Michael Courtney
What a busy few months it has been!
Demand for service planning, financial services, and asset management services, particularly building conditions, has been abundant.
We completed a large building condition assessment for DELWP in December 2022 assessing over 2,000 buildings on 1,265 sites across 6 regions, over several months. DELWP now have an Asset Register whilst the respective committees of management have a costed renewal and maintenance programs – well done to all involved.
We have over 10 Service Planning projects in train across all states and the interest across the sector around service costs, service levels and financial sustainability is increasing, particularly in the states with rate capping/pegging. Simon and his Associate team have been busy!
We believe the Victorian metro Council interest is driven by the cumulative impact of rate capping.
In NSW we have assisted Councils with Special Variations (where Councils want to raise rates above the rate peg) and have seen requests for 60% to 100%!! This is the cumulative impact of increasing operating costs and reducing revenue coupled with deteriorating infrastructure.
Let’s hope the model in NSW doesn’t ultimately replicate in Victoria!!
Alf has managed a number of AMCap and Asset Management Planning type projects and we are noticing some Councils are struggling to fund renewal demand and maintenance – not a good sign! Service Reviews are also tracking well with Alf and Jarrod responding to projects within their regions.
Our placements have been tracking well with over 45 Associates assisting Councils directly.
The recruitment of skilled and experienced professionals is a major challenge for Councils nationally.
We couldn’t keep up with this demand without our wonderful staff – Alanna, Rebecca and Caitlin feature this month. They have continued the tradition of great service. We are so grateful that we could recruit these skilled and committed staff to complement our team.
On the Associate recruitment front we have managed to engage some skilled operators who bring a wealth of experience and knowledge in some of our key areas. We manage to have a steady flow of potential Associates as people look to simplify and increase control over their professional lives.
Kerrie, Sharon and the team have developed a draft QA system along with the ongoing implementation of our Digital Strategy including Project Works, Insite, electronic timesheets and equipment upgrades. We are now fully in the cloud and are about to uplift our reporting capability. These initiatives have significantly increased company productivity.
Overall, we are experiencing growth which is well delivered by our staff and Associates and supported by our internal administrative and marketing teams.
We look forward to assisting you to meet your professional needs whether they be transition to retirement or to be actively working! Our National Placement Manager (elect) Caitlin Kirby will ring you over the coming months so please let her know what your personal professional objectives are – we are here to serve.
We note Malcolm, our National Placements Manager is retiring in November 2023 and we will acknowledge Mal’s wonderful service closer to this time.
Finally, we look forward to continuing our training program in 2023 and wish you and your families a Happy Easter – enjoy the break.