Council September

Greener, smarter councils From

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Editor’s welcome

Welcome to the Spring edition of Council, where we spotlight the people, projects and technologies shaping the future of local government.

Chairman John Murphy

CEO

Christine Clancy

Publisher

Sarah Baker

Editor

Tim Hall

Assistant Editor Kody Cook

Design

Danielle Harris

Head of Design Blake Storey

Business Development Manager

Brett Thompson

Client Success Manager

Louisa Stocks

Head O ce

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As always, this issue captures the sector’s deep commitment to place and progress. From the City of Melbourne’s new CEO Alison Leighton to Fraser Coast Regional Council’s work on the ground, we see leadership rooted in community. ALGA’s latest call for climate funding reinforces just how vital councils are on the front lines.

We also dive into the events and innovations transforming how councils connect, build and plan. From digital communication summits to the No-Dig Down Under conference, experts are ready to show attendees how to work smarter, not just harder. We can also see that whether it’s road upgrades, repairs, or AI integration, councils are embracing clever, costeffective change.

Technology is having a moment, and for good reason. This issue highlights not just the tools, but the outcomes they enable. Safer road networks, better fleet oversight, and sharper community engagement are all on offer. In more and more regions, even road maintenance is taking on a digital edge, while new high-tech control rooms are putting local data to better use.

Our Equipment section puts practical innovation in the driver’s seat. Whether it’s future-ready street sweepers, smarter pumps, or sustainable mowing strategies, the message is clear: small changes in operations can deliver big returns across safety, sustainability and service quality.

Continuing this line, our Sustainability section turns an eye to long-term impact. From food organics to electric vehicles, we explore how councils are not just adapting to change but actively leading it. There’s plenty more to discover in these pages, and as always, we welcome your feedback, tips or ideas for future issues.

Tim Hall Editor, Council magazine

If you have a story idea, tip or feedback regarding Council, I’d love to hear it. Drop me a line at tim.hall@primecreative.com.au and don’t forget to follow us on social media – find us on LinkedIn, X or Facebook.

Council acknowledges Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and pays respect to their cultures and Elders past and present.

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Held in Melbourne and online, this national event brings together communication leaders from local, state and federal government to share real-world campaigns, tools, and frameworks to level up your digital presence. With two targeted streams, Compelling Content and Reputation & Process, this year’s program is more practical, tactical, and future-focused than ever.

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Council CEO Profile: City of Melbourne’s Alison Leighton

Across Australia, local government CEOs shape the communities we call home. From metropolitan councils to remote shires, these leaders are at the forefront of delivering essential services, driving innovation, and responding to the unique challenges facing their regions. In this new Council magazine segment, we’re shining a spotlight on the individuals steering our councils – exploring their career journeys, leadership philosophies, and the vision they bring to their communities. For our first profile, we spoke with Alison Leighton, CEO of the City of Melbourne.

A DIVERSE PATH THROUGH LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Leighton’s career began with an undergraduate engineering degree, followed by her first job at VicRoads through their graduate engineering program.

“I really found an affinity with the public sector. I enjoyed knowing that the work I was doing was making a difference to the community and to the places that I lived and visited,” Leighton said.

Her next step took her back to her roots at the Mornington Peninsula Shire, where she grew up.

“I joined as an infrastructure planning engineer and went on to do a diverse range of roles. I think that’s what is so appealing about local government, you have the opportunity to learn about the many different services we offer community, and you can have a diverse career,” she said

Leighton’s roles at Mornington Peninsula Shire spanned corporate strategy, sustainability, engineering, and eventually, leadership.

“I think I may have been the first female director of infrastructure at the Mornington Peninsula Shire, and ultimately took up the role of Chief Operating Officer,” she said.

Her leap to the CEO role came sooner than expected.

“The first role that I considered was the CEO of Baw Baw Shire. I remember thinking, I’ll throw my hat in the ring – it will be good practice for what I was imagining would be many interviews at the CEO level before I was successful. But to my surprise, I got the job!”

After nearly three years as CEO in a regional setting, Leighton was encouraged to apply for a general manager role at the City of Melbourne. She joined just as COVID-19 hit,

which she describes as a “challenging and unpredictable time to join an organisation like the City of Melbourne.”

Despite the circumstances, she focused on connecting with her team.

“As a people-first leader, my priority was to get to know the people who I was working with, and I found that, while a little more difficult, I could still do that online,” Leighton said.

Within months, she was promoted to Deputy CEO, then acting CEO, and finally, in July 2023, became the CEO of the City of Melbourne.

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES: WORK, LIFE, AND LEADERSHIP

Leighton’s journey was not without obstacles.

“I have been a single mother throughout my career and while my son is now an adult, I understand what it’s like to juggle parental responsibilities with full time work. I also added to the juggle by studying a Master’s of Business Administration,” she said.

She credits her support network for helping her manage these demands.

“Working with good people and having strong networks around me; friends, family, mentors and coaches made a big difference to helping me manage and balance my time,” Leighton said.

“Being a woman in engineering – a traditionally male-dominated field – had its moments in terms of trying to work out how to best operate. But I have to say, I have had some great champions

City of Melbourne CEO, Alison Leighton. Image: City of Melbourne.

Melbourne is a city with plans for continued growth. Image: Sandeep/stock.adobe.com

throughout my career – both male and female – who really provided me with opportunities to take on new challenges and push me outside of my comfort zone,” Leighton said.

CULTURE, COLLECTIVE INTELLIGENCE, AND KINDNESS

Leighton’s leadership philosophy centres on culture and people.

“Culture is so critical to having an organisation that is effective and high performing, but also one that looks after its people and ensures that we can create conditions where our people can thrive. Our people really are our most important asset,” she said.

Leighton believes in empowering subject matter experts and fostering collective intelligence.

“You can never be the expert on everything. In my view, the role of the CEO is to create alignment, build collective intelligence and support experts to excel together,” she said.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND VISION FOR MELBOURNE

Leighton explained that among her proudest achievements are the cultural transformations she has led, resulting in “significant improvements in talent, attraction and retention, performance, service delivery to community, customer service, as well as the use of digital tools and techniques to enhance productivity.”

Leighton is particularly proud of the Melbourne 2050 vision.

“Recently we held a Melbourne 2050 summit at the town hall, and had 700 people from across Melbourne join us and share their views and aspirations around the kind of city they want Melbourne to be in 2050,” she said.

CHAMPIONING DIVERSITY AND EQUITY

Leighton is a strong advocate for diversity and gender equity.

“Gender equality and gender equity have both improved over the years, but there’s still a gender pay gap in many councils. We’re working on understanding the reasons and drivers for ours at City of Melbourne, and how we can continue to improve,” she said.

“It’s not just about gender diversity though; it’s about cultural diversity. It’s about diversity of thought and background and experience and perspective. Because diversity is a strength. Research shows the more diverse executive teams, boards and councils are, the better they service their communities, the stronger they perform, and the more informed their decisions are.”

FACING THE FUTURE

Looking ahead, Leighton sees population growth and affordable housing as Melbourne’s biggest challenges.

“Melbourne is currently Australia’s fastest growing city, and soon we will be Australia’s largest city. We’re expecting a population of 9 million by 2050. With that additional population comes challenges, like affordable housing, adequate open space, sufficient recreation and community facilities,” she said.

Despite the nationwide housing development challenges, Leighton is committed to ensuring that Melbourne’s growth is managed wisely.

“Affordable housing, improving our housing stock and population growth are key issues for Melbourne, and we’re aiming to solve these issues through proactive planning policy and infrastructure delivery,” Leighton said.

“We’re also partnering with other levels of government so that we can ensure Melbourne continues to be a liveable, vibrant, prosperous city.”

A PEOPLE-FIRST CEO

At the core of Alison Leighton’s leadership is a commitment to people.

“The best way to excel and achieve high performance is through taking a people first, culture first approach, and really providing the opportunity for our team to thrive. It’s a critically important part of my approach and the type of CEO that I aspire to be,” she said.

Leighton’s vision and leadership perfectly places her to guide Melbourne into a thriving, inclusive future.

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Fraser Coast

In every edition of Council, we shine a spotloght on one local government from across Australia. Whether it’s new infrastructure, an innovative technology project, a leading sustainability initiative or a community connection, we want to highlight the best of our local governments and share some valuable knowledge to other place makers across our nation. This edition, we spoke to the Fraser Coast Regional Council.

1. WHAT IS THE POPULATION SIZE AND LAND AREA OF YOUR

As of June 2024, the Fraser Coast had a population of 118,505, making it the 12th largest local government area

The Fraser Coast Regional Council spans approximately 7117 square kilometres, encompassing a stunning variety of landscapes – from national parks and state forests to picturesque beaches, iconic whale encounters, and the world-renowned K’gari

Mayor Seymour worked as a solicitor, a disability support worker and ran the region’s youth homeless shelter prior to his council election. He works closely with communities across the Fraser Coast to improve the health and liveability of the region.

Mayor Seymour’s goal is to ensure the Fraser Coast is a vibrant, healthy and active community.

4. WHO IS THE CEO?

Ken Diehm is the CEO of Fraser Coast Regional Council and has been since June 2017.

Ken’s personal and career goal is to make a positive difference in the community he serves and in the lives of the people he works with.

5. WHAT IS THE COUNCIL’S ANNUAL BUDGET?

Council’s total budget in 2025/26 is $527 million.

6. CAN YOU GIVE US A BREAKDOWN OF SPENDING FOR THE BUDGET YEAR AHEAD?

Key highlights of Council’s 2025/26 budget include:

2.HOW MANY EMPLOYEES WORK AT YOUR COUNCIL?

As of March 31 this year, Council had 1126 employees.

3. WHO IS THE MAYOR?

Fraser Coast’s Mayor is George Seymour, who has been Mayor since May 2018, after serving as the Division 10 Councillor from 2012.

He brings over 39 years of experience in local government leadership to the role. Throughout his extensive career, Diehm has developed a strong reputation for driving organisational performance, fostering community outcomes, and leading with integrity and purpose.

In 2024, Diehm’s leadership was recognised by the Local Government Managers Association who awarded him the Manager of the Year Award.

• $180 million - water, waste and sewerage

• $128 million - roads, bridges, footpaths, coastal protection and drainage

• $89 million - economic development, tourism and major projects

• $40 million - parks, pools, playgrounds and cemeteries

• $15 million - arts and cultural facilities

Hervey Bay, Scarness Jetty. Images: Fraser Coast City Council.

7. WHAT IS YOUR COUNCIL’S VISION FOR THE COMMUNITY AND ITS FUTURE?

Fraser Coast Regional Council is committed to strategic growth and liveability, ensuring the Fraser Coast remains a region where older residents can age comfortably, and younger generations see a bright future to live, work and raise families.

Through forward-thinking infrastructure planning, Council aims to provide essential services and facilities in a timely manner to meet the demands of a growing region.

Sustainability remains a key focus, with efforts to responsibly manage both built and natural environments to enhance resilience and liveability for current and future generations.

8. WHAT MAKES YOUR COUNCIL AREA SPECIAL?

The Fraser Coast is a region like no other – home to the world’s first Whale Heritage Site, the gateway to World Heritage-listed K’gari, and rich with history, nature and culture.

In the year to September 2024, the Fraser Coast welcomed 1.73 million visitors drawn to the region’s natural wonders, world-class diving, hidden beaches, and its reputation as Australia’s premier destination for up-close humpback whale encounters.

9. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES THE REGION FACES, AND HOW DOES COUNCIL OVERCOME THESE?

The Fraser Coast is the fastest growing region in the Wide Bay Burnett, with more than 1800 new residents each year since 2016.

Alongside this growth, Council faces significant social and economic challenges:

• Over a third of the population is over 60, and most rely on welfare

• 44 per cent live with a long-term health condition, and over 10 per cent need daily assistance due to disability

• Median household income is about $500 below the state average

• Fraser Coast faces higher unemployment, lower education levels and rising homelessness

This combination of growth and disadvantage strains the community’s ability to fund the services and infrastructure it needs.

To help Council overcome these challenges it strongly supports restoring Financial Assistance Grants to at least

one per cent of federal taxation revenue to ensure Councils like Fraser Coast remain financially sustainable.

Council strongly values the Queensland Government’s funding programs and supports their continuation and expansion to meet growing regional needs. Ongoing subsidies – such as a dedicated water and sewerage program – are also essential to help councils maintain and upgrade ageing infrastructure.

10. HOW IS YOUR COUNCIL ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE AND REACHING SUSTAINABILITY GOALS

Fraser Coast Regional Council is taking strong action on climate change, with a big focus on waste management.

The council is working towards a circular economy by encouraging composting at home, increasing the number of public recycling bins, and running campaigns to help people recycle correctly.

Earlier this year, Council opened a $31 million state-of-the-art recycling facility in Maryborough to boost recycling rates, cut landfill, and turn waste into useful products like park benches and kitty litter.

On K’gari (Fraser Island), Council is protecting the island’s unique environment with strict waste rules, promoting biodegradable products, and improving waste services for locals and visitors.

Fraser Coast Libraries offer programs like the Seed Library and Plant to Plate, helping residents grow their own food and boost biodiversity through free seeds, workshops, and resources.

Council is developing sustainability, climate, and natural environment policies to guide future strategies. Current initiatives include updating flood mapping with climate scenarios, implementing the Coastal Futures Strategy to manage coastal hazards, and working toward Reef Guardian Council status to help protect the Great Barrier Reef.

These initiatives help build community, promote sustainability, and make it easier to enjoy fresh, homegrown produce.

11. WHAT IS AN EXCITING COMMUNITY PROGRAM OR INITIATIVE COUNCIL HAS COMING UP IN THE FUTURE, OR ALREADY UNDERWAY?

Council is working with the Queensland Government and the Fraser Coast Bicycle Users Group to continue developing the Mary to Bay Rail Trail.

The aim is to repurpose the disused rail corridor between Maryborough and Hervey Bay as both a tourist attraction

and a local recreational route, increasing connectivity for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders.

Rail trails across Australia are growing in popularity, particularly with cyclists. It can be a tourism drawcard that could inject millions into the local economy while also benefiting locals who want to explore the great outdoors by walking or riding along the trail.

Significant work has been done in recent years to improve and expand the trail, and more is planned in the future, with the ultimate aim of connecting the heritage city of Maryborough to the seaside city of Hervey Bay.

12. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT AN INTERESTING URBAN DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN THE REGION?

Fraser Coast Regional Council is transforming the Hervey Bay City Centre by developing a community hub, which will include a new regional library, a Council administration centre, a Disaster Resilience Centre and an outdoor public plaza for events, markets and live music.

Council has partnered with the Federal Government through the Hinkler Regional Deal to build this $100 million world-class city centre.

Construction for this exciting hub is now about halfway and is expected to be completed in mid-2026.

