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CICA President’s Report
REFLECTING ON A YEAR OF CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Continued lockdowns, delays in supply chains and escalating shipping costs have continued to challenge the industry throughout the year, but there have also been some unforeseen positives.
WELCOME TO THE FINAL ISSUE OF 2021,
I think I speak for all when I say that this was one year which delivered some big opportunities but equally some very large and unusual challenges across the whole industry. Suffice to say, I’m looking forward to 2022, not because I can assert with any confidence that it will be any better, more so I have just had enough of 2021! Particularly from operating a business in the city of Melbourne; officially the worlds longest city in lockdown, apparently having knocked off Buenos Aires for the prize.
Regardless of your home state, each precinct has confronted challenges. Those in the eastern lockdown states worked through heavily restricted trading laws and at times were confronted with COVID cases internally which temporarily closed parts of their business. And for those in states with very strict border restrictions, you have faced escalating work opportunities without the flexibility of resourcing labour from the larger populated eastern states to deliver these work commitments.
Additionally, our members supplying us with parts and products from overseas have confronted ongoing supply issues and escalating shipping costs and delays which have been unprecedented in our current generation.
There are still significant government incentive packages at play which are supporting capital acquisitions through the instant asset write off initiative. It may also be a good opportunity to sell some of your used equipment as values are strong at present with tax incentives applying to those purchasing your used machinery.
So given the additional workloads which have challenged us through this COVID trading journey, I would like to acknowledge all of you who take the time to contribute to your industry. A huge thanks goes to our volunteers, members, and supporters, who have been unfailing in their tireless support to get us through. Taking on the challenging task of managing branch and committee meetings in an uncertain landscape, often needing to adapt at the last minute, but unwavering in your commitment to deliver better outcomes for us all.
Particular recognition goes to the CICA Board and State Branch office bearers who have led and met to support CICA whilst juggling challenges within their own businesses. A special thanks also to all of you who made the State based industry days a reality. Showcasing our industry to external stakeholders was something new for our industry and your efforts have ensured it was done well.
There are still a couple of Industry Days that will be carried over to next year and I am sure this type of engagement and relationship building exercise is something we will continue to adapt in the future.
The articles in this issue, once again make for an interesting read. Alice Edwards’ Tech Corner this issue is on multiple crane lifts, with a focus on the need for proper planning prior to the lift due to complexity of these lifting operations.
You may remember in 2020, the 12-month Hazard 2020 campaign, targeted mobile plant and scaffolding safety on the building sites of over 500 companies accredited under the Australian Government Work Health Safety Accreditation Scheme. The Federal Safety Commissioner provided an update in October; David Denney noting that there had been improvements in mobile plant safety generally, however, “36 per cent of companies failed to have or implement safe systems of work for the use of mobile cranes taking into account ground conditions, the development of lift plans where required and the lifting of materials and workers.”
Safety is one of those things we can never become blasé about and CICA has an ongoing mission to ensure that safety is kept at the forefront of our thinking. If there is a topic that you would like clarification on, or would like to see a Tech Corner or CICA safety
CICA president Tom Smith.
bulletin written on, please reach out to Alice or Michelle at CICA. 2022 is on track to see CICA’s profile develop even further, with the Lift Supervisor course just one of the new initiatives set to commence. CICA’s Articulated Mobile Crane Driver Education Course has received key funding through the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative, supported by the Federal Government. This funding will enable us to develop the Articulated Mobile Crane Driver Education Course and improve heavy vehicle safety for drivers.
And don’t forget in 2022, we will see the return of the CICA National Conference. As you know, COVID has disrupted the Conference for the last two years, but all things being equal, 2022 should be a great Conference in Adelaide.
As I’m sure you agree, the Conference has been an event to look forward to; an opportunity to catch up with mates, check out some new gear, and fill up your sock drawer from the Finlease stand. In all seriousness though, this event has been deeply missed and I can guarantee, when we do meet again next year, we will leave the previous years behind us and make up for lost time.
The January / February edition of Cranes and Lifting magazine will be the ‘Crane Showcase’ issue, so I encourage you to engage with Simon and Emily when they reach out. The Showcase issue is an opportunity to demonstrate your plant capabilities and is referred to as a guide by those who use crane services.
Finally, I want to take this opportunity on behalf of the CICA family and my own family, to wish you and yours a very Happy Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.
Tom Smith
CICA president managing director – McKay United 0439 130 567
CICA BOARD
Tom Smith – Director Ben Pieyre – Director Danny Adair – Director Danny Black – Director Andrew Esquilant – Director Marcus Ferrari – Director David Solomon – Director Bart Sutherland – Director
CICA OFFICE
Brandon Hitch
Chief Executive Officer 03 8320 0444 0428 228 048 ceo@cica.com.au
Paul Arztenhofer
Membership Engagement/Business Development Specialist 0490 939 274 paul@cica.com.au
Alice Edwards
Patrick Cran
CraneSafe and CrewSafe Technical Advisor 0488 004 274 pat@cranesafe.com.au
Damien Hense
CICA Road Policy Advisor 03 8320 0460 0488 007 575 damien@cica.com.au
Jed Kenwright
Julie Turner
CICA Executive Assistant / Office Manager/Vic Secretariat Direct: 03 8320 0411 Email: julie@cica.com.au
Ashleigh Gould
CraneSafe and CrewSafe Administration Officer NSW/ACT QLD & NT Branch Sectretariat Direct: 03 8320 0466 0403 717 626 Email: ashleigh@cranesafe.com.au
Michelle Verkerk
Unit 10, 18-22 Lexia Place, Mulgrave Vic 3170 Phone: 03 9501 0078 Fax: 03 9501 0083 Email: admin@cica.com.au Website: www.cica.com.au
