Focus on Australia’s infrastructure at AGIC conference

The future sustainability of Australia’s infrastructure will be the focus at the Australian Green Infrastructure Council’s (AGIC) second annual national conference in Brisbane on Tuesday 26 October 2010.

AGIC is developing the world’s first full sustainability rating scheme covering governance, social, environmental and economic factors across the planning, design, construction and operational phases of major infrastructure.

National and international speakers from public and private organisations will present papers on a range of topics, including legal, financial, operations, asset management, environmental and workforce opportunities and challenges.

The keynote speaker is Prof Roger Venables, Managing Director of Crane Environmental and Chief Executive of CEEQUAL in the UK. CEEQUAL is an environmental assessment and awards scheme that has been applied to AU$24.5 billion worth of infrastructure projects in the UK.

The conference will feature an update on the AGIC rating scheme’s progress, launch of an infrastructure Climate Change Vulnerability Guideline, a free online knowledge hub and a self-assessable ‘quick check’ to help project teams assess sustainability risks and opportunities while the rating scheme is developed.

“Billions of dollars are being invested in transport, water and energy infrastructure across Australia and ensuring that the planning, delivery and operation of these projects achieves the most sustainable outcomes for Australia is critical for our future,” Prof David Hood AGIC Chairman said.

“This conference is another significant milestone for AGIC, which has more than 80 members employing close to 100,000 people,” he said.

AGIC’s conference is being held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre in conjunction with the 5th World Congress on Engineering Asset Management.

For more information or to register, please visit www.agic.net.au or www.wceam.com/.