Fraser Coast Regional Council is pushing forward with many projects including the construction of the Fraser Coast Water Grid, upgrades to the Hervey Bay Airport Terminal and construction of a multi-purpose indoor sports facility at the Fraser Coast Sports and Recreation Precinct.

13. HOW IS YOUR COUNCIL EMBRACING DIGITISATION AND GROWING ITS TECHNOLOGICAL CAPABILITIES?

Fraser Coast Regional Council is halfway through a major business transformation, rolling out mobile solutions to its outdoor teams for tasks like infringements, works requests, and timesheets. In the office, staff now benefit from a central customer knowledgebase and AI-assisted Call Centre support. Council has held GenAI workshops for managers and introduced smart parking technology. Its IT Steering Committee now also oversees Operational Technology, boosting collaboration across teams like Water and Libraries to better use digital tools and data.

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Frontline defence needs funding

Australia’s councils are stepping up as frontline defenders against climate change, investing billions nationally to protect their communities from rising risks.

Anew report from the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) reveals that local governments will spend more than $2 billion by 2030 on adaptation measures.

Interventions ranging from flood management and coastal protection, to bushfire education and urban cooling should deliver up to $4.7 billion in avoided costs and community benefits.

“This ground-breaking research shows councils are leading the way in preparing for and managing these ever-increasing impacts, including from natural disasters,” ALGA President Mayor Matt Burnett said at the National General Assembly in Canberra.

“The climate of every community is different, and it’s impressive to see innovative examples and strong leadership by councils across Australia to reduce climate risks and future-proof their communities.”

The Adapting Together: Local Government Leadership in a Changing Climate report, prepared with Nation Partners and Ricardo, is the first national attempt to quantify the economic and social value of local government climate action.

Drawing on 219 examples and five detailed case studies, the report models how local projects – from Darwin’s tree planting program to Hobart’s bushfire resilience initiative – are helping communities prepare for a hotter, riskier future.

According to the report, even under the most optimistic scenarios for global emissions reduction, Australia’s towns and cities will face escalating threats. Without adaptation, disaster-related costs could soar to $73 billion by 2060.

Local governments, already under strain maintaining core infrastructure, are carrying an “inequitable delivery burden” as service providers of last resort.

Lord Mayor of Hobart Anna Reynolds said the Federal Government must do more than acknowledge local leadership.

“The Federal Government rightly recognises the best climate solutions come from those closest to the risks but there’s a huge gap between recognising this principle and providing the funding

needed to deliver it to local communities,” she said.

ALGA is calling for a new $400 million annual Climate Adaptation Fund to be distributed across all councils.

“Climate-resilient infrastructure is expensive and takes time to build, so we need sustainable funding from the Federal Government to implement long-term planning and adaptation now and into the future,” Burnett said.

Case studies from the report highlight how adaptation looks different across regions:

• In the City of Darwin, the 2030 Greening Darwin Strategy is planting cyclone-resistant, climate-suitable trees along transport routes and in suburbs with low canopy cover to combat heat and storm risks

• Lockyer Valley Regional Council, devastated by repeated floods, has implemented voluntary buy-backs in high-risk zones and relocated entire communities, ensuring longterm safety

• The City of Hobart has worked with households through its ‘Sparking Conversations, Igniting Action’ program, boosting bushfire preparedness by encouraging vegetation management, household planning and stronger community ties

• Moyne Shire Council has restricted new development in Port Fairy’s flood-prone coastal zones, proactively addressing sea level rise and storm surges

• The City of Onkaparinga has embedded climate risk into its governance through a dedicated response plan, mapping physical and transition risks across assets, services and operations

Each of these initiatives is paying dividends. Cost-benefit analysis in the report shows council-led projects return between $0.80 and $3.10 for every dollar spent.

While some benefits – such as improved mental health or employment – are difficult to quantify, the evidence suggests councils’ efforts provide significant national value.

Mayor Tanya Milligan of Lockyer Valley said the stakes are clear.

“Adapting to climate challenges is critical for local government, and it’s vital

that other levels of government consider and invest in the recommendations of this new report, to ensure communities at risk have a safer and brighter future.”

The report also underscores that adaptation means more than just building sea walls or planting trees. Councils are reshaping how they plan and govern.

Nearly half of the projects analysed were internal governance measures such as climate risk assessments, adaptation strategies and integrating climate projections into asset management.

Others focus on education, behaviour change, and partnerships with Traditional Owners to embed cultural knowledge in resilience planning.

First Nations collaborations are highlighted as critical. In Wiluna, Western Australia, the Shire worked with the Tarlka Matuwa Piarku Aboriginal Corporation to create a Martu Bush Walk, restoring native vegetation while supporting cultural practice and community health.

A URGENT FOCUS

The scale of council responsibility is immense.

Local governments deliver and manage more than one-third of Australia’s public infrastructure, from roads and drains to parks and community centres.

They are on the frontline of health and social support – running immunisation programs, maternal and child health, aged care, and neighbourhood centres – all services increasingly stressed by climate-driven emergencies.

Yet funding shortfalls persist.

The Grattan Institute estimates councils already need an extra $1 billion annually just to maintain local roads. Without consistent federal investment, councils’ ability to adapt will be “increasingly constrained and unable to adapt effectively”.

For communities, these investments are not abstract – they are lifelines.

Councils are proving that adaptation is both achievable and economically sound. The challenge, as the report makes clear, is sustaining this momentum nationally.

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TSummit to elevate digital communication

In the social media age, local governments face complex new challenges in communicating with their communities. To rebuild public trust, councils must adopt modern strategies for engaging with residents online.

he upcoming Social Media for Government conference represents a critical opportunity for collaboration and innovation in public sector digital communication.

Conference Producer, Kellie Tran said that government representatives from all levels – federal, state and local – will attend the event to speak and share their insights on how governments can elevate their social media presence.

“We actually talked to different communication offi cers, social media offi cers, and learned about their real struggles,” Tran said. “This year’s agenda is very informed and research based.”

A BROADER APPROACH TO DIGITAL COMMUNICATION

The event will offer two content streams. The first stream focuses on creative communication, exploring critical areas such as inclusive storytelling, diversity representation, and developing successful campaigns. The second stream takes a more operational approach, addressing reputation management, strategic digital investments, and communication infrastructure.

Participants will experience a diverse range of knowledge-sharing formats, including thought-provoking keynote addresses, in-depth case studies from various government sectors, interactive panel discussions, and collaborative round table sessions.

A key challenge to be addressed is creating authentic content for diverse communities.

“There’s an ironic situation happening where an agency produces specific content for vulnerable communities, but they actually get backlash for it,” Tran explained.

“The question is, how do they do this without a tokenistic perception? A lot of agencies have been struggling around that area, where they want to be progressive, be inclusive, but they don’t know how.”

DIVERSE TOPICS, UNIFIED GOALS

The event’s program has been tailored to address the most pressing complexities in modern digital communication and help government agencies rebuild and maintain public trust.

“There’s a lot of different topics that will be covered,” Tran said.

“How do you create an impactful strategy? How do you maintain and moderate toxicity online? How do you curate content for vulnerable communities?”

Case studies will be used to showcase innovative campaigns ranging from transportation to anti-racism initiatives, providing practical insights and realworld examples of successful digital communication strategies.

One such case study is Sharing Stories That Matter: icare’s Paralympic Speakers Program Campaign.

icare NSW recently launched a campaign to promote the Paralympic Speakers Program – a free initiative designed to help NSW businesses build safer, more inclusive workplaces.

The program, run by icare in partnership with Paralympics Australia, connects businesses with elite Paralympians who share their lived experiences of injury, recovery and resilience.

To bring these stories to life, icare produced a series of short-form videos featuring four Paralympic athletes. Each story was tailored for social media, using bold visuals, accessible captions, and authentic storytelling to spark conversation and engagement. A targeted

paid media element helped extend the campaign’s reach across the state.

This case study demonstrates how, by focusing on the humanity behind each athlete’s journey, the campaign helped elevate the profile of the Paralympic Speakers Program and reinforced icare’s commitment to supporting recovery, inclusion, and workplace safety.

Attendees of Social Media for Government will see – through case studies like icare’s – the practical benefits of strong media strategies.

BUILDING STRONGER CONNECTIONS

“One of the most exciting aspects is seeing agencies interact with one another – not just sharing information, but connecting and building a community,” Tran said.

With public trust in government always at risk, this conference represents more than just a professional development opportunity. It’s a critical moment for governments at all levels to re-imagine how they communicate.

Participants can expect to leave with practical strategies for effective digital communication, insights into managing online reputation, techniques for creating inclusive and authentic content, and networking opportunities with fellow communication professionals. By bringing together communication professionals from federal, state, and local levels, the conference promises to be a transformative experience. The Social Media for Government conference is more than an event. Instead, it’s a roadmap for the future of public sector communication.

To learn more, visit socialmediagov.co

Councils ready themselves for procurement shifts

FThe countdown is on for one of the biggest gatherings of procurement professionals on the New South Wales local government calendar, with the 2025 Local Government Procurement Annual Conference set to return to Sydney this October.

or two days, procurement leaders, council officers, and suppliers will converge at Doltone House, Darling Island, for a Local Government Procurement Annual Conference program squarely focused on the future.

This year’s theme, Future Focused: 2026 and Beyond, signals a deliberate step towards preparing councils for the shifting forces that will shape procurement over the next decade.

It is not only about emerging technologies, but also about the social, environmental, and economic pressures reshaping how councils engage with markets, suppliers, and communities.

What sets the 2025 program apart is its willingness to stretch beyond compliance and cost efficiency.

Sessions will explore the role of artificial intelligence in government, the influence of global procurement trends, and the cultural benefits of

building more empathetic workplaces. Case studies will be presented to bring these issues down to earth, showing how strategies can be applied in real-world settings.

The scope of issues is notably broad.

“The topics at this year’s conference have been carefully designed to address current challenges and opportunities for councils,” said Trish Nichitean, Local Government Procurement’s Head of Marketing & Communications.

“Content goes beyond theory, focusing on real-world applications and solutions for people working within local government.”

The keynote speaker this year is Kirsty McGrath, the Founder of the Microsoft 365 Adoption User Groups and an eight-time awarded Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP). Kirsty is a highly experienced adoption specialist, having worked alongside

both Technical Partners and Microsoft with their top 200 clients, leading businesses through small to large and complex transformation projects. Kirsty will be speaking about artificial intelligence (AI) tool Microsoft Copilot and its capabilities, the art of prompting and how councils can adopt AI into their business.

“The conference is designed to ensure participants will leave with actionable insights, strategies, and tools that can be applied immediately within their business,” Nichitean said.

Procurement teams will also hear about the challenges of modern slavery in supply chains, the continuing focus on sustainability measures, and other issues on a global scale. For many councils, these are not abstract concepts but pressing, day-to-day realities

that demand practical solutions. The program is designed to equip attendees with both insight and action points to take back to their organisations.

While the conference is firmly future-oriented, it remains grounded in the network of relationships that sustain local government procurement.

Structured opportunities to connect are woven throughout the agenda, from morning teas and lunches to the busy exhibition space.

A standout is the return of the Round Robin Networking format, designed to ensure every exhibitor speaks with every delegate. For councils, this means an efficient way to discover options; for exhibitors, it guarantees visibility and conversation.

Recognition is also a central feature of the event.

On the opening night, the Local Government Procurement Annual Awards will spotlight individuals,

teams, and organisations delivering exceptional outcomes across the sector.

Nominations, open until 19 September, invite peers, managers, clients, and even self-nominees to put forward those driving smarter solutions, championing sustainability, or creating meaningful community impact. Winners will be announced at the conference dinner, giving the sector a chance to celebrate excellence alongside the learning and networking.

Telstra returns as Platinum Sponsor, while Council Magazine is once again the official media partner.

The alignment highlights the crosssector importance of procurement and the role of technology, innovation, and communication in shaping its future direction.

Councils are being asked to navigate competing demands: tighter budgets, increasing compliance obligations,

supply chain vulnerabilities, and community expectations for sustainable and inclusive practices.

The 2025 Local Government Procurement Annual Conference positions itself as a forum to confront these challenges head-on, while providing the tools, contacts, and inspiration to respond effectively.

Crucially, delegates will leave with more than notes and reflections.

Speaker slide decks will be made available after the event, ensuring the knowledge gained can be transferred to colleagues back at council.

The focus is on equipping not just individual attendees, but entire teams with the insights required to adapt and lead.

With artificial intelligence, sustainability, cultural inclusion, and global pressures reshaping the landscape, councils cannot afford to operate on old assumptions.

PARKS TO FOOTBALL FIELDS

Building smarter, more sustainable roads:

Inside the asset maintenance & materials conference at Highways AU 2025

Australia’s road networks are under increasing strain. More extreme weather, growing freight and commuter demands, and tight public budgets are all forcing governments to rethink how infrastructure is maintained. At the same time, there’s a growing expectation to make assets last longer, deliver better value, and meet higher sustainability standards.

The Asset Maintenance & Materials Conference at Highways AU 2025, taking place at ICC Sydney on 15-16 October, brings together leaders from across the country to discuss how they are meeting these pressures with smarter planning, better materials, and more strategic delivery.

FROM REACTIVE FIXES TO DATA-LED MAINTENANCE

With large networks and limited funding, knowing where and when to invest is critical. At Transport for NSW, John Hardwick, Executive Director of Asset Management, and Brett Butcher, Director of Regional Assets, are leading efforts to apply data and asset intelligence to guide decision-making and get ahead of future maintenance issues before they escalate.

Using digital tools, integrated asset systems, and predictive maintenance planning, agencies like theirs are improving long-term performance and reducing disruptions across regional and urban networks. The conference will look at what’s working and how others can adopt similar practices in their own networks.

SUSTAINABILITY AND MATERIAL INNOVATION

The pressure to reduce carbon and build more sustainably is shaping how roads are constructed and maintained. Tony Aloisio, CEO of the Australian Flexible Pavement Association, and Tanja Conners, CEO of AustStab, are working with industry and government to embed recycled materials and circular economy practices into road infrastructure projects across the country.

This includes the use of reclaimed asphalt, recycled aggregates, and stabilised materials that not only reduce environmental impact but often deliver better performance. The conference will spotlight how these innovations are being scaled and the practical changes needed in standards and procurement to support wider adoption.

RESILIENCE TO CLIMATE EXTREMES

Local councils are on the front lines of managing roads in areas prone to flood, fire, and heat. Leaders such as Jinjiang Zhong, Principal Engineer of Road Asset Management at Logan City Council, Will Barton, Director of Infrastructure Services at Hawkesbury City Council, and Eng Lim, Director of Infrastructure Services at Quilpie Shire Council, will share how they are planning

The Asset Maintenance & Materials Conference is part of Highways AU 2025, one of Australia’s leading events for the road and transport infrastructure sector. Images: Terrapinn.

for and responding to climate risk with limited resources.

