CICA PRESIDENT’S REPORT
CONFIDENCE IS RETURNING
CICA president Tom Smith
WE ARE NOW WELL IN TO 2022 and there’s been plenty of change with the pandemic and the altering of people movements and restrictions. We’re now seeing tourists back in Australia, other countries are welcoming travel with reduced quarantine restrictions, travel and flight options are suddenly becoming available, and supply chain issues, although still prevalent, are beginning to show signs of stabilising. But on the ground, where the workers are working, where the businesses are operating, and where the kids are going to school or daycare, the situation is still challenging. Where, last year, having a positive Covid case in your business was virtually headline news and met with the same reaction as a case of leprosy; now, we are regularly experiencing Covid cases in the workforce, particularly through January following break-up parties, family Christmas functions, and New Year celebrations. And it’s been met with a feeling of getting on with it. That is, get the virus, do your quarantine, and get back into it. It’s quite an extreme change from six months ago. This pandemic has expressed firsthand the resilience and depth our industry has. The very many infrastructure projects in the pipeline across many industry sectors including civil construction and renewable energy has instilled a foundation of confidence to proceed with investment plans and equipment expansion. Despite our natural feelings of uncertainty, the Australian economy is strong, and our clients are finding a way to rebound in their 14 / CAL March/April 2022
Despite the continued uncertainties around the pandemic, the numerous infrastructure projects in the pipeline, across many industry sectors including civil construction and renewable energy, has instilled a newfound confidence in the crane sector. There are higher levels of confidence that the investment in these big ticket projects will proceed, providing a major flow-on effect for our industry. own industry sectors, re-establishing a sense of normality in many traditional general hire markets. So, in a nutshell, two-years in, besides the odd curve ball, we’re all becoming seasoned pandemic warriors. Our eyes are very firmly placed on other peripheral issues, which may give us a different group of challenges as the year ahead unfolds. We have a federal election in a few months, we have ongoing fluctuations in skills availability and workforce shortages, we have seen bolstered activity in the union movement to make gain while the labour market is tight, government-funded projects are strong, and our connectivity and continuity between sea, rail, and road freight has ongoing limitations and flaws. These types of issues, among others, will be the real determinants of how successful this year is for us, as opposed to how many new Covid variants come in, or how many Covid boosters we need this year; and how many days in quarantine we must do. The many businesses I have spoken to have a very clear plan as to what adjustments they are making to their business this year and how they will use any forthcoming disruptions to reshape their long-term strategies and to reset their operations moving forward. THANK YOU STEPHEN HOLMES. Stephen Holmes, CICA S.A. Secretary for five years, retired at the end of 2021. Before that, Stephen was an active
member of CICA and the familiar voice of CICA’s training CDs/DVDs. Stephen was instrumental in helping define a new era of working with CICA National, and I would like to thank him both personally and on behalf of the organisation for his hard work, his organisational skills, and the support he provided to the team in S.A. Steve, you’re a top bloke and I hope we’ll see you at the odd branch meeting or conference. We wish you all the best, and many happy days riding and working on motor bikes. CICA NATIONAL CONFERENCE The CICA National Conference will be held in Adelaide this year if all things go to plan. If you haven’t already done so, mark 10–12 November 2022 in your diaries for what will no doubt be a welcome get together. The Conference is a little later this year to give BAUMA attendees and our international guests the opportunity to attend. So please take the time to come to this one, this event will be pivotal in re-establishing connectivity with your national network in the traditional face- to-face way. QUEENSLAND ROAD ACCESS As you are aware, the crane industry in Queensland has been experiencing extremely challenging operating conditions. This crisis is directly attributable to the TMR permit process in Queensland and its impact on road access and costs. To build a case for reform, Jed www.cranesandlifting.com.au
