MEMBERS UPDATE

Welcome to the August 2023 IAQ Members Update.

 

In this Update:

1. Deputy Chair Update
2. From the CEO
3. Taskforce Updates
4. Working Group Updates
5. Exclusive stories for our members:

• • Q&A: Social Housing with Mark Cridland
  • The Socioeconomic Benefits of Social Housing: A Catalyst for Progress
  • Report Update: ShapingSEQ
  • Nature Related Financial Disclosure
  • Nature is the new net zero: Why your business should value nature in decision-making
  • A Brief Introduction to the Intergenerational Report

As the always hectic final quarter of the Calendar year looms, the industry adjusts its forward pipeline, maintaining a constant state of readiness as projects are expected to come to market soon. However, we are conscious that things change and must be ready to pivot.

READ MORE

I would like to also acknowledge the work we have been doing with Queensland Hydro, and the collaboration and opportunity provided to us by Paul Martyn, Director General of the Department of Energy and Public Works, and Kieran Cusack, CEO of QLD Hydro. Following on from the IAQ Industry Breakfast with Hydro as the key theme, we are pleased to announce the Opportunity for Energy Transformation Event, to be held on 6 October in Mackay, with both Paul and Kieran as keynotes as a joint venture with Steven Boxall and the team from the Resources Centre of Excellence. See here for more information.   

 

In our run-up to the final quarter of 2023, rest assured the IAQ momentum continues, with a flurry of activity around our 20 October IAQ Infrastructure Assembly, the Roads and Rail Breakfast and end-of-year events for IAQ Connect, EPIQ, and our wider membership. Click here to see the IAQ events calendar.

 

As always, my role is driven by our commitment to the five pillars of IAQ.

1. Provide Leadership and Advocacy
2. Run Taskforces and Working Groups
3. Deliver Events
4. Service and Communicate
5. Govern the Association

1. Leadership & Advocacy

Totem Launch

 

13 July was one of the most important and inspirational dates in the history of IAQ. Artist, infrastructure professional, and most importantly, proud Mayi and Kalkadoon woman, Leah Cummins, unveiled the totem artwork that she illustrated for the Association, to our members.

Titled 'A Connected Future', the artwork will be used and celebrated in all of IAQ's correspondences, so every individual, institution and business we communicate with understands our commitment to First Nations Australians and Closing the Gap.

The launch was hugely successful, and we look forward to sharing the piece with you, our members, in your places of work.

 

A quick thank you to Marie Gales, Adrienne Steward and Jacobs for hosting this special event.

2. Run Taskforces and Committees

Our taskforce reports are available in this newsletter below. I would like to thank the Chairs and Vice Chairs for their tireless efforts in delivering talent to their events, meetings and planning. The Taskforces and Working Groups for 2023 are as follows:

 

Taskforces

• Catalysing Infrastructure Taskforce (CIT)
• Regional Infrastructure Taskforce (RIT)
• 2032 Games Taskforce (GT)
• Emerging Professionals in Infrastructure Queensland Taskforce (EPIQ)

Working Groups

• Diversity & Inclusion (D&I)
• IAQ Connect
• Townsville Regional Working Group (TRWG – reports to RIT)

3. Deliver Events

The remaining events calendar for IAQ 2023 can be found here.

 

Assembly 2023

The full program of sponsors is confirmed and the numbers of registered below. The Assembly has been booked and further information can be found here.

4. Service and Communicate

We will be releasing members updates every two months, to ensure all members are aware of what is happening in IAQ. I would like to thank our Policy & Communications Officer, Harvey Williams, for his work on ensuring our members are updated and for compiling the Taskforce and Working Groups intelligence to share.

 

A big welcome to all our new members in the past few months. We are at an all-time high of members in 2023.

5. Govern the Association

A review by former Board member, Neil Silversides is currently underway with personal interviews, surveys and intelligence gathering for recommendations and discussion with the IAQ Board later this year. Thank you to the Governance Committee which continues to accept and approve new memberships. EOYF will be presented by the Treasurer and an audit will be undertaken.   

 

Thank you for your commitment to IAQ,

 

Louise Van Ristell, IAQ CEO

Taskforces Updates

IAQ’s taskforces and working groups are using a new, easier-to-read update format to keep you in the loop with their current and coming projects.