Sessions will explore what it takes to make networks more resilient, from smarter materials and design to better scenario planning and local coordination. Attendees will hear firsthand what has worked on the ground and how to plan for increasingly unpredictable conditions.

RETHINKING CONTRACTS AND DELIVERY

Maintenance is not just about the work on the road, it’s about how that work is procured and delivered. Speakers will also discuss how contract models are evolving to support long-term outcomes, not just short-term fixes.

From performance-based maintenance contracts to more collaborative delivery

approaches, agencies are finding ways to better align contractor incentives with safety, durability, and sustainability goals. These changes are helping unlock innovation and improve value for money across the asset lifecycle.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The Asset Maintenance & Materials Conference offers practical insights for road managers at all levels of government. Over two days, attendees will:

•Hear directly from state leaders like John Hardwick and Brett Butcher on Transport for NSW’s approach to smart asset management

•Learn from industry leaders such as Tony Aloisio and Tanja Conners about the latest in recycled materials and sustainable practices

•Get real-world lessons from local leaders like Jinjiang

Zhong, Will Barton, and Eng Lim who are delivering in diverse regional contexts

•Understand how to prepare for climate impacts and design more resilient infrastructure

•Explore new delivery models that improve outcomes without increasing costs

Whether you manage a metropolitan freeway or a rural road network, this free to attend conference offers valuable ideas you can take back to your organisation.

It’s not just about new technology or materials, it’s about a smarter, more strategic way to care for the roads Australians rely on every day.

Attendees of the Highways Asset Maintenance & Materials Conference will learn about the latest digital and data-led predictive maintenance tools.

Unlock connections and capability at No-Dig Down Under 2025

Australia’s local governments play a pivotal role in maintaining and modernising underground infrastructure. This September, Melbourne becomes the national stage for innovation and collaboration at No-Dig Down Under 2025 – and councils won’t want to miss it.

From 17-18 September, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre will host the Southern Hemisphere’s largest and most prestigious trenchless technology event, bringing together public and private sector leaders, engineers, suppliers, and innovators under one roof. For local government professionals responsible for delivering reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable infrastructure, this is a rare opportunity to connect, learn, and lead.

PUT NETWORKING FIRST

At the heart of No-Dig Down Under 2025 is a series of networking events designed to build strong, collaborative industry connections – exactly the kind local councils rely on to deliver infrastructure projects that work.

The events kick off on Tuesday, 16 September with the Young People in Trenchless Networking Event, tailored specifically for professionals under 35. It’s a chance for emerging leaders in government and industry to connect with peers and form the relationships that will support their careers and communities long-term.

Immediately following is the Welcome Reception & Exhibition Opening at Cargo Hall, where conference delegates, exhibitors, and training participants come together in an informal setting to reconnect and explore the exhibition floor after hours. This event is a standout for attendees seeking to meet new partners, contractors, and suppliers.

On Wednesday morning, the Pipe Core UV Technology Demonstration offers

a blend of networking and education, alongside a live demonstration of UV curing technology.

The networking continues into the evening at the Vermeer Australia’s Networking Night at the Arts Centre Melbourne, where a relaxed setting makes it easy to forge partnerships and lasting connections.

Finally, the events culminate with the ASTT Gala Awards Dinner, sponsored by Herrenknecht on Thursday, 18 September at Marvel Stadium – a formal celebration of trenchless excellence, showcasing some of the most impactful work being done across the sector.

ELEVATE CAPABILITY THROUGH TARGETED TRAINING

While the social calendar is impressive, No-Dig Down Under’s commitment to practical, high-value training is just as compelling.

A suite of technical training sessions precedes the main event. These sessions are ideal for local government engineers, asset managers, and project officers seeking to deepen their expertise in trenchless methods.

Courses cover key areas such as horizontal directional drilling, pipe rehabilitation, and trenchless installation, providing CPD-accredited learning from national and international experts. With underground infrastructure challenges becoming more complex, this training ensures local government teams are up to

date with the latest technologies and best practices.

WHY IT MATTERS FOR COUNCILS

For local governments, trenchless technology represents an opportunity to deliver infrastructure with less disruption, lower environmental impact, and better long-term value. No-Dig Down Under gives council staff the tools and connections to make that happen. It’s the only trenchless conference of its scale in the southern hemisphere, offering access to:

• Hands-on product showcases

• Expert-led workshops and training

• Direct contact with suppliers and contractors

• Award-winning project insights and peer learning

Whether you’re upgrading stormwater systems, rehabilitating aging pipelines, or planning sustainable growth, attending No-Dig Down Under 2025 can help your council get it right the first time.

SECURE YOUR PLACE TODAY

Demand is already high, and tickets are going fast. Local government delegates are encouraged to register now to secure access to training, exhibition sessions, and the full networking program. Make sure your council is at the forefront of Australia’s underground infrastructure future. Visit nodigdownunder.com to learn more and register.

Awards celebrate the trenchless industry. Images: Prime Creative Media.

NDDU is a major networking event for trenchless industry professionals.

Trenchless repair no longer a pipe dream

As communities urbanise across Australia, local governments are facing the pressure of maintaining thousands of kilometres of stormwater and wastewater pipes.

Traditional dig-and-replace methods are no longer viable for many councils looking to replace pipes, which can be decades old and in states of deterioration.

They are disruptive, costly, and often socially unpopular due to their impact on traffic, businesses, and residents. In today’s environment, non-invasive trenchless technologies offer a smarter, more sustainable solution – minimising disruption, reducing costs, and extending the lifespan of critical assets.

As community expectations rise and environmental regulations tighten, trenchless pipe repair is becoming a necessity for local government asset managers across Australia.

CERTIFIED TRENCHLESS SOLUTION TRAINING

Recognising this shift, global engineering solutions provider Trelleborg, together with Asset Training, has developed a

certified training program to support councils and their contractors in deploying safe, compliant, and longlasting trenchless repairs.

Offered in partnership with SECA, the DrainPacker Product Training Course equips professionals with the skills and knowledge to carry out point repairs on gravity sewer and stormwater pipes using certified no-dig techniques.

“This training is designed to meet the very real infrastructure challenges that Australian councils are facing,” explained William Wong, Business Development Manager APAC at Trelleborg.

“The DrainPacker system allows for fast, localised repairs with minimal surface disruption – ideal for use beneath roads, parks, heritage areas, and other sensitive locations.”

WHAT’S ON THE SYLLABUS

The training course is highly practical and directly aligned with the operational

realities faced by local government works teams and approved contractors. The course covers:

• Understanding DrainPacker system components – including certified resins and fibreglass materials, and the importance of a complete system to achieve long term solutions

• Damage assessment – identifying cracks, infiltration, corrosion and other common issues in gravity pipes that are suitable for repair using the DrainPacker system

• Material calculation – ensuring correct resin volumes and thickness for structural integrity

• Installation techniques – from pre-site, packer preparation, mixing resin, pot life, wetting out material, installation, curing and safe removal

• Documentation and traceability – ensuring compliance with audit, warranty and reporting

requirements that ensure the installed DrainPacker system is correctly installed to achieve design and life expectancy Importantly, the course also addresses relevant Australian and international standards including a range of certifications, giving councils the confidence that repairs are being carried out to globally recognised benchmarks.

“This is not just another product demo,” Wong said.

“We’ve worked together with Asset Training, an accredited training provider in Australia to develop a structured, certification-aligned course that ensures repairs meet the performance and compliance expectations that councils are accountable for.”

THE VALUE FOR COUNCILS

The timing of this training is critical. With mounting budget constraints, increasing scrutiny over procurement practices, and a national focus on asset lifecycle management, it’s

more important than ever that local governments choose certified, proven solutions for pipe rehabilitation.

“Councils are being asked to do more with less. Many are now requesting product life and structural design information – increasingly for up to 100 years.

“Trenchless technologies like DrainPacker help extend the life of existing infrastructure without major civil works, and our training ensures that these repairs are done properly –first time, every time.”

The DrainPacker system has undergone rigorous testing – including 10,000-hour creep analysis – to verify long-term structural performance.

The course also highlights the risks of using non-certified or imitation products, which can lead to:

• Structural failure due to poor quality materials

• Environmental hazards, such as groundwater contamination

• Compliance breaches and failed inspections

• Loss of traceability and audit issues

• Costly rework and future liabilities Wong warns of the risks that arise from cheaper alternatives that look the same, but don’t perform the same.

“Is the fibreglass treated for chemical and corrosion resistance? Is resin performance consistent? Only traceability from site to distributor to manufacture can ensure that installed products are genuine.

“Visual similarity does not mean material equivalence – especially under Australian conditions, where UV exposure, chemical resistance and soil variability must be accounted for.”

A TRUSTED LOCAL PARTNER

To help Australian councils mitigate risk and ensure quality outcomes, Trelleborg distributes its DrainPacker system and training through SECA, a long-standing local supplier of trenchless technologies.

SECA offers councils:

• Certified training programs

• Access to genuine Trelleborg materials

• Support with compliance and documentation – designs are required to be validated

All resin and fibreglass components used in the DrainPacker system are batch-tracked, labelled, and documented in Trelleborg’s European production system. The extra measures are designed to offer full traceability and accountability.

“We’re proud to work with SECA as our exclusive training partner, providing the DrainPacker as a complete system in Australia” Wong said.

“They understand the needs of local councils and bring deep technical expertise to the table.”

INVESTING IN SKILLS, INVESTING IN LONG-TERM SUCCESS

For local governments, infrastructure investment is about more than just materials – it’s about capability. With rising scrutiny on procurement and asset performance, councils need trained professionals who can deliver repairs that are safe, compliant, and durable.

“This course is about empowering councils and contractors with the right tools, processes and knowledge,” Wong said.

“When your team is trained and your materials are certified, you reduce risk, increase accountability, and make the most of every ratepayer dollar.”

To learn more about the course visit: seca.com.au

NTRO’s push to rewire road thinking

Experts are helping councils shift from reacting to crashes, to preventing them before they happen.

As Australia faces its fourth consecutive year of rising road trauma, the National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO) is working closely with councils to shift how local government approaches road safety – from reactive responses to proactive and even predictive, datadriven strategies.

For David McTiernan, NTRO’s National Leader Transport Safety, it’s about helping councils turn high-level policy into targeted, fundable action.

“Last year, and now 2025, we’ve seen a year-on-year increase in road deaths

and serious injuries across the nation,” McTiernan said.

“The rate of that increase is itself increasing. It’s definitely on an upward swing – and going against every national, state and territory strategy in place.”

For local government, this is not an abstract challenge. Councils manage the majority of Australia’s road network, meaning they are at the coalface, grappling with wildly different risk profiles depending on their geography, population, funding, and road use patterns.

“We fully appreciate there’s no one-sizefits-all,” McTiernan said.

“But local government is local government, and road safety issues are road safety issues. There’s quite a common theme across them, even if solutions need to be tailored.”

THE RURAL-METRO DIVIDE MATTERS

NTRO’s work has revealed stark differences between metropolitan and regional road safety trends. In urban settings, crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists are becoming more prevalent. In regional and rural areas, the profile changes significantly.

“In those areas, it’s typically single-vehicle crashes – run-offs into trees, roadside hazards or high-speed loss-of-control events. The outcomes are typically severe: fatal or serious injuries,” McTiernan said.

“It’s not tourists, or caravaners. Overwhelmingly it’s local people, on local roads, that is impacting local communities.”

The pattern points to infrastructure issues that councils can influence, like road shoulders, lane width, roadside hazards, but they often lack the resources to address these systemically. That is where NTRO’s tools and support come in.

PAST AND FUTURE: RSIT AND NETRISK2

Two tools underpin much of NTRO’s current road safety push: the Road Safety Intelligence Toolkit (RSIT), and NetRisk2. While RSIT focuses on understanding past crashes, NetRisk2 aims to predict (and prevent) future incidents.

“RSIT ingests crash data from the relevant jurisdiction. It allows you to interrogate it by local government area and visualise trends. In some states, councils already have access to this kind of data. But if they don’t, RSIT simplifies the process with dropdown menus, charts and maps,” McTiernan said.

“NetRisk2 is very different. It doesn’t rely on crash history. It uses risk assessment models – The Australian Road Assessment Program (AusRAP) and The Australian National Risk Assessment Model – to analyse a council’s road infrastructure and produce risk scores for each section of road. For AusRAP reporting, that gets translated into a Star Rating, which is intuitive: one star is highest risk, five stars is safest.”

The real power of NetRisk2 lies in its forward-looking nature.

“If there’s a road with no crashes, but is scored as a one- or two-star infrastructure risk profile, that tells us we’ve been lucky – so far. Understanding where the higher risk is on their networks allows councils to prioritise investment before the worst happens,” McTiernan said.

The model is also being applied to roads in the planning stage, through a process known as Star Rating for Designs.

“Councils can assess a planned road before it’s built. If it scores poorly, you go back and tweak the design. This can be a powerful approach and is where investment in safer infrastructure is heading,” he said.

TURNING DATA INTO DOLLARS

Data alone will not save lives or secure funding, but Network Safety Plans (NSPs) help a lot.

“RSIT tells you what’s happened. NetRisk2 tells you where the future risk is. But a Network Safety Plan pulls it all together. It’s a prioritised list of works and their cost, and it reports how many deaths and serious injuries could be prevented if the investment is made,” said McTiernan.

“That becomes a powerful internal document for shaping council works program. It also gives councils a ready-to-go list for grant applications that are available via federal and state programs such as Black Spot, Roads to Recovery, etc.”

He points to Bundaberg Regional Council as a standout example.

“Bundaberg is really the poster council for this approach. They funded the development themselves – from road surveys to risk assessments to the final network safety plan. NTRO worked with Bundaberg to shape what their Network Safety Plan should look like, and we had to adapt some of the national targets to fit their network mix,” McTiernan said.

He notes that while the National Road Safety Strategy sets a goal of having 80

per cent of vehicle kilometres travelled on roads rated three stars or better, that might not be the best metric for all councils.

“It’ll work at the national level – on highways, for example – but local networks vary and so infrastructure priorities may need to be adapted and councils develop targets that reflect their realities,” McTiernan said.

EMBEDDING THE SAFE SYSTEM APPROACH

The Safe System model – based on safer roads, safer vehicles, safer speeds, and safer people – is central to NTRO’s philosophy and the national strategy. McTiernan admits integrating it is a work in progress, particularly at the local level.

“It’s not just local councils. Even at the state and federal level, and across industry, there’s still work to do embedding Safe System thinking,” he said.

