NEWS
Engineer feedback sought for registration scheme ENGINEERS ARE BEING CALLED upon to give feedback on the Victorian Professional Engineers Registration Scheme to help its implementation. The scheme will commence on 1 July, 2021 and aims to ensure services are provided by professional engineers who have a minimum level of qualification, experience and professional development. The Victorian Government is seeking feedback on a code of conduct that sets out a range of obligations for registered professional engineers to act fairly, honestly, and in the best interests of their clients. In addition, feedback is being sought
on proposed regulations that set the schedule for phasing in registration to the five prescribed areas of engineering, guidance materials for the Act, including the definition of a ‘professional engineering service’, and options for setting fees for the registration and endorsement of professional engineers. The materials have been developed in consultation with engineers and peak engineering organisations. A second round of public consultation will be held later this year and will focus more on the proposed registration fees. Victorian Consumer Affairs Minister Melissa Horne encourages engineers and
those with an interest in the profession to have their say when consultation begins on 26 August. “The new registration scheme for engineers will enable clients to engage and use engineering services with greater confidence and will increase accountability within the profession,” Horne says. “I invite all Victorians with an interest in the engineering profession to provide feedback on the proposed materials.” Consultation on the materials will be available from 26 August to 7 October 2020. For more information, visit engage. vic.gov.au/engineers-registration.
Fenner Dunlop to expand Kwinana facility with $23.5M upgrade FENNER DUNLOP HAS PARTNERED with Siempelkamp for a $23.5 million plant expansion at its manufacturing facility in Kwinana, Western Australia. In 2013 an additional $20 million was invested to install a second press line at the company’s manufacturing facility to double the plant’s production capacity and increase the Kwinana workforce by 30 per cent. The third press line will increase the plant’s capacity by a further 50 per cent, and additional investment will support the efficient manufacture of fabric and steel cord conveyor belts for Western Australian customers. Fenner Dunlop Chief Operating Officer Steve Abbott says while other companies are contracting and moving their manufacturing operations offshore, Fenner Dunlop continues to support the local economy and is proud to be the largest conveyor belt supplier in Australia and the only company to manufacture the complete range of conveyor belts for all mining applications locally.
The upgrade will increase the plant’s capacity by a further 50 per cent.
“Kwinana is close to its main customers, allowing us to provide a quality product with reduced lead times while keeping the investment in WA. Our customers have the convenience of dealing with a global business, supported by a state-of-the-art conveyor belt manufacturing facility in their backyard and the assurance of technical support that understands the local operational environment,” he says. “The plant expansion is part of our longer-term strategy, following the plant
opening in 2009 and the initial expansion in 2013. While the expansion is a reflection of our success, it allows us to maintain our responsiveness in quoting, production and delivery to meet the constantly changing requirements of our customers.” The manufacturing plant also incorporates a testing and R&D laboratory to ensure that all work is done to the highest quality and safety standards. Site work is scheduled to start in March 2021 with the commissioning in December 2021.
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