 

Catalysing Infrastructure Transformation (CIT) Taskforce

 

What CIT has been working on:

• Aligned with TOR’s we have continued monthly presentations This is an ongoing activity – i.e. at each CIT meeting (monthly) CIT holds a presentation (or similar) on an issue that is within our focus areas (per our TOR).
• Hosted an AI Webinar Hosted as part of IAQ’s member webinar series on 1 June.
• AI Cannon
• Met with DSD around their launch of policy documents to support sustainability 18 May. DSD to further engage once ready to conduct industry consultation. CIT is also trying to arrange for a DSD representative to present at one of the upcoming CIT meetings.
• Attended Sunshine Coast Infrastructure Summit 2 June
• Attended 2Q32 Launch Event

What CIT will work on soon:

• Social Housing
• Volo Modular site visit (date TBC).
• Social event – Hamilton display village Date TBC.
• DoE Hackathon Department of Education hackathon – collaborative activity with DoE representatives on how key deliverability challenges for the Department could be solved (including modular / kit of parts construction solutions).
• Collaborative Contracting Speaker
• AI – Agenda next steps
• Impact of the Nature-Related Financial Disclosures Policy Discussion (potentially with a suitable guest speaker) around this policy, which is a biodiversity and nature-related policy further to the Climate-Related Financial Disclosures Policy. This discussion follows on from a presentation from the Queensland Trust for Nature at a recent CIT meeting.

Regional Infrastructure Taskforce (RIT)

 

What RIT has been working on:

• Central Queensland Forum was held on 18 May 2023 in Gladstone
• North Queensland Industry Forum was held on 22 March 2023 in Townsville
• Far North Queensland Forum was held on 20 July 2023 in Cairns (pictured below)

• RIT Chair attended, as an invited guest, the Queensland Local Content Leaders Network on 04 August 2023. Provided an overview of the RIT and discussed how IAQ and the QLCLN can work together for regional forums and discussions
• Housing in conjunction with CIT (webinar to come soon)
• Development of the whitepaper about how business cases can include:
• Measures with respect to supply chain initiatives and targets
• Delivery targets/desired benefits
• Enabling infrastructure
• The aim is for it to be completed by December and to utilise Local Government and Regional Directors in State Government Departments to be agents of change within the State Government

What RIT will work on soon:

• Mackay Industry Forum scheduled for 06 October 2023 with Paul Martyn (DEPW) and Kieran Cusack (QLD Hydro) in conjunction with the Resources Centre of Excellence.
• Continued work on the whitepaper
• Continue planning for 2024 forums

Why it is beneficial to IAQ and its members:

• Build IAQ awareness in the regions
• Build IAQ reputation in the regions - as an impartial co-ordinator and thought leader
• $4,000 profit from Regional Industry Forums

2032 Games Taskforce

 

What Games has been working on:

• The 12-month informative and scene-setting intelligence roundtable breakfasts with international, national, and local guest speakers continued this quarter. The roundtable breakfasts revolved around a series of Games-related topics, namely:
  • Precincts
  • Digital twins
  • Accessibility
  • Sustainability
  • People movement
  • Workforce planning, skills, diversity, and inclusion 

What Games will work on soon:

• Working with key players in DSDILGP, we will be producing hands-on content relevant to the planning, implementation and delivery of the Games precincts, communications, transport, accessibility, and diversity. We would like to thank the entire Games Taskforce and all those who have hosted a Roundtable series over the past 12 months. Rest assured these will continue into 2024 with another planned for the end of 2023, coming soon. 

Why it is beneficial to IAQ and its members:

• Increases IAQ involvement in the Games planning and delivery
• Provides information and opportunities for members to hear from and discuss the Games with key public and private stakeholders
• Expand the IAQ brand throughout Southeast Queensland

EPIQ

 

What EPIQ has been working on:

• EPIQ held the Queensland 2040 – The Future of Infrastructure Advisory event on the 10th of August. New and existing EPIQ members had the opportunity to hear from panellists from the public and private spheres like the Director-General of DSDILGP, Mike Kaiser, the Deputy Consul General of Queensland and Northern Territory, Lucy Monaghan, Deloitte’s Kellie Nuttall and Mott MacDonald’s John Dyson.

What EPIQ will work on soon:

• EPIQ has been invited by Mike Kaiser and his team to an event to be held at 1 Williams Street in the near future (date yet to be confirmed)

Why it is beneficial to IAQ and members:

• Networking opportunities with DSDILGP and increasing EPIQ’s public and private recognition
• The events also provided educational opportunities for EPIQ members and an insight into career development from the public and private spheres.
• The events drive and expand leadership in the infrastructure sector

Working Groups Updates

IAQ Connect

 

What IAQ Connect has been working on:

• Held the Decarbonising Infrastructure Delivery event at WSP on 27 July 2023.
• Launched the IAQ Connect 2023 survey as we come to the end of the “Pilot Year”. IAQ Connect will then use this to inform their 2024 strategy and plan of events.