“Council engineers know the term. But when we ask if they’ve applied it, the hands drop. It’s partly because it’s been a top-down development. Councils are used to the black spot model – you need crashes to justify funding. Safe System is about preventing those crashes in the first place.”

Some pillars of the model are easier to implement than others.

“Post-crash care? Very little a council can do. Safer vehicles? Not directly, though councils can influence their fleet procurement policies. But safe speeds and safer infrastructure – that’s where local government can really move the dial.”

Speed in particular is a live issue, and a community one.

“It’s not about blanket reductions. It’s about the right speed for the right road,” McTiernan said.

“Higher speeds where we’re moving between towns, and lower speeds where we live, work and play. Councils can support that through design, even if they can’t set speed limits directly.”

MICRO-MOBILITY AND THE NEXT SAFETY FRONTIER

As micro-mobility – e-scooters, e-bikes, and similar modes – proliferates, NTRO is turning its attention to this new safety frontier.

“People are mixing at speed with both pedestrians and cars,” McTiernan said.

“It’s a vulnerable group, and the infrastructure isn’t always there yet to support safe use.”

Western Australia is currently holding an inquiry into e-rideable safety, and NTRO is preparing a submission.

“This is about asking: what infrastructure do we need? Do we separate e-rideables, pedestrians and cyclists? What’s realistic for councils to provide? The community’s expectations are evolving, and we need to keep pace,” McTiernan said.

BUILDING CAPACITY AND CLOSING GAPS

A recurring theme in McTiernan’s discussion is capacity, both financial and human. While some councils can self-fund ambitious plans, others simply cannot.

“We absolutely work with councils that don’t have internal road safety teams. Sometimes it starts from the asset management side – how do we use your condition data for safety insights? Sometimes it’s more strategic,” he said.

McTiernan emphasises that a Network Safety Plan does not have to be complex or expensive.

“There are lighter-touch models. Some states are already exploring that with their councils. We’re here to support that wherever we can,” he said.

That includes helping councils translate national and state policy into practical action.

“Council officers just want to get on with the job. They don’t have time to interpret dense strategy documents. Our role is to be that translator – from policy to project, from evidence to implementation.”

WHAT’S NEXT?

Looking ahead, NTRO’s priorities span the spectrum from traditional infrastructure assessments to emerging transport tech.

“Honestly, more of the same is still needed. Out of 537 councils, only a small portion have really engaged with the tools that work. So there’s still plenty to do in spreading that best practice,” McTiernan said.

NTRO is also leaning into innovation.

“In Western Australia, for example, we’re working with the City of Joondalup on a more future-focused program – something that looks beyond road safety and into integrated transport and technology.”

McTiernan also hints at a broader shift in how councils think about maintenance.

“We want to help councils develop asset management plans with a safety lens – not just a condition lens. A road in good condition isn’t necessarily a safe road,” he said.

“We’ve had 20 years of the Safe System approach. We’ve talked the talk. But we need to walk it and bring the community along for the ride.

“If we want to reach our targets – 50 per cent reduction in fatalities, 30 per cent in serious injuries by 2030 – local governments will have to lead the way. But they shouldn’t have to do it alone. That’s where we come in.”

Australia is facing its fourth year of rising road trauma. Image: Tomasz Zajda/stock.adobe.com

Councils that don’t embrace artificial intelligence risk wasting time.

Why councils shouldn’t wait to use AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) and smart technologies are no longer a distant possibility for local government – they’re already reshaping how councils work across Australia and New Zealand.

From service delivery to infrastructure planning, smart technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) innovations are helping solve some of the sector’s most pressing challenges. The shift is underway, and for councils; this is the time to act.

While integrating AI into council services might sound like a lofty concept, many councils are already applying it in grounded, practical ways.

Peter Nelson, Datacom’s Managing Director for SaaS Products (software-asa-service), explained how he uses AI in his own work.

“I weave AI toolsets into much of my daily activity,” Nelson said.

“Just last week I asked Copilot for Office 365 to scan thousands of internal conversations to find top AI adoption examples across the business. It returned a concise summary and links in five

seconds. That saved hours – and gathered insights I would have missed using traditional methods.”

Nelson said Datacom used its internal genAI platform to prepare for a highstakes workshop.

“We were sent 20 pages of customer questions on a major project. We uploaded that and hundreds of supporting documents to Datacom Chat. In minutes, we had a response pack aligned to each

question. Without AI, that would have taken days.”

It’s this kind of intelligent automation now entering council operations. Whether it’s summarising long reports, analysing community feedback, or managing permits and compliance, AI can slash the time spent on repetitive tasks, freeing staff for higher-value work.

FROM WASTEWATER PLANTS TO CUSTOMER SERVICE

The use cases are diverse. John Wiggs, Datacom’s Director of Datascape, noted councils are starting to deploy AI in everything from asset management to real-time customer support. One standout he noted, was from a New Zealand council.

“This council has rolled out 162 AI licences internally, developing tools they call ‘AI Assistants’ to automate routine tasks,” Wiggs said.

“For example, after their City Summit, they used AI to turn handwritten submissions into a full report in two days – something that would’ve taken weeks.”

Other councils are piloting AI to monitor wastewater systems, respond to emergencies with geo-tagged dashboards, and even automate pothole detection via video analysis.

It’s not just about operational wins – it’s about broader impact.

“Financial sustainability is a major issue for councils on both sides of the Tasman,” said Wiggs.

“Whether it’s rising infrastructure costs or workforce shortages in rural areas, AI can be a force multiplier.”

SMART TOOLS FOR SMARTER PEOPLE

One concern often raised is whether AI might replace people. But both

Nelson and Wiggs view it as a tool for augmenting staff, not replacing them.

“In Australia, the local government workforce actually shrank by 11 per cent between 2012 and 2021, but service demand only increased,” Wiggs explained.

“AI isn’t here to replace people, it’s about helping them be more effective.”

He described how Datascape’s own platform now lets users create reports by simply typing questions in plain English –no coding or technical training needed.

“It’s about empowerment. We’re also building tools to guide users through complex workflows, like development applications, or even approve compliant cases automatically,” Wiggs said.

PRIVACY, TRUST, AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION

As AI becomes more embedded in council systems, governance and public trust are critical.

“There’s real tension between innovation and risk,” Wiggs said. “But we can address this. At Datacom, we vet every AI tool using a framework that covers data sovereignty, security, access controls, and responsible use. Councils can apply the same standards in their own environments.”

Transparency is another key to building trust.

“Live reporting changes everything,” Nelson said. “One council uses realtime dashboards to show service level compliance. It’s reduced inquiry volumes and boosted public confidence.”

He also pointed to Moorabool Shire’s open-data initiative as an example of the tangible results.

“They publicly track performance on everything from road repairs to customer satisfaction. They’ve gone from 60 per

cent to 80 per cent satisfaction in just two years.”

WHERE TO START?

With so much potential, many councils are wondering how to begin. The answer is start small and build from there.

“Pick a clear, solvable problem with measurable impact,” Wiggs advised.

“Use off-the-shelf AI tools from vendors to run a pilot, learn what works, and build internal momentum. Most councils won’t build AI themselves – they’ll consume it through enterprise platforms.”

Nelson added that leadership is key.

“We need councils to build AI literacy at all levels,” he said.

“Leaders must understand the tools, and everyone must be supported through change – whether through training, lunch-and-learns, or internal champions.”

Above all, the call is for urgency.

“The benefits are real – we’ve seen them,” Nelson said. “And while councils may not operate with the same pace as the private sector, delays only postpone the outcomes communities desperately need.”

THE FUTURE IS ALREADY HERE

AI is not a standalone tool – it’s a shift in how councils operate, plan, and engage. For those ready to take the first step, the message is clear: the opportunity is here now.

“AI lets us go beyond human limits,” said Wiggs.

“Not to replace, but to amplify and to do things we couldn’t do before.”

It’s the smart tools – used wisely and ethically – that may just help build a smarter future.

Join industry leaders and procurement professionals for two days of forward-looking insights, practical learning, and valuable networking.

This year’s program explores the future of AI in government, the impact of geopolitical disruption on local government supply chains, and strategies to future-proof procurement practices.

lgp.org.au/annual-conference/

events@lgp.org.au

Transforming community relations management

In a digital age where community expectations and customer service are evolving rapidly, local governments are rethinking how they deliver services – and Maitland City Council is leading the charge.

At the heart of local government’s digital transformation is a platform often associated with big business, now proving its worth in public sector innovation.

Salesforce is the world’s number one artificial intelligence (AI) customer relationship management (CRM) platform, where humans with agents drive citizen success together.

Through Salesforce solutions like CRM, Slack, Tableau and Data Cloud, plus a suite of customisable agents and tools, Salesforce can help local governments connect with residents and communities.

STRATEGIC CENTRALISATION

Mark Margin, Executive Manager of Customer & Digital Services at Maitland City Council said that in 2023, Council began an innovation journey to revitalise its customer interactions using Salesforce.

That journey with Salesforce was driven by a commitment to customer-first service design.

“As part of our customer-driven transformation, we reviewed how we manage customer interactions, starting with a clear understanding of the problems we needed to solve,” Margin said.

“Using human-centred design, we identified key challenges and explored technology options before we identified Salesforce as the best fit.”

Previously, Maitland was using multiple disconnected systems, which created inefficiencies and made it difficult to form a unified view of customer needs.

“We saw the opportunity to consolidate into a single platform – a trusted source of customer and councillor requests – to streamline processes, strengthen collaboration across the organisation and deliver a more responsive, consistent experience for the community interacting with Council.”

Salesforce’s flexibility was a key factor.

“Its flexibility allows us to tailor solutions to the unique requirements of local government, with the capability to rapidly evolve alongside changing needs and expectations.”

IMPLEMENTATION PARTNERS POWERING CHANGE

Margin explained that Council worked with multiple Salesforce specialists to drive its transformation, such as Ennovative, a Salesforce consulting and implementation partner based in Adelaide, South Australia.

“Ennovative played a key role in foundational projects like the MyCouncil community request portal and a dedicated solution for councillors, bringing valuable Salesforce-forgovernment expertise,” he said.

“More recently, Cloud Active has built on our existing Salesforce capability with fresh perspectives, technical skills and a

Adopting Salesforce has improved the customer management experience for both sta and residents. Images: Maitland City Council.

strong integration know-how – helping us refine workflows and expand our digital services. Their work extends beyond the platform’s front end, leveraging Salesforce as the engine behind seamless internal processes to enhance user experiences.”

TACKLING CHALLENGES HEAD-ON System overhauls rarely come easy, and Maitland’s was no exception.

“One of the biggest challenges was integrating the platform with our existing systems and processes, many of which operated in isolation,” Margin said.

“We addressed this by taking a staged approach, working closely with our customers, partners and internal teams to design services and thoroughly test each integration before moving to the next phase.

“Change management was a priority. We invested time in employee training, ensuring clear communication and engaging teams early on to help shape the solutions collaboratively.

“This approach not only identified and resolved issues quickly but also, importantly, built a strong sense of ownership and confidence in the new platform.”

TANGIBLE OUTCOMES

Margin said that the impact of Salesforce at Maitland has been measurable and meaningful.

“Salesforce CRM and Experience Cloud have transformed our operations, improving customer satisfaction, efficiency, and staff experience,” he said.

•Paper-based requests reduced from

•Request creation time cut in half – from

•Request update time down 80 per cent – from ten minutes to just two

•Automated updates via SMS/email reduce follow-up calls

•Real-time dashboards provide staff with instant data access

“We now capture customer satisfaction scores for all service requests, achieving a post-implementation average of 4/5. This ongoing feedback helps drive continuous improvements, building community trust and ensuring services evolve with customer needs,” Margin said.

“While often seen as a corporate tool, Salesforce’s flexibility makes it a powerful asset for local government.

“With the right configuration, councils can deliver the same service innovation as big corporations, grounded in local community needs.”

AI AND DATA: THE NEXT FRONTIER

While Maitland has not implemented AI in public-facing services yet, it’s laying the groundwork.

“We are actively exploring its potential internally, particularly to boost efficiency and support better decision-making. We’re taking a careful, transparent approach to build trust and ensure clear benefits,” Margin said.

Maitland is the first council in its region to adopt a formal AI policy, aligned with the NSW Artificial Intelligence Assurance Framework.

“AI and data tools have the potential to help councils address challenges in efficiency, planning, and community engagement,” Margin notes.

council-specific queries, bridging the gap between complex legislation and everyday language.”

When asked what advice he’d give to other local governments, Margin said that the best practice was to start with strategy, not software.

“Know the problem you’re solving, and how the technology can create value for your organisation and community,” he said.

“Build strong governance. Create transparent, responsible, and well-understood decisionmaking processes.

“Engage early. Involve your community, employees, and stakeholders from the beginning.”

SALESFORCE’S LOCAL GOVERNMENT SUMMIT

Salesforce’s upcoming Local Government Senior Leaders event in October is an opportunity for councils looking to enhance their customer services.

“Events like this give councils a valuable chance to share experiences, learn from peers, and explore practical ways to use technology to improve community services,” Margin said.

“Hearing real-world examples can spark new ideas, highlight solutions that work in a local government context, and help avoid common pitfalls.

“Attendees also get direct access to experts, discuss emerging trends and consider how they can adapt tools like

Maitland Administration Centre and Town Hall.

Smarter, data-driven fleet safety

Safety is a cornerstone of responsible fleet management for councils. Whether in waste collection, maintenance, parks care or other services, protecting both drivers and the public is essential.

For councils, the challenge lies not only in maintaining vehicle compliance and reducing incident rates, but also in building a safety-first culture that prevents collisions before they occur.

With growing pressure to do more with less, councils are increasingly turning to AI (artificial intelligence) - driven, analyticsbased approaches to managing risk.

Modern fleet technologies can monitor driver behaviour, identify emerging safety concerns, and benchmark performance over time –improving safety while also unlocking operational efficiencies.

A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO FLEET SAFETY

A new fleet safety solution is now available that supports Australian councils in taking a more strategic, preventative approach to risk management.

Geotab’s Safety Centre is designed to help fleet managers shift from reactive to preventative safety measures. This AI-driven platform provides real-time visibility into vehicle and driver performance, alongside actionable

insights that can reduce incident rates and create a culture of accountability.

Business Development Manager at Geotab, Alkan Ciftci, explains that the platform gives users the ability to benchmark their vehicles and drivers against similar fl eets.

“It generates a Predictive Collision Risk – or PCR – score based on driving patterns, allowing fleet managers to identify where risks are emerging and provide targeted coaching before incidents occur,” Ciftci said.

MAKING ADVANCED SAFETY SIMPLE

Local governments benefi t from the platform’s simplicity and ease of use.

“It’s designed with usability in mind – even for organisations without a dedicated data team,” Ciftci said.

“From the moment a council user logs into the system, they’re greeted with a clear safety dashboard that highlights priority risks, trends, and benchmarks.”

