Queensland Structural, Tonkin

• Olivia Oliver: Chief Operating Officer | Tonkin

• Andrew Farr: Director | Farr Engineers

• Jonas Hniopek: Senior Structural Drafter, Farr Engineers

• Truong Nguyen: Senior Engineer, Farr Engineers

SSI launch Reconciliation Action Plan with Stan Grant

Launch of ‘Innovate' RAP a key milestone in reconciliation journey

Settlement Services International (SSI) launched the organisation’s 'Innovate' Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), to celebrate SSI’s reconciliation journey with key members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, staff and supporters at the Ashfield Town Hall.

The SSI Group's 'Innovate' RAP, recently endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, is the organisation’s commitment to creating opportunities with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, under three key pillars: Relationships, Respect and Opportunities.

A traditional Smoking Ceremony welcomed guests to the event where ABC International Affairs Analyst and Wiradjuri and Kamilaori man Stan Grant provided the keynote address, speaking about reconciliation and its meaning to Aboriginal people.

To access and download the full Reconciliation Action Plan, please visit https://www.ssi.org.au/images/SSI_ Reconciliation_Action_Plan-compressed.pdf

Stan Grant, back centre, with key members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, SSI staff and supporters at the launch of SSI’s Reconciliation Action Plan.

Photo credit: Joseph Mayers Photography

WGA acquires process engineering consultancy Inception Group

Acquisition expands WGA’s offering in resources, positioning it as one of Australia’s leading multi-service engineering consultancies

Left to right: Peter James, James Davidson, Jon Weir, Jess Page, Conrad Wilkins

Multi-disciplinary engineering and project management company WGA (Wallbridge Gilbert Aztec) has announced the acquisition of resources specialist consultancy Inception Group. The process and data analytics engineering firm, founded in Adelaide, has operated globally for over a decade delivering consulting solutions primarily in mining and metals. This union will allow both companies to broaden its capabilities and service offering to existing and new clients.

Peter McBean, joint Managing Director at WGA comments, “This merger begins an exciting new chapter in the WGA story, allowing us to expand our client offering, increase market share and maximise efficiencies. With the integration of the Inception team, WGA will have a total workforce of 450 and access to new connections and experience to better support our strategic growth across Australia and New Zealand.”

Consult Australia pays respects to the memory of Peter Caune (Ashburner Francis)

It is with sadness that Consult Australia remember and pay tribute to Peter Caune, who passed away on 14th of January. Peter was Managing Director for over a decade at Ashburner Francis, having started his engineering career as a graduate with the company over 30 years ago. Peter was an active member of Consult Australia, participating in SME open forums and sharing his eagerness and passion for engineering.

We thank Peter for his leadership and contribution and we pass on our condolences to Peter’s family and colleagues.