What IAQ Connect will work on soon:

• Currently locking in an event at the Brisbane Metro Experience Centre
• 2024 Strategy Session and associated 2024 Plan.

Why it is beneficial to IAQ and members:

• IAQ Connect provides the opportunity for mid-level infrastructure professionals to connect and “network with a purpose”. We aim to improve the retention of mid-level professionals in the industry and fill the gap between EPIQ and senior leaders within IAQ.

Diversity and Inclusion Working Group

 

What D&I has been working on:

• A plan on a page for the next 12 months
• Developing information for members on ‘The Voice’
• In order to support the IAQ D&I Working Group’s strategic plan, Phillips Group has created a short survey containing questions regarding diversity, with the respondents’ answers illustrating their organisation’s attitudes towards it. The key findings and their implications are outlined in detail within the D&I report, but briefly, they were:
  • A total of 43 people responded to the survey.
  • The majority of respondents belong to large organisations with at least 1,000 employees.
  • The majority of these organisations operate on an international scale.

READ MORE KEY FINDINGS

Why it is beneficial to IAQ and members:

• The survey and report help D&I provide a forum for members to discuss, educate, reform, and recommend priorities for inclusion and diversity for organisations operating in the industry and individuals within the membership.

Exclusive stories for our members

Q&A: Social Housing with Mark Cridland

IAQ was given the opportunity to ask the Director-General of the Department of Housing five questions about social housing. The dialogue has been copied below.

 

1. There seems to be a bit of confusion about the funding models for new social housing infrastructure. Would you be able to provide an insight into the funding models?

 

The Queensland Government is investing $5 billion in social and affordable housing and homelessness support – the largest concentrated investment in our state’s history.

 

The Department of Housing undertakes a number of approaches and funding models to ensure this record investment delivers for Queenslanders in need.

READ MORE

The Socioeconomic Benefits of Social Housing: A Catalyst for Progress

The importance of social and affordable housing has returned to the public policy debate in Queensland and Australia more generally.

 

Last week, the Federal Government committed to the nation’s biggest investment in social and affordable housing in over a decade. The $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund will deliver funding to build 30,000 affordable homes within 5 years, two-thirds of which will be social homes and the rest affordable rentals for frontline workers. This is in addition to the Queensland Government’s 2023-24 budget, which allocates $1.1 billion for the delivery and supply of 3,265 new social housing commencements across Queensland through the Housing and Homelessness Action Plan 2021-2025.

READ MORE

Report Update: ShapingSEQ

IAQ was invited by the Queensland Government to attend the ShapingSEQ 2023 Draft Update (SSEQ) Briefing.

 

SSEQ is the plan to shape the future growth of Southeast Queensland. As our population grows rapidly, the Queensland Government is updating their plan to enhance our communities in a sustainable way.

READ MORE

Nature Related Financial Disclosure

The success of business and industry are inextricably tied to the natural world. The acceleration of nature loss globally is an increasing source of risk to businesses and providers of financial capital. Over half of the world’s GDP is dependent on nature, and in Australia, the dependence is particularly acute. Agriculture, tourism, mining, fishing, forestry and more depend on the health of our climate and the myriad of ecosystems within it. Our understanding of how nature not only contributes but drives and supports the success of Australia’s businesses and our collective well-being will only grow as time elapses. This explains the growing interest in Nature-Related Financial Disclosures (NRFD) not only in Queensland, but globally.

READ MORE

Nature is the new net zero: Why your business should value nature in decision-making

It is becoming business as usual to consider the material and financial risks of climate change to business and plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to achieve net zero. In addition to this, there is a growing worldwide commitment to go beyond net zero and reverse the decline in nature.

READ MORE

A Brief Introduction to the Intergenerational Report

The Intergenerational Report (IR) was released by the Federal Government last week. The Albanese’s Government's first IR, and Australia's sixth, outlines a ‘broader picture’ view of the forces that will shape the nation’s economy and fiscal position over the next 40 years. The idea is to identify the challenges coming towards Australia so that a plan can be developed to maximise opportunities and steer clear of incoming disasters.

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New Members in 2023

IAQ thanks the support and involvement of all our

members and welcome the following newest members.

Copyright IAQ 2023

Our mailing address is: GPO Box 2146, Brisbane QLD 4001

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