The platform analyses a detailed set of driving behaviours – such as acceleration, harsh braking, cornering, and speed – and compares them to industry benchmarks.

It then provides councils with a clear view of how their fl eet’s safety profi le is changing over time.

“Users can review their safety scores month by month, all the way back to when the system was fi rst installed,” Ciftci said.

BENCHMARKING THAT REFLECTS REAL-WORLD OPERATIONS

What sets this tool apart is its ability to benchmark vehicle and driver performance across a global dataset of nearly five million connected vehicles.

“This allows councils to compare their operations to similar fleet types under similar conditions,” Ciftci said.

“The benchmarking is not generic – it reflects the specific context of the vehicle’s use.”

This comparison enables targeted intervention. Fleet managers can identify which areas require training, understand the types of risks their drivers face, and use real-world evidence to justify investment in safety initiatives.

DELIVERING MEASURABLE RESULTS

Whether in maintenance, parks care, or waste collection, councils can access data that can keep drivers and the public safe. Image: Yaalan/stock.adobe.com

While safety is always a key focus, the return on investment is also an important consideration for councils.

“We’ve seen local government fl eets experience measurable improvements –not just in reducing collision risks, but in operational costs as well,” Ciftci said.

By shifting from a reactive to a proactive model of fl eet safety, councils are reducing insurance claims, minimising vehicle downtime, and fostering safer communities.

RAISING THE BAR FOR FLEET SAFETY

Local governments can use AI-driven safety platforms to enhance driver wellbeing, improve service delivery, and demonstrate strong governance.

With advanced analytics, easy-to-use dashboards, and predictive insights, these tools are helping councils set a new standard in risk management – one that benefi ts drivers, ratepayers, and communities alike.

To learn more, visit geotab.com

About Geosecure

Geosecure delivers advanced transport technology that helps organisations across Australia manage operations with greater clarity, confidence and control. With tailored support and real-time insights, we drive productivity, compliance and the transition to more sustainable fleets - backed by a partnershipfirst approach.

Align with National Fleet Standards

Geosecure for free! first approach.

Geosecure supports Australian fleet and asset managers with best-practice fleet telematic technology solutions that align with national fleet standards. Our systems provide real-time operational insights, enabling evidence-based decision-making, improved compliance and enhanced fleet productivity. We partner with organisations to support the full lifecycle of fleet assets, driving the transition to more sustainable and efficient operations through tailored consultation, ongoing support and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Smart tech lets

Tweed Shire wrangle roads

When Tweed Shire Council’s civil design team began planning the widening of Tweed Coast Road, they knew the project would be about far more than just adding lanes.

A$79 million upgrade, stretching 6.1 kilometres from the Pacific Motorway interchange at Chinderah to Grand Parade at Casuarina, is no easy task.

The widening of Tweed Coast Road is intended to address traffic growth, support major new developments, and deal with a challenging mix of environmental, flooding, and utility constraints.

Stage one, now in detailed design, covers about three kilometres from the motorway southwards. It is a $30 million package that includes not just roadworks, but environmental studies, noise attenuation planning, as well as integration with major sewer and water upgrades.

“The project aim is to widen the coastal road from two lanes to four lanes,” said Chris Hawkins, Civil Engineering Designer at Tweed Shire Council.

“That’s earmarked to probably roll out over the next 10 to 15 years.”

Council’s role is to produce the concept design for the full corridor and take the stage one design to 80–85 per cent completion, before handing it to a design-and-construct contractor for finalisation and delivery.

That is where the team’s choice of Civil Site Design software, developed in Melbourne by Civil Survey Applications, has proven critical. Being Australianmade, Civil Site Design offers the advantage of local support and training, along with outputs such as long sections

and cross section plans that match Australian requirements.

DESIGNING FOR A COMPLEX ENVIRONMENT

On paper, the widening may look straightforward – a “cookie cutter” expansion of the existing road. In reality, the site throws up a host of constraints.

The corridor runs through statemapped wetlands, meaning the project footprint must be minimised. With residential developments along the route, noise impacts need careful modelling. Additionally, recent history has underlined the scale of the flood challenge, with major events in 2017 and 2022 inundating parts of the area.

Flood mitigation has been one of the most intricate elements of the design.

“We had to work with flood consultants and send them design TINs [triangulated irregular networks] so they could build 3D models,” Hawkins said.

“We’re only talking in some instances of lifting or lowering the road 20 or 30 millimetres, so it was quite critical.”

The site’s extremely flat topography – plus or minus a metre across most of the corridor – makes traditional drainage almost impossible.

Instead, the design incorporates low-flow crossroad culverts and targeted drainage upgrades to address localised flooding, including areas affected by an unusual ebb-and-flow effect when the nearby Tweed River bursts its banks.

Layered over these environmental and flooding issues is a major utilities task.

Three large sewer rising mains will be installed to service growth along Tweed Coast Road, alongside two significant upgrades to Council’s sewer outfall. Council’s water unit is also planning parallel asset upgrades, requiring close integration between road, stormwater, water, and sewer designs.

CIVIL SITE DESIGN IN PRACTICE

For Hawkins and colleagues behind the water and sewer design, Civil Site Design’s core road, drainage, and pipe design tools have been central to managing these intersecting challenges.

The software sits within the team’s existing Autodesk Civil 3D environment, providing a familiar platform with powerful, purpose-built civil functions.

One early win was in managing and interrogating underground services.

After survey pickup, the team could quickly convert services into 3D strings, compare them to final design levels, and identify potential clashes with proposed stormwater or other infrastructure.

“From an investigation point of view and looking at potential clashes, it’s been very good,” Hawkins said.

Maintaining design consistency across such a long corridor has been another benefit.

Starting from concept long sections and cross sections, the team built the detailed model in parallel with utility planning.

“At the end of the day I had to come up with the final road levels before my

colleague could start designing water and sewer assets,” Hawkins said.

Civil Site Design’s dynamic updating features have streamlined that process, particularly on complex intersections and roundabouts.

Stage one includes two major roundabouts with tight driveway access and heavy vehicle turning requirements. Hawkins used Civil Site Design alongside third-party vehicle tracking software to ensure designs met sight distance and clearance standards for everything from B-doubles to triple road trains.

The team also leveraged Civil Site Design’s design automation and customisation capabilities. Local drafting standards – including template blocks for kerbs and channels – are built into the system, reducing rework and making it easier to produce outputs that are construction-ready.

“It makes tackling that a lot easier,” Hawkins said.

INTEGRATING FLOOD AND DRAINAGE DESIGN

The project’s drainage design may be modest in scope, but it has been shaped by detailed flood modelling made possible by Civil Site Design’s ability to output accurate design surfaces for external analysis.

Those models confirmed the influence of tidal flooding on this inland stretch of road – a factor that has driven design decisions such as bidirectional culverts to manage post-event backflow.

Where possible, Civil Site Design’s pipe and pit design tools have been used to improve local cross-drainage, especially

in pockets where topography and development patterns create ponding.

The sand-based soils help with infiltration, but the software has allowed the team to fine-tune invert levels and layouts to improve resilience without unintended impacts on surrounding properties.

FASTER, SMARTER OUTPUTS

For Hawkins, some of the most tangible gains have come in producing design documentation.

Even with roundabouts – a relative rarity for the team – Civil Site Design’s templates and editing tools made it quicker to generate and adjust kerb returns, super elevations, and intersection geometry.

“Just tweaking a few templates here and there and re-running it, and then cross-checking against the intermittent kerb profile files… we were only up to 15–20 millimetres difference in kerb heights,” he said.

The result is more confidence in the accuracy of the design, and less time spent on manual drafting or correction. For a team working to tight deadlines before handover to a design and construct (D&C) contractor, that reliability matters.

BUILT ON EXPERIENCE, READY FOR THE NEXT GENERATION

Tweed Shire Council has been using Civil Site Design for close to two decades, pairing it with Autodesk Civil 3D since the early days of both platforms.

That long experience has built a comfort level that makes it easier to explore new functions and adopt updated

versions. The design crew makes regular use of Civil Survey Applications’ tutorials and online resources, which Hawkins says have been invaluable for learning new features on the fly.

For councils considering the software, his advice is simple: it’s easy to pick up and run with, even for less experienced designers.

“The way the programs are written now and the graphical interface, it’s a lot more friendly,” he said.

“It does what it says it does. You can safely say it’s giving you very good information and the overall use of it has been very easy. I’m very happy with it.”

SHAPING THE DELIVERY PROGRAM

While stage one’s construction staging is “pretty clear cut”, Civil Site Design has helped in planning temporary transitions where future works will tie in.

In some cases, that means designing a temporary resheet to connect proposed levels back to the existing road, ready for later upgrades. Those efficiencies will help keep traffic moving and reduce rework when the next stage is funded.

As the project progresses, Council’s integrated approach – road, drainage, and utilities designed in one environment –are set to pay dividends. By the time the D&C contractor takes over, the design will be well-resolved, compliant with local standards, and supported by detailed, accurate documentation.

Civil Site Design continues to provide a flexible, precise toolset to make that possible.

To learn more, visit civilsitedesign.com.au

Roundabouts can be modelled quickly and easily, with extraordinary detail. Image: Civil Survey Applications.

Asset Vision wins six councils in four months

Asset Vision is on a roll. Fresh o multiple council wins across Victoria and Western Australia, the company has now signed a landmark fi ve-year contract with Gannawarra, Swan Hill, and Buloke Shire Councils.

The demand for smarter, faster systems to manage council services is only rising.

One platform making inroads is Asset Vision, which has been building momentum with local governments across the country. It is a signal that councils across Australia are demanding smarter, faster, and more flexible asset management solutions. With six partnerships in just four months, Asset Vision is answering that call.

With features developed specifically for council needs, the platform handles the full cycle of asset management, from valuations to AI-driven inspections and capital works oversight. It does this without the patchwork of separate systems many councils still rely on.

“We’re seeing strong demand from councils that want one platform to do it all, and do it well,” says Damian Smith, Co-CEO of Asset Vision.

“We’re built specifically for the challenges councils face, and our growth reflects the trust we’ve earned.”

THE POWER OF ONE PLATFORM

The solution provides: a spatial asset register, valuations, strategic asset management, work management, AI-assisted inspections, reporting and capital works planning in a single cloud hosted platform.

The integrated federally-compliant valuations improve accuracy and compliance; proprietary Autopilot AI technology uses machine learning and image/LiDaR analysis to accelerate inspections; and capital works modules allow projects to be planned, prioritised, and delivered with greater clarity alongside the maintenance work.

For councils, the appeal is less duplication, faster decision-making, and a clear view of assets and budgets in one place.

“Many councils have ended up with three or four software subscriptions to do different jobs. Now they can look at Asset Vision and go ‘actually, we only need one solution, which is consistent and easier to use and the cost of that is less than the others” says Chris Wignall, Head of Sales.

The company’s development cycle is also fast paced.

Updates to the platform and its mobile apps are released every few weeks, shaped by user feedback and sector trends.

“We push updates every few weeks based on user feedback, industry needs, and emerging tech,” says Damian Smith, Co-Founder and Co-CEO.

FASTER ROLLOUTS, RAPID RESULTS

At the City of Greater Dandenong, it took just 10 weeks to deploy the platform. Teams were onboarded quickly, workflows configured, and mobile inspections rolled out almost immediately.

“It’s been a fantastic journey working closely with the Asset Vision team to bring this project to life,” said Team Leader-Works at City of Greater Dandenong Arran Gray.

“From day one we were aligned on our goals of improving visibility, control, and efficiency across our Works maintenance operations. To see it all come together in just 10 weeks is a true credit to the collaboration, dedication, and professionalism on both sides.”

In Moyne Shire, the technology proved valuable in the wake of natural disasters. Using Autopilot+AI and inspection workflows, the council halved the time needed for disaster relief claims.

“Asset Vision helped us streamline our disaster recovery response and secure funding faster,” says Liam Arnott, Manager Operations at Moyne Shire Council.

“It made a real difference to our community.”

PARTNERS IN PLANNING

Asset Vision is also expanding its capabilities through a new partnership

with Modelve, a cloud-based Strategic Asset Management platform widely used in local government for statutory reporting, fair value auditing, and longterm scenario modelling.

The collaboration links Modelve’s advanced valuation and planning engine with Asset Vision’s inspection and capital planning tools. Together, the platforms give councils a true end-to-end asset management solution – from long-range strategic planning through to day-to-day operational delivery. Councils can now forecast more accurately, model different investment scenarios (including climate, demographic, and community impact), and ensure renewal decisions are backed by real-time data.

Asset Vision Co-CEO Lucas Murtagh said the partnership delivers tangible value across sectors:

“We’re thrilled to partner with Modelve, not only for local government but also for utilities, transport, and facilities. This partnership represents the best of breed, practical innovation and depth of expertise Aligning strategic planning with operational delivery creates enormous value for our customers, whether they’re using our full platform or starting with targeted solutions like AutoPilot.”

Damian Smith frames the company’s role as more collaborative than transactional.

“We’re not a vendor, we’re a partner,” he says.

“Our goal is to help councils deliver better services, safer infrastructure, and smarter communities.”

Councils can use software for an end-to-end asset management solution. Image: Asset Vision.

A NEW BENCHMARK FOR RESOURCE RECOVERY.

ResourceCo’s integrated resource recovery sites position us as a leader in landfill diversion.

There’s not much we don’t recycle; from construction, demolition, commercial and industrial waste to soils and tyres – at ResourceCo we’re committed to making sure that waste is never wasted. Where others see waste, we see opportunity.

Public spaces can thrive in any season

Australia’s climate is a study in extremes. In one part of the country, residents may be battling torrential rain, while another faces sweltering heat or frosty mornings.

For councils tasked with creating welcoming outdoor spaces, Australia’s diverse climate presents a unique challenge: how do you design facilities that remain usable and inviting all year round?

For Simon Clayton Product Marketing Manager at Felton Industries, the answer lies in durability, comfort, and smart design.

Felton has built its reputation as a trusted supplier of premium aluminium outdoor furniture, providing solutions that keep communities comfortable in all conditions. But in recent years, the demand from councils has shifted: it’s no longer enough to build for summer crowds. Communities expect safe, accessible, and pleasant facilities regardless of the season.

“The biggest challenge councils face is providing adequate spectator facilities in a safe environment,” Clayton said.

“It’s about ensuring people can view a sporting event comfortably, while also being protected from rain, wind and harsh sun.”

That protection is especially important in southern states.

Melbourne, for instance, is notorious for packing “four seasons in one day”. Clayton said that without proper cover, even the most enthusiastic supporter can be put off.

“A roof over a grandstand not only shelters spectators from the rain but also reduces condensation. It means people don’t arrive to find wet seats. They don’t need to bring a towel – they can just sit down in comfort,” he said.

