2022 HIGHLIGHTS
Infrastructure Industry Steering Committee
Following IAQ’s involvement in various Qld State Government COVID specific consultation groups, we have continued a role on the Infrastructure Industry Steering Committee (IISC) providing a direct line of communication for IAQ members. Post our initial involvement, the IISC presented a reframed front in late November 2022, with one of the key drivers for 2023 being the release of the FIPI Discussion Paper. This presents an opportunity for IAQ to drive discussion and collaboration around drivers for investment in a wide range of areas as we progress our work with IISC in 2023.
Future Infrastructure: Private Investment – DSDILGP Discussion Paper
Following our research to inform the joint program team on the barriers and opportunities for unlocking private sector investment, and collaboration with the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning (DSDILGP) and Queensland Treasury, the Queensland State Government launched the Future Infrastructure Private Investment (FIPI) Discussion Paper in November. The FIPI was also discussed at the IISC meeting in late November as a component of the reframed discussion for 2023.
DSDILGP noted that the recent FIPI discussion paper forms a bookmark for targeted industry engagement in the first quarter of 2023 and provides an early indication of work underway to focus on opportunities for private sector infrastructure investment. More detail about this will follow soon. One of the key drivers will be targeted engagement with industry and investors. Government is working across all its moving parts including functions that are working with private sector to enable a whole of government approach to engagement and implementation. The FIPI release now available on the DSDILGP website is a taster and signals potential directions for government in this area. Deputy Premier Stephen Miles is keen to progress private investment.
IAQ is keenly interested in engaging with all levels and layers of government on this critical issue. Also, to broadening the scope across additional industry areas that need launching both prior to and along with the energy and waste projects for Queensland as featured in the early detail of the FIPI. While industry may have an appetite for investment; risk sharing and cost escalation are some key barriers. IAQ’s position and engagement with government will be collaborative and consultative to shape detail and delivery.
For more information: IAQ 2021 Survey – Private Sector and Investment
Read the Future Infrastructure Private Investment Discussion Paper here.
Infrastructure Australia
IAQ maintains proactive engagement with Infrastructure Australia (IA) and strongly supports an independent infrastructure advisory body. IA has changed the infrastructure ecosystem by highlighting good practice and providing a greater level of accountability for infrastructure decision making. In August, IAQ provided a written submission to the Federal Government independent review of IA. Following this, IAQ taskforce leads Robbie Claase and Sian Keast attended the IA Review Workshop which identified the importance of an overarching guidance and direction for the nation’s transitional economy; systems based and integrated national approach; asset resilience; and an intergenerational focus as key areas moving forward. The review was completed in October 2022 and the Australian Government has now announced its response.
See IAQ’s Independent Review of Infrastructure Australia here.
See the Independent review of Infrastructure Australia, October 2022 here.
See the Australian Government response to the independent review of Infrastructure Australia 2022 here.
Collaboration Framework Department of Transport & Main Roads
IAQ has continued the work with TMR, CCF, CA, QMCA & CSQ developing a new way of working to build trust and improve outcomes on projects. IAQ was invited into this project by TMR to broaden and mature the approach with the inclusion of numerous and diverse IAQ members informing the creation of the Framework. The TMR Collaborative Taskforce wrapped the year with an overview on a 10-step workstream process with more detail to be provided throughout 2023.
Project capacity and enhancing industry image to attract and retain talent is also a key driver of this committee with CSQ providing key papers and intelligence in early 2023. ‘Capacity’ will be the framework for the first IAQ 2023 Breakfast, a scene setter for industry to better understand government and private sector commitment to increase worker resources and longevity.
IAQ Boardroom Breakfast Series
IAQ continues to deliver the highly regarded Chatham House Rule Boardroom Breakfast Series with DG’s and national CEO’s, our well attended large scale breakfast / lunch events, technical webinars and Taskforce meetings with guest speakers. In 2022 our guest speakers included Neil Scales OBE, Director-General Department of Transport and Main Roads; Leon Allen, Under Treasurer Queensland Treasury; Paul Martyn, Director-General Department of Energy and Public Works; and Shaun Drummond, Director-General Queensland Health.
Women in Infrastructure (WII) Initiative
Throughout 2022, IAQ has been seeking funding and working with member organisations to enable the development and delivery of our WII initiative which aims to break the bias within industry through empowering women, creating more job opportunities, safer workplaces, a more sustainable infrastructure industry and a productive economy. Currently proposed as 3 initial workshops to develop input on themes including attracting females into the industry; overcoming issues and challenges within the infrastructure workplace; and barriers to entry for women living in regional areas; the IAQ WII Working Group met in December to propose our pathway forward for 2023 that aims to include a broader gap analysis process; development of a launch event; and research including member survey on barriers and issues.
Far North Queensland Regional Infrastructure Plan (FNQ RIP)
In November, Louise Van Ristell and multiple IAQ members led by CIT Taskforce Chair Robbie Claase, BIO Taskforce Chair Paul Rigo and Regional Prosperity Lead Chris Wade, attended a DSDILGP workshop briefing on the FNQ RIP; the purpose of which was to seek IAQ’s expert opinion and specialist input on the challenges identified from DSDILGP’s FNQ RIP regional stakeholder engagement. Key areas for focus include the cost of infrastructure for local governments; workforce skilling and stability; delivery governance; food security; liveability; climate change resilience; housing supply; health services; and connectivity. IAQ also discussed the role of public transport; workforce diversity; collaborative contracting models; small business capability development and frameworks to enable Indigenous businesses and workforce. IAQ will be undertaking further engagement with DSDILGP with more detailed feedback through the end of this year and the following phases of the development of the FNQ RIP in 2023.
Office of Qld Chief Entrepreneur
Future industries reshaping regional Queensland was the subject matter for a webinar IAQ undertook with the Office of Queensland Chief Entrepreneur (OQCE) for their Regional ConnectX series. With over 80 registrations and very positive feedback, the OQCE has asked IAQ to facilitate further webinars with them in 2023. The webinar moderator was change-maker for regional businesses Julia Spicer OAM, and Queensland’s new Chief Entrepreneur. IAQ congratulates Julia, who spoke at our Infrastructure Assembly this year, in her new role and looks forward to further opportunities to work together, particularly with our focus in regional Queensland.
