As we head to the state election, slated for March, Engineers Australia in Tasmania will enter the fray with its own wish list, starting with infrastructure.
There are many types of infrastructure, including:
Transportation — roads, bridges, cycleways, rail, airports, and ports
Electricity and pipelines — generation and delivery of electricity and gas, including electric grids
Water and sewerage — Ensures a healthy community
Telecommunications — Allows us to talk to each other and connect to the world
Public space — attracts economic activity such as tourism and enriches our social lives, including parks, beaches and nature reserves
The quality of a society’s infrastructure is closely linked to its standard of living and economic prosperity.
Engineers Australia is an apolitical organisation, representing more than 1300 engineers statewide who have a broad range of views, like the rest of the community.
But we have agreed that Tasmania’s future depends on sound infrastructure planning and management, not only at state government level but the integration of plans between agencies and various levels of government.
Already the Labor Party has committed to supporting the Cradle Mountain Master Plan to the tune of $30 million, a key project for the entire North-West Coast in terms of tourism, construction, and long-term jobs.
Similarly, the Government has promised a four-lane carriageway between Sorell and Hobart.
But what Engineers Australia is committed to is encouraging the parties to create a strategic vision and publish long-term plans beyond the election cycle, for the next 10 to 20 years.
Not only that, but the long-term pipeline needs to be a whole-of-government plan, and across different levels of government.
We need to maximise our existing infrastructure assets, through the sustainable management over their full expected life cycles, through the sensible application of smart ICT management techniques and improved resilience planning.
How do we create the jobs, particularly engineering jobs connected to a variety of industries, that will attract people from interstate and keep our young adults here or have them come home?
It’s only through publicising that there is a continual pipeline of work so employers can guarantee ongoing opportunities for recently qualified engineers, paraprofessionals, and experienced practitioners.
Engineers are primarily responsible for the design, construction, operation and continuous improvement of infrastructure facilities that provide a framework in which an innovative economy can thrive. Engineers are committed to creating solutions to make the world a better place.
We need all major parties to focus on a public policy framework that draws on engineers to solve policy challenges and reflects the connection between educating people, at school and for life, now for the workforce of the future.
These projects have the potential to transform Tasmania, to increase employment opportunities, educational attainment, greater mobility, a cleaner environment and a better standard and enjoyment of living.
But making sure the right infrastructure (energy, water, waste management, telecommunications and transport) is ready for a smart Tasmania requires good technical knowledge and an understanding of systems design and thinking.
For this reason, Engineers Australia strongly advocates the Government and Opposition for the appointment of a chief engineer.
The role would be to provide independent advice from a whole-of-government perspective on engineering-intensive policies and strategies, as well as advice about programs that foster innovation and employment and to assist all governments to drive economic growth and productivity.
The chief engineer’s role would be to assist governments to develop industry policies and programs that will drive economic growth and boost productivity. New South Wales already has one and Victoria is recruiting one now.
Tasmania, as we continue to grow our economy but with acknowledged, significant future challenges as the smallest state needs this position now.