CLIMATE-SMART DESIGN

Felton has invested heavily in solutions that account for Australia’s diverse climates. From alpine winds to tropical humidity, the company designs structures that meet rigorous safety and performance standards.

“We know Australia has a harsh climate, whether it’s rain, hail or shine,” Clayton said.

“Our shelters are structurally certified, and our grandstands include integrated guardrails to prevent mishaps or falls. In Queensland, where cyclonic conditions are common, we provide wind-rated shelters certified up to Category C. That ensures the product not only looks good but stands the test of time.”

Councils are responding positively, with demand for covered grandstands

Aluminium has benefi ts in cost, strength, durability and more.

and shelters growing as communities expect more from their public spaces.

“We’ve seen more and more councils looking to provide covered solutions,” Clayton said.

“It’s a safer way to manage audiences while also improving the spectator experience.”

LOW MAINTENANCE, HIGH IMPACT

Beyond safety and comfort, councils are acutely aware of maintenance costs. Ratepayers expect value for money, and facilities must be durable enough to withstand decades of use.

This is where Felton’s use of aluminium proves advantageous.

“Low-maintenance aluminium means the product almost takes care of itself,” Clayton said.

“Unlike steel, it won’t corrode, even in coastal areas. It barely needs cleaning – a simple gurney is enough. And with a seven-year warranty, councils know they’re investing in a product that lasts.”

That longevity translates into reduced upkeep costs, freeing up council resources for other priorities.

SUSTAINABILITY AND THE FUTURE OF MATERIALS

Of course, durability is only part of the picture. Sustainability is increasingly front of mind for local governments, and Felton is adapting accordingly.

“We’re reviewing more sustainable aluminium options, including low-carbon varieties,” Clayton said.

“Aluminium is already a recyclable material, which gives it a long life cycle. It can be reused at the end of its life, and because it lasts so long, councils aren’t constantly replacing infrastructure. That reduces environmental impact over time.”

INNOVATION ON THE HORIZON

Looking ahead, Felton is exploring new ways to enhance community facilities with integrated technology. Solar power, in particular, is a key focus.

“There’s a strong push towards solar lighting,” Clayton said.

“We’ve already introduced solar lighting on some products and we’re working on solar-integrated grandstands. That means no cables or electricity supply is needed – it’s renewable energy built directly into the shelter roof. It looks sleek, modern, and adds real value for councils.”

Another innovation on the horizon is advanced roofing technology. Felton is collaborating with suppliers to develop materials that further reduce heat and UV exposure.

“We’re working with a new roofing product that can reflect up to 77 per cent of the Sun’s heat,” Clayton said.

“That means spectators are cooler and more comfortable, which makes a huge difference for year-round use.”

BUILDING COMMUNITIES THROUGH COMFORT

By offering safe, low-maintenance, and sustainable infrastructure, Felton helps councils meet community expectations while managing costs and environmental impact.

Clayton believes this focus on comfort and practicality is what makes the difference.

“It’s not just about high-quality products,” he said.

“It’s about ensuring we provide a safe, enjoyable environment for spectators and the broader community.

“When people feel comfortable outdoors, they’ll come back – in summer, winter, and every season in between.

Image: Felton Industries.

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And our smart NEW cloud datalogging takes Sentinel’s effectiveness to a whole new level.

By enabling detailed event data – heatmaps, video and detections –to be remotely reviewed via the web, supervisors can now assess incidents and quickly implement corrective measures.

Fully retrofittable to excavators, loaders, waste pickup trucks, forklifts and more, Sentinel Vision AI features an industry leading, awardwinning feature spec.

Make your operations even safer. Contact us today at sales@prmeng.com.au or on 07 3711 2779 to find out how.

Mowing matters

For local governments managing recreational facilities and parks, maintaining public green spaces is about more than just appearances – it’s about accountability.

With limited budgets, lean crews, and growing expectations from the public, local governments must prioritise efficiency, reliability, and long-term return on investment in every equipment purchase.

Equipment downtime, uneven mowing, or repeat passes over the same area can quickly drive up labour costs and delay maintenance schedules. Over time, this affects everything from resident satisfaction to field readiness for recreation programs. The right mowing equipment is a critical asset in delivering consistent services with fewer resources.

This is where Hustler Mowers comes in, offering high-performance solutions tailored for the demanding needs of public sector mowing operations. Two standout technologies – the VX4 Deck and the HyperDrive System – help councils maximise productivity while minimising maintenance and downtime.

THE VX4 DECK: BUILT FOR CONSISTENT, CLEAN RESULTS

The VX4 Deck is Hustler’s flagship mowing system, purpose-built for operators who need speed, durability, and a consistently high-quality cut across varied conditions. It combines four key performance features; versatility, velocity, vacuum, and volume.

Vacuum

The VX4 Deck’s engineered vacuum effect lifts each blade of grass upright before cutting, ensuring an even trim from edge to edge. This is especially valuable for maintaining professionalgrade parks, athletic fields, or municipal properties. An adjustable front baffle allows operators to fine-tune airflow to

match turf conditions, delivering optimal results in all seasons.

Velocity

The VX4 Deck supports ground speeds of up to 25 kilometres an hour, enabling teams to cover more ground in less time, without sacrificing cut quality. Its deck shape reduces clogging and buildup, cutting down on cleanout time and keeping crews moving.

Volume

Thanks to a larger airflow tunnel and discharge opening, the VX4 Deck handles a greater volume of clippings with ease. Even distribution eliminates clumping and reduces the need for double-cutting, saving valuable labour hours and improving the overall finish.

Versatility

Hustler’s highperformance solutions are tailored for public sector needs. Images: Stanley Black & Decker.

oil cooler, a 22-centimetre fan with integrated directional shroud, and a hot oil shuttle line – an exclusive feature that actively routes hot oil away from the wheel motors to maintain optimal operating temperatures.

Premium, Industrial-Grade Components

• Danfoss DDC-20 slipper piston pumps for high-pressure performance

• Parker TG high-torque wheel motors with reinforced axles and bearings

• Stainless steel hydraulic lines with leak-resistant SealLok™ fittings

• A large three-gallon (11.36 litre) reservoir with internal filtration and easy drain access

From open fields to tree-dotted boulevards, the VX4 Deck is built to handle it all. Reinforced with sevengauge steel and tested on varied terrain, it withstands hidden obstacles, uneven ground, and the rigours of daily use.

THE HYPERDRIVE SYSTEM: EXTENDED LIFE AND LOWER MAINTENANCE

For fleet managers, reliability and maintenance costs are top concerns. Hustler’s HyperDrive hydraulic system is engineered for long-term durability, with heavy-duty components and advanced cooling features that extend machine life.

Heat Management and Durability

Overheating is a leading cause of hydraulic failure. HyperDrive addresses this with an oversized aluminium

These features work together to reduce maintenance needs, lower the risk of system failure, and extend the usable life of the mower. With a fi ve-year, 3000hour limited warranty, the HyperDrive System is ideal for councils aiming to stretch capital investment.

A smarter investment for public spaces

For local governments managing parks, sporting facilities, and other public areas, Hustler’s VX4 Deck and HyperDrive system offer more than just performance

– they offer a smarter long-term investment. Fewer repairs, faster mowing, and more consistent results help teams stay on schedule, stay under budget, and keep public spaces looking their best.

Hustler guarantees low maintenance needs and long asset life.

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Super Sweep Broom

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Is your sweeper future-proof? Why councils are going regenerative

When it comes to keeping Australia’s streets clean, the humble street sweeper is often overlooked – until something goes wrong.

From dusty kerbsides after a pass to clogged gutters during heavy leaf season, the choice of sweeping technology can make a bigger difference than most residents realise.

For councils, that choice increasingly comes down to one question: should we stick with traditional suction sweepers, or make the shift to regenerative air technology?

KOR, one of Australia’s leading providers of industrial sweeping, hydro excavation and vacuum solutions, has seen a surge in interest from councils and contractors wanting to future-proof their fleets.

One of the best people to explain this surge is Anthony Briggs, Sales and Product Head for Schwarze sweepers – the regenerative air machines KOR supplies nationwide.

Briggs says the environmental case for regenerative air sweepers is compelling.

“Environmentally, they’re sound,” he said.

“Traditional sweepers suck debris into a hopper through a filtration system that’s not foolproof – they still expel some dust back into the atmosphere. Regenerative air sweepers use a closed loop system, so debris goes into the hopper, drops through screens, then air recirculates through the fan without releasing dust.”

Councils are seeing the difference on the ground.

“Residents expect absolute cleanliness after a sweeper has passed, and traditional suction sweepers can leave visible dust,” Briggs said.

“That’s a big advantage for councils.”

BEYOND DUST CONTROL

While cleanliness is a clear win, Briggs points out that the benefits extend into operational efficiency.

“Less noise, higher productivity, fewer moving parts, and less downtime. They’re more efficient base machines,” he said.

A two-metre-wide sweep head allows regenerative air sweepers to pick up more debris in a single pass, including material well beyond the kerb and channel.

That, Briggs said, translates directly into cost and time savings – especially in heavy leaf season when traditional suction sweepers cannot keep pace.

MEETING ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH TARGETS

Dust control is not just about appearances. Briggs notes that silica dust has been a growing health concern, with significant media attention in recent years.

“There’s increasing focus on the benefits around reducing silica dust exposure. We’ve all seen the news about its health impacts. A closed loop system keeps debris and dust contained, reducing exposure,” he said.

This is where KOR sees regenerative air sweepers aligning with broader council sustainability goals. By limiting airborne particulates, they not only keep streets cleaner but also help councils demonstrate proactive risk management for workers and the community.

BUSTING THE BIGGEST MYTH

One of the more stubborn misconceptions about regenerative air sweepers is that they are only suited to light, dry material.

“The big one is that they’re only good for picking up light leaf litter. Some people think they can’t handle heavy-duty work like road profiling, which is completely wrong,” Briggs said.

In reality, the machines’ capabilities often surprise councils.

“Their ability to pick up heavier debris like mud or rocks… they work well across a broad range of applications, where other sweepers are more limited,” he said.

There are some clear mechanical advantages regenerative air sweepers have over their suction counterparts.

“They have fewer moving parts, so less can go wrong. They’re easier to service and repair, and that means less downtime,” Briggs said.

That translates into better fleet availability and lower lifecycle costs – two factors that weigh heavily in procurement decisions.

WHERE THEY SHINE

While regenerative air sweepers are versatile enough for most environments, Briggs said there are scenarios where they really come into their own.

“Areas with heavy leaf fall, like Hawthorn and Toorak in Victoria. A regenerative air sweeper can do roughly twice the work of a suction sweeper in one pass, creating efficiencies and covering more distance in less time,” he said.

That combination of high debris capacity, speed and consistent cleanliness makes them a strong fit for both dense urban areas and large industrial sites.

KOR’S ROLE IN BRIDGING THE GAP

For KOR, the challenge and the opportunity lies in bridging the education gap that Briggs describes. The company has been supplying Schwarze regenerative air sweepers across Australia, working with councils to demonstrate their performance in real-world conditions.

Through training, demonstrations and ongoing technical support, KOR positions regenerative air technology not as a niche product, but as a proven, adaptable and future-ready option for municipal and contractor fleets.

As infrastructure demands grow and sustainability pressures mount, that positioning is becoming harder for procurement teams to ignore.

Sweeper choice matters now more than ever.

When we look at the big picture of the energy landscape, it’s easy to see that gas isn’t just a transition fuel, it’s in transition itself.

Thousands of manufacturers around Australia rely on gas for their round-the-clock operations. Developing a renewable gas sector could help to provide additional sustainable energy solutions for industries and hard to abate businesses into the future.

Renewable gases, like biomethane and renewable hydrogen, are being demonstrated and developed around the country and already being used successfully overseas, in places like Europe, UK and USA.

Multiple energy solutions complementing each other, helping to achieve lower emissions efficiently and effectively. The energy transition is a task too big, too important,to put all our eggs in one basket.

If we look at the big picture we can find big opportunities, more options, more solutions, more ways to support the energy transition.

Keeping roads clean, safe and compliant

Local governments spend a significant portion of their resources on road maintenance.

With costs continuing to rise across the sector, councils need to make sure their crews are utilising equipment that is built to last and gets the job done quickly and effectively.

Quality Fabrication & Engineering (QFEAUS) has emerged as a leader in innovative, durable equipment that keeps road and roadside construction sites running smoothly.

With over three decades of engineering expertise, the company has perfected the towable self-powered road sweepers and water carts that have set the industry standard for performance and reliability.

IN FOR THE LONG HAUL

QFEAUS General Manager, Glenn Hardiman, said that QFEAUS’s sweepers are far more than basic cleaning tools – they’re precision-engineered maintenance solutions that have been trusted by major road construction companies for over 22 years.

“We built them to last,” Hardiman said.

“Our first two sweepers – which we sold in December 2003 – are still operating today, which speaks volumes about their durability.”

A standout feature of these sweepers is their unique side-shift capability.

The design allows the broom core to move left or right from the centre, enabling operators to clean close to road shoulders, rails and difficult-to-reach areas without risking damage to the towing vehicle.

This innovation ensures comprehensive road cleaning while maintaining maximum safety.

The sweepers play a critical role in road maintenance, removing debris, mud, and dirt from highways and construction sites.

“They’re essential for keeping roads clean and safe, especially in new development areas where construction and heavy truck traffic can quickly create hazardous conditions,” Hardiman said.

MAKING A SPLASH

QFEAUS’s water carts represent another breakthrough in road maintenance technology. Having built over 200 chassis-mounted water carts since 2005, the company has refined its approach to meet the most demanding industry requirements through a distribution partnership with the TTi Storm™ watertank.

These sophisticated dust suppression systems are critical to worker safety and equipment longevity.

“Dust suppression is a very big issue,” Hardiman said.

“It helps on site with visibility, it protects workers’ health, and it also prevents dust from getting into other machinery and cause long-term damage, so it has a knock-on effect with the lifespan of equipment.”

Councils, Hardiman said, have an obligation to ensure their sites deploy proper dust suppression, particularly those near high pedestrian traffic areas.

“Most road construction sites and building sites actually stipulate that you must have dust suppression on site.”

QFEAUS’ TTi Storm™ water carts come with impressive flexibility, offering tank sizes ranging from 8000 to 18,000 litres and multiple spray options. Customers can choose from gravity bars, pressure bars, high-pressure sprays, and remotely operated water cannons that can suppress dust in a 360-degree radius.

STANDARDS-DRIVEN PERFORMANCE

QFEAUS doesn’t just build equipment – they create products that meet the highest national standards. All their products comply with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) requirements, undergoing rigorous engineering certification and stress evaluations.

“You can’t just build something in your garage and expect to get it registered,” Hardiman said.

“Our units are engineered to meet all current regulations across Australian territories.”

One of QFEAUS’ most significant advantages is its rapid turnaround time. Recently, they supplied two fully optioned water carts to a Queensland company within just six weeks.

“They couldn’t find water carts anywhere else in Australia,” Hardiman said.

“We not only met their urgent needs but exceeded their expectations.”

Understanding the specific needs of local governments, QFEAUS offers fleet discounts and designs products specifically for council requirements. Its water carts and sweepers are ideal for road maintenance, dust suppression, and ensuring public safety.

A COMMITMENT TO QUALITY

With a manufacturing lead time of 10-12 weeks and everything fabricated in-house, QFEAUS demonstrates a commitment to quality, with products are built to withstand Australia’s toughest conditions.

“Although building equipment that lasts too long might seem counterintuitive for sales, our reputation is what truly drives our business,” Hardiman said.

For teams seeking gear that’s tough, compliant and council-ready, QFEAUS offers solutions that go above and beyond standard expectations – a testament to Australian engineering excellence.

QFEAUS water carts come in a variety of capacities and spray options. Image: QFEAUS.

Powerful pump partnership

Southern Pumping, a pump supply and service specialist with over 50 years’ experience, has solidified its position by partnering with Franklin Electric’s Orbit Pumps to distribute the innovative VIGA range.

Southern Pumping Director

Michael Wallace notes that a new partnership with Franklin Electric is built on 35 years of prior product experience. It also marks a strategic move into the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) market.

“We’re putting together packages utilising various different types of equipment to create complete turnkey products,” Wallace said.

The star of this collaboration is the VIGA range, a revolutionary pump design that promises significant efficiency improvements.

“It’s a more efficient pump with a smaller footprint,” Wallace said.

“It can achieve more flow with less power.”

INTRODUCING VIGA

The new VIGA Range redefines progressive cavity pumps, with a focus on space-constrained sites, challenging fluids, and applications that demand long service life and minimal maintenance.

Key features include up to 60 per cent more flow per revolution enabled by extended pitch rotor design. Lower starting torque enables the use of smaller motors, reducing power costs with smaller startup power and smaller kilowatt (kW) motor requirements.

The VIGA range possesses the shortest footprint in the market – ideal for skid systems and space-limited pump rooms. It also includes a standard mechanical seal and sealed universal coupling rod boot for enhanced leak prevention.

Pre-assembled rotating assembly allows for quick-change maintenance, reducing downtime dramatically. A conical stator intake improves net positive suction head (NPSH) and wear resistance while a wider stator inlet delivers better handling of viscous and solid-laden fluids.

“VIGA is compact, tough and designed for real-world conditions,” Wallace said.

“Its low power requirement and quick-swap rotating assemblies mean it’s not just easier to run – it’s easier to keep running.”

Wallace said municipal organisations will find the VIGA range is particularly well-suited for wastewater processing, capable of efficiently transferring slurries and handling abrasive mediums with high-head pumping limits.

BRINGING PUMP INNOVATION NATION-WIDE

Southern Pumping is the national representative for the VIGA range, leveraging its extensive service network across the country. The company’s

existing infrastructure, which already supports daily product shipping and comprehensive service capabilities, makes it an ideal distribution partner.

“We’re excited about this partnership,” Wallace said.

“The global representatives are keen to have the product represented by an experienced local team, and the timing of this product release is perfect.”

The partnership underscores Southern Pumping’s focus on innovation and meeting evolving industrial needs. By enabling the entry of the VIGA range to the market, the company demonstrates its ability to adapt and provide cutting-edge solutions to clients across various sectors.

For local governments and industrial clients, this partnership promises more efficient, reliable, and technologically advanced pumping solutions. The VIGA range’s ability to deliver higher performance with a smaller footprint represents a significant advancement in pump technology.

The VIGA range is more than just a new product – it’s a testament to the ongoing evolution of industrial engineering and Southern Pumping’s commitment to providing top-tier pumping solutions.

To learn more, visit southernpumping.com.au

Orbit pumps are known to be unbreakable. Even older units in heavy industrial settings are still in service today. Image: Southern Pumping.

A green revolution inspiring Australian landscaping

The Eden Project is a groundbreaking landscaping initiative that is inspiring Australian council landscapers with its ingenuity and sustainable initiatives, having transformed a disused clay pit into a thriving ecological wonderland.

Located in Cornwall, UK, the Eden Project’s journey began in the mid1990s when visionary Tim Smit saw potential in an exhausted clay pit. The project persevered despite initial challenges, including torrential rains and complex drainage issues. Today, it is a beacon of sustainable landscaping, showcasing innovative practices that Australian contractors can adopt.

ARCHITECTURAL MARVELS

The Eden Project’s iconic biomes, constructed with a hex-tri-hex tubular steel frame and covered with a lightweight thermoplastic, demonstrate how cutting-edge materials can create stunning, sustainable structures. This approach to design, which maximises strength and surface area while minimising environmental impact, could revolutionise landscaping projects across Australia. By combining innovative architecture with carefully curated plant collections, similar projects could create educational attractions that celebrate biodiversity and promote environmental stewardship that could inspire transformed landscaping projects across Australia.

EMBRACING GREEN TECHNOLOGY

The Eden Project’s commitment to sustainability extended to its day-to-day operations, which now offers valuable insights for Australian landscape contractors.

By partnering with companies like Volvo Construction Equipment, the Eden Project has transitioned to electric landscaping machinery, significantly reducing emissions and noise pollution. This shift benefits the environment and improves worker comfort and efficiency.

The collaboration brought zero-emission electric excavators and wheel loaders to the Eden Project, demonstrating the viability of electric heavy equipment in landscaping applications.

The partnership supports Eden’s broader commitment to sustainability, including its ambitious goal of achieving climate positivity by 2030. The project is taking concrete steps towards reducing its emissions by integrating electric machinery.

The electric machines from Volvo CE contribute to environmental sustainability and improve operational efficiency. This aligns with Eden’s approach to integrating technology for conservation and practical landscaping needs.

Using electric machinery is a practical demonstration for visitors and students, showcasing the potential of sustainable technologies in real-world applications. These machineries supported Eden’s mission of environmental education and inspiring action towards sustainability.

BENEFITS OF ELECTRIC MACHINERY

During a three-month project, the use of Volvo CE’s electric machines saved just under three tonnes of CO2 emissions.

This showcases electromobility’s tangible impact on reducing the carbon footprint of landscaping operations.

Using electric machinery, the Eden Project has eliminated direct emissions from construction equipment at the point of use, contributing to improved air quality within the project area.

Electric machines operate much more quietly than diesel-powered equipment, which contributes to a better environment for visitors and wildlife

at the Eden Project, as well as for the surrounding community.

Additionally, this significant reduction in noise and vibration levels can greatly enhance operator comfort, reducing fatigue and stress over long working hours.

With zero direct emissions, electric machines eliminate the exhaust fumes associated with diesel engines. This results in better air quality around the machine, reducing health concerns for operators, staff and visitors.

The successful implementation of Volvo CE’s electric equipment demonstrates the potential of electromobility to revolutionise the landscaping sector, inspiring wider adoption of such technologies.

INSPIRING AUSTRALIAN LANDSCAPING

As Australia faces environmental challenges, the Eden Project is an inspiring model for sustainable landscaping practices.

By adopting similar approaches, councils can:

• Embrace renewable energy and electric machinery to reduce carbon footprint.

• Implement water-efficient landscaping techniques to conserve water in Australia’s often drought-prone climate

• Utilise native plants to create biodiverse, low-maintenance landscapes

• Incorporate educational elements in landscaping projects to raise environmental awareness

The Eden Project’s success demonstrates that with vision, innovation, and commitment to sustainability, even the most challenging sites can be transformed into thriving ecological havens.

As council landscapers look to the future, the lessons from Eden offer a roadmap for creating landscapes that are not only beautiful but also environmentally responsible and community oriented. By adopting these principles, local governments will be playing a crucial role in fostering our country’s greener, more sustainable future.

Aerial view of the Eden Project’s iconic biomes, built in a reclaimed clay pit. Image: Sean/stock.adobe.com

“In an industry where project overruns are commonplace and practices have remained largely unchanged since the middle of last century, Octant AI’s predictive capability is revolutionary.” Bent Flyvbjerg, Saïd Business School, Oxford University

Tackling heavy machinery risks with smart safety tech

Vehicle and machinery-related incidents are the leading cause of workplace fatalities – often due to pedestrians or workers entering high-risk zones. Twelve per cent of Australia’s workplace fatalities in 2023 were due to being hit by moving objects. This mostly involved workers on foot being hit by vehicles, as well as impacts by other moving equipment or objects. That translates to over 24 lives lost in a single year, according to Safe Work Australia.

For many councils and contractors, even non-fatal incidents – like near misses or machinery faults – can lead to serious injury, service disruption or legal exposure.

With over 139,000 serious injury claims lodged nationally in 2022-23 and waste services, construction, and road maintenance ranking among the most hazardous council operations,

Heavy machinery can pose significant risks to both operators and bystanders. For councils managing roadworks, waste collection, and civil construction, staying ahead with the latest safety technology is essential.

local governments are under increasing pressure to strengthen safety outcomes. Yet, many traditional safety protocols are passive, manual, and reactive – making it hard to detect and prevent hazards before they escalate.

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

The most effective way to reduce incidents from moving vehicles is to separate the workers from the machinery. This is often done with exclusion zones, barriers and other markings.

But often these measures aren’t enough. Complacency and a lack of safety culture on the worksite can see workers ignore barriers or warning markings, which inevitably leads to incidents.

To address these persistent challenges, PRM Engineering has developed Sentinel Vision AI, a next-generation safety platform designed to modernise how

councils and contractors manage risk on-site.

Built around artificial intelligence and cloud data logging, Sentinel Vision AI equips machinery – like excavators, compactors, and waste trucks – with smart cameras capable of detecting people in hazardous zones. These detections can be triggered only when the machine is in reverse, or in specific machine configurations. This allows coworkers to work around the machine when safe; and provides immediate indication when unsafe.

These immediate alarms save critical seconds for the pedestrian and machine operator to react. These detections are automatically logged, analysed, and surfaced in user-friendly dashboards that give safety managers a clear picture of on-site risks.

Unlike static safety controls such as cones or fences, Sentinel Vision AI

Sentinal Vision AI’s smart cameras can detect potential safety hazards before they become harmful accidents. Images: PRM Engineering.

provides live feedback. Site managers can quickly see whether recent safety changes are having an effect – such as reductions in pedestrian detections after a new traffic pattern is introduced. These insights let decision-makers refine safety processes using hard evidence, not guesswork.

DRIVING BEHAVIOUR AND PROCESS CHANGE

The real strength of Sentinel Vision AI lies in its ability to shape behaviour, both for machinery operators and surrounding workers. Not only does the device act as an alert system to protect workers on site, it encourages proactive changes in worksite habits by logging incidents and making safety data visible and actionable.

It enables safety teams to go beyond the ‘what happened’ and explore the ‘why’. Why are staff moving into truck operating zones? Why do most detections happen between 8 and 10am? Which machines are involved in the most incidents?

These insights empower councils to target the root causes of unsafe behaviour – not just the symptoms.

Visual representations of detections, trends, and machine activity also make the technology more intuitive for site personnel. It’s more than numbers on a screen – it’s a live picture of how the site operates and where safety can be improved.

With Sentinel Vision AI cloud capabilities, councils can monitor incident trends across their entire fleet, compare safety performance across different machinery types (e.g. excavators, loaders and trucks), identify dangerous zones with digital heat maps, and analyse time-based patterns to predict high-risk periods.

Sentinel Cloud also records system health checks, operator pre-starts and machine runtime data, allowing maintenance teams to detect faults early and optimise equipment usage. By verifying what’s happening in real time, safety managers can answer key questions like:

•What just happened on site?

•How many near misses have there been?

•Are they concentrated in specific zones or times?

•What process or training needs to change?

This level of clarity supports smarter safety decisions and long-term risk reduction across all council operations.

Sentinel Vision AI has already seen success in a wide range of environments, from roadworks and landfill sites to municipal maintenance yards. Its modular design and local engineering support mean it can be

fitted to different vehicles and adapted for various departments, allowing councils to expand coverage without replacing existing equipment.

LOOKING AHEAD TO A SAFER FUTURE

As more councils adopt AI-powered safety tools, PRM Engineering’s Sentinel Vision AI stands out for its focus on actionable, real-world outcomes. It’s already reshaping how local governments think about worksite risk – not just in preventing

incidents, but in building a culture of continuous improvement.

By combining intelligent detection, on machine alarming, automated logging, and cloud-based oversight, Sentinel Vision AI becomes more than a safety system – it’s a strategic tool for councils aiming to protect their people, streamline operations, and cut risk.

To find out more, email sales@prmeng.com.au or visit prmeng.com.au

Above: Datalogging enables managers to determine how often incidents occur, when, where and, ultimately, why.

Transforming fleet management with telematics

Local government fleets often represent one of the largest capital investments within an organisation, encompassing a wide range of assets from specialised yellow plant to heavy commercial vehicles. However, without e ective utilisation and performance monitoring, these assets can quickly become a financial burden.

Underutilised vehicles and equipment not only tie up valuable capital but also drive inflated operational costs through unnecessary maintenance, storage and administrative overheads – placing significant strain on budgets and service delivery.

With modern fleet tracking, local governments across Australia are uncovering inefficiencies once hidden in plain sight – unlocking cost savings, improving safety and delivering measurable environmental benefits.

As an authorised Geotab reseller and trusted Australian service provider, Geosecure delivers these benefits using the world’s most scalable telematics platform – tailored specifically for councils and government fleets.

Telematics for local government has evolved well beyond GPS. By capturing second-by-second data on idle time, harsh braking, route detours and emissions, councils gain instant insight into how their fleet operates – and how it could operate better.

UNDERSTANDING COUNCIL FLEET CHALLENGES

Travis Weir, ex-Fleet Manager and now National Fleet Consultant at Geosecure, works closely with local governments across Australia and sees the unique pressures they face.

“These fleets are the backbone of essential community services – from waste collection and parks maintenance to public works – but they must operate within strict budget, compliance and environmental frameworks,” Weir said.

“In my time as a Fleet Manager, I saw how quickly costs escalate when assets are not used to their full potential, or when compliance reporting becomes reactive instead of proactive. The breakthrough comes when councils have accurate, real-time data – that is when they can plan ahead, cut waste and make decisions that improve service delivery.”

Many councils struggle with inefficient asset utilisation – a mower might sit idle for weeks while another department hires equipment. Rising fuel, maintenance and insurance costs add pressure to tight budgets.

Disconnected systems mean staff spend hours compiling reports for audits instead of acting on insights. Sustainability targets add urgency – councils must cut emissions while balancing operational needs, electric vehicle (EV) readiness and budgets. Without accurate utilisation and lifecycle data, assets may be replaced too soon or run far beyond optimal service life.

Geosecure helps councils address these inefficiencies, improve utilisation, enhance safety and compliance and support sustainable, costeffective operations.

SAFETY, COMPLIANCE AND SUSTAINABILITY IN ONE

Safety is a major driver for adoption. With driver fatigue monitoring, IVMS for councils and in-vehicle alerts for speeding or seatbelt use, risky behaviours can be addressed before they lead to incidents. AI-enabled dash cams add another layer – capturing near-miss events and providing coaching opportunities that prevent accidents and protect staff.

Sustainability is equally important. With net zero deadlines approaching, telematics provides data on carbon dioxide per trip, idle time reduction, route optimisation and fleet emissions tracking – all feeding into climate action reporting. Councils can track progress and make data-driven decisions that meet environmental commitments and improve efficiency.

DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR THE FUTURE

Cloud-based platforms now provide a central portal for compliance reporting, maintenance schedules, fuel tax credit tracking and asset histories – cutting paper-based admin and freeing staff to focus on community services.

Telematics also plays a vital role in the EV transition. By analysing vehicle usage patterns and total cost of ownership, councils can identify which assets are EV-ready, then monitor charging, range and carbon savings post-deployment. For states like Victoria, ACT and WA, where fleet decarbonisation targets stretch to 2030 and beyond, these insights turn plans into proven business cases.

WHY GEOSECURE?

Geosecure understands the unique needs of local government. With Australian-based support, seamless integration with platforms like Geotab, certified compliance and scalability across mixed-asset fleets – from utes and trucks to mowers and trailers –Geosecure makes smarter, safer, greener operations possible without complexity or risk.

Whether you are just starting your fleet tracking journey or ready to expand into deeper safety and sustainability outcomes, a data-driven approach can transform operations – and reveal opportunities you may never have known existed. To find out more, visit geosecure.com.au

We’re Creating the Future of Water for climate, communities and our kids

FOGO could be the way to go-go

By Jemena Managing Director, David Gillespie

We all know the mild anxiety of being woken up by the council garbage truck rolling down our street and the dawning realisation that we forgot to put the bin out.

For most, much past the bleary-eyed dash to put the bin on the kerb, we don’t give much thought to where the rubbish goes once it’s lifted into the back of the garbage truck.

But for local councils that are metropolitan, interface or regional; waste, particularly the management of household waste, is one of the largest challenges they face.

In Australia, approximately 7.6 million tonnes of food waste is generated each year, with 2.6 million tonnes coming directly from households.

That’s a lot of waste.

To avoid this waste going directly into landfill, councils now provide a FOGO bin, which stands for Food Organics and Garden Organics, and as the name suggests FOGO bins are used to collect both food scraps and garden waste. This waste is usually recycled into compost.

But what if there was another option? Where our food waste could create local jobs, support local manufacturing, and create an energy source which contributes towards lower carbonemissions across the economy.

Enter Biomethane.

Biomethane is a renewable gas created by processing biogas which is generated from decomposing organic matter like food, agricultural waste, or even human waste.

When this organic matter decomposes it creates biogas, and through a process called anaerobic digestion, it can be upgraded to biomethane – a renewable gas used widely overseas but notably scarce in the Australian energy mix.

Biomethane is completely compatible with all existing gas network infrastructure, gas appliances used in homes and businesses today, and in industrial manufacturing processes.

The emergence of renewable gases like biomethane is a win-win for landfill operators and manufacturers, providing greater opportunities for both to efficiently reduce their emissions. This is particularly important for many manufacturers and large energy users whose operations rely on the high-heat only gas can produce. These manufacturers produce everyday products like steel, bricks, fertiliser, glass and food products, and through their production processes employ thousands of people across the country.

While biomethane may not currently be a staple of the Australian energy mix, this renewable energy source is not a pipe dream. It is already flowing through the New South Wales gas distribution network, with wastewater at Sydney Water’s Wastewater Resource

Recovery Plant being converted into biomethane and injected into the gas distribution network. This project is the first project in Australia to receive GreenPower certification, accrediting the biomethane as a low emission renewable energy source.

This is just the beginning. Jemena is working closely with industry to develop Australia’s biomethane sector, with businesses right across NSW producing the building blocks (the raw ingredients) needed to produce biomethane as a by-product of their operations.

These businesses are often located in regional and rural council areas meaning Australia’s biomethane sector could spur local economies and drive regional jobs growth. In fact, Australia’s Bioenergy Roadmap, produced by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), found Australia’s biomethane sector could contribute to around $10 billion in extra GDP per annum, reduce emissions by about nine per cent, and create over 26,000 new jobs.

The potential here is huge. So, if we want to avoid missing out on Australia’s biomethane opportunity (the FOMO, if you like) then perhaps it’s time we rethink just how we’re using our FOGO waste.

Luigi Bertello Photo/stock.adobe.com

Food scraps are an underused source of renewable energy.

Biomethane has a big contribution to make.

Interflow Sustainability Framework: Engineering a generational legacy

Interflow’s new Sustainability Framework is everybody’s business, says Sustainability and Environment Manager, Pam Johnson. It’s about leaving a better legacy for future generations.

When Pam joined Interflow, she recognised that some good foundations had already been established to drive meaningful and positive sustainability outcomes. What the organisation now required was structure, clarity and momentum. That’s what the Sustainability Framework delivers, she said.

Sometimes, sustainability is mistakenly reduced to just environmental management, particularly in operational or project-based industries. Instead, Interflow’s latest Sustainability Framework deliberately connects environmental protection, social considerations, governance, ethical practices and economic sustainability together and brings Interflow’s purpose to life, that is ‘to improve the lives of the people we work with, the communities we serve and the environments we work in, for generations to come.’

The broad focus of the framework is on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that will help improve global outcomes, such as responsible consumption and production, climate action, and clean water and sanitation. Pam and her team are working to translate its pieces into personal,

that underpins everything, ensuring every agreed idea is translated into actions and outcomes.

INTERFLOW’S KEY AREAS OF SUSTAINABILITY FOCUS

The new Sustainability Framework identifies three pillars: environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and governance.

From the environmental angle, this means a commitment to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.

Less than 20 per cent of the company’s emissions come from operations, with over 80 per cent coming from Interflow’s supply chain. The framework will help to influence and guide action within the supply chain and with business partners.

“There is going to be an increased focus on supplier prequalification and engagement,” Pam said.

“We want to be working with suppliers that share our sustainability values. It’s not necessarily going to be one-size-fitsall, but for us to achieve our goals, we’re going to need to bring our suppliers along with us.”

In terms of social responsibility, there is a strong focus on health and wellbeing amongst Interflow’s people and communities, as well as diversity and inclusion.

From the governance side, the framework describes a robust structure

The framework is driven by the Interflow leadership team, who are responsible for oversight and integration into the business’s strategy and decision-making processes. Pam then leads execution, working with regional managers, team leaders and business partners to ensure implementation at all levels.

Transparent reporting is a key focus, Pam says.

“We need to measure and document what we’re doing and what we’re achieving, so we can continually improve.”

JOIN THE JOURNEY

“Sustainability isn’t the responsibility of one person or one team, it needs to be woven into the work of so many within the business – from site crews to executives – and outside the business, including our suppliers and customers,” Pam said.

“That’s why Interflow’s message is clear, that this is a journey we take together.

“As the framework says, as a business and as partners, we can drive meaningful change, create shared value and improve lives for generations to come.”

relatable outcomes for all members of the Interflow family.

Interflow’s Sustainability Framework is about more than environmental management; it’s about ethical practices and good governance. Images: Interflow.

Clear plans are needed to guide positive change along supply chains.

How to drive Australia’s EV shift

Electric vehicles may be the future of transport, but local governments are laying the groundwork – one charger at a time.

Across the country, councils are shifting their fleets, upgrading infrastructure, and making electric vehicle (EV) charging more accessible for residents and visitors.

Helping many of them get there is Chargefox, the Australian EV platform quietly powering the largest charging network in the country.

“We typically see councils start small – maybe a couple of chargers at a depot or community site,” said Ed Asuncion, Executive General Manager at Chargefox.

“Then they grow, with public infrastructure, fleet conversions and better data systems. We support them from first steps through to full rollout.”

DIFFERENT DRIVERS, ONE PLATFORM

Council motivations are as varied as their communities. Some want to reduce emissions by electrifying their light vehicle fleets. Others aim to support residents without off-street parking. Some see EV infrastructure as a way to boost visitation and local economic activity.

Chargefox’s role is to help councils implement solutions that suit their priorities – whether managing chargers at a works depot, or activating public charging in high-traffic town centres.

“Some councils start by trialling AC [alternating current] chargers with free sessions. Others, if they’ve secured grant funding, jump straight into DC [direct current] fast charging,” Asuncion said.

“It’s often a mix of fleet needs, community demand, and funding available.”

Whatever the entry point, Chargefox brings a full offering: support with site planning, installer partnerships, smart software for usage and billing, and integration with driver apps like Google Maps.

HOW IT WORKS

The service is highly dynamic. Unlike traditional energy providers or infrastructure builders, Chargefox does not own any charging hardware.

Instead, it acts as a platform that connects charger owners – like councils – with EV drivers, offering a suite of services that ensures reliability, security and visibility.

“I often use Airbnb as an analogy,” said Asuncion.

“They don’t own the houses, but they provide the connection, the tools and the trust. That’s what we do for EV charging.”

That includes customer billing, secure access management, live availability data, and real-time performance monitoring.

The platform now supports more than 280,000 registered users and has handled over five million charging sessions across Australia.

“We work with organisations all over the country to create Australia’s biggest charging network. From shopping centres, supermarkets and retail precincts, to service stations, sporting grounds, tourist destinations, and even breweries and wineries,” Asuncion said.

“There are over 5000 EV charging plugs currently on Chargefox, about half of which are available to everyone via the app. The other half are private chargers used by fleet and commercial vehicles.

“It’s all about making sure chargers are used and drivers can find them. For councils, the benefit is greater utilisation and a better return on their investment.”

TAILORED FOR LOCAL NEEDS

One of Chargefox’s key strengths is adaptability. Councils can configure their chargers to be public, private, or a mix of both.

They can choose to set pricing or offer charging free-of-charge. They can also integrate charging into broader fleet management systems.

“Every council is different,” said Asuncion.

“A tourist-heavy metro council might focus on short-stay public chargers in hightraffic locations. A regional council might prioritise depots and overnight charging for a large fleet. We work with both.”

In some cases, Chargefox helps councils implement hybrid models – such as fleet-only access during business hours and public access after hours. That flexibility can maximise value without compromising operational needs.

TECHNOLOGY THAT MOVES WITH THE MARKET

With EV hardware, vehicle types, and user expectations evolving quickly, Chargefox has built its service around staying ahead of the curve.

“Innovation and agility are part of our DNA,” said Asuncion.

“Our team is made up of EV drivers and tech specialists who understand the sector from the inside. That gives us the ability to anticipate change and trial new solutions in real time.

“We’re also part of the Australian Motoring Services Group and fully owned by the motoring clubs of Australia, including NRMA and RACV, so we have a really strong foundation and heritage.”

The company has implemented an integrated support process with hardware partners to reduce downtime and boost performance. It is also investing in system upgrades to support smart load management as more councils add vehicles and chargers to constrained local grids.

COUNCILS ARE CRITICAL

While EVs are often framed as a national or state-level issue, Asuncion said local government has a unique role to play.

“Councils are on the frontline,” he said.

“They manage the land, the streets, the fleets, and the relationship with the community. They’re the ones who can deliver the infrastructure where it’s needed most.”

Whatever the stage they are at in their transition, Asuncion said councils have a growing sense of momentum.

“Whether a council has five vehicles or five thousand, we help them unlock the benefits – cost savings, cleaner air, more resilient communities,” he said.

“The EV future isn’t just coming. Councils are already building it.”

Above: Drivers can access a huge range of public chargers.

Supporting sustainable council practices

Councils across Australia are under growing pressure to reduce their environmental impact and build more sustainably. Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are emerging as a powerful tool to support better, data-led decisions.

An environmental product declaration (EPD), which ResourceCo has for 26 of its recycled aggregate, sand and concrete products, is more than a technical document – it’s an independently verified summary of a product’s environmental impact. As Mitchell Bacon, ResourceCo Environmental Development Manager, explains, it details the full lifecycle from material intake to sale. This means councils can access precise, verified data about the environmental consequences of their projects and services.

Scope three emissions – the indirect emissions tied to a council’s value chain –are particularly complex to measure.

“Scope three emissions are an absolute minefield and very difficult to calculate,” Bacon said.

For councils, understanding these emissions is crucial, as they encompass everything from purchased materials to community project impacts.

TURNING DATA INTO ACTION Councils are under pressure to prove their sustainability credentials.

EPDs offer a practical way to track and reduce environmental impacts across infrastructure planning and procurement. By using products with verified environmental declarations, councils can make more informed decisions that align with their sustainability goals.

While not mandatory, EPDs offer clear value for councils looking to lead on sustainability.

“They provide a way to move beyond assumptions and guesswork, offering real data that can be directly plugged into sustainability models and reporting frameworks,” Bacon said.

“The future of sustainable infrastructure lies in transparency, verification, and precise environmental accounting. EPDs represent a critical step in this journey, giving councils the tools they need to make informed, environmentally responsible decisions.

“For a roadway project for example, you want to be able to choose materials that are recycled, because they reduce the reliance on virgin materials and can reduce the environmental impact of the project.”

This allows councils to select products that directly support their sustainability objectives.

EPDs go beyond carbon emissions, offering a full picture of environmental impact – from water and land use to resource depletion. For recycled materials, this level of transparency is especially valuable.

More councils are now developing materials calculators that integrate EPD data – enabling precise environmental tracking. As Bacon notes, this creates “a chain of custody or chain of verification”

Environmental Product Declarations are helping councils to track emissions and support sustainable procurement. Images: ResourceCo.

that makes environmental reporting more transparent and reliable.

INDEPENDENTLY VERIFIED

Unlike self-declared claims, EPDs are independently verified by international experts.

“All the environmental factors get assessed by an independent verification process, ensuring that the data councils rely on is both accurate and credible,” Bacon said. Through its EPDs, ResourceCo is helping councils go beyond compliance – making environmental data more accessible, meaningful and actionable.

The declarations are much more than just documents.

For councils committed to reducing their environmental impact, EPDs are no longer just a nice-to-have – they’re becoming an essential tool for responsible infrastructure development and environmental stewardship.

To learn more about how ResourceCo can help your council reach its sustainability goals, visit resourceco.com.au.

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