M9 Preston - North Essendon Water Main Upgrade Evaluation Workshop

The issue:

Melbourne Water (as part of the Water Resources Alliance) installed a new 10.5km water main linking the Preston Reservoir to supply tanks located beside Essendon Airport. Works to install the new water main took place over 2.5 years and encompassed the suburbs of Coburg, Pascoe Vale and Strathmore. The M9 water main is more than 100 years old and is at the end of its service life. Upgrading this main is an essential part of Melbourne Water's program; to secure supply to homes and businesses in the northern and western suburbs and to help conserve our precious water resources. To minimise construction impacts on the community and assure the safety of all, works were staggered. Working this way also allowed the Alliance to deliver the project in the most efficient manner.

The challenge:

Design and facilitate a one day workshop that engages and captures the imagination of a multi stakeholder team of civil engineers, construction managers, designers, environmental scientists, project managers, communications specialists and stakeholder relationship managers. The workshop must capture the history, the significant events and the lessons learnt from a range of perspectives to inform future projects. There also needs to be space for celebration and acknowledgement of the tremendous efforts of the whole team in completing this significant project.

The results:

'I cannot emphasise the amount of compliments I received from the attendees who enjoyed reflecting, celebrating, and networking in a constructive environment – everyone is looking forward to the output package.  Thank you Lindy for your tremendous and terrific effort in guiding us on this special day.  You made a big day look like a walk in the park.  I look forward to working with you on my next upcoming challenge!"  Fatima Mohammed, Team Leader, Stakeholder and Community Relations, Melbourne Water - Water Resources Alliance  

IAP2 Community Engagement Tips, Tools & Techniques

Over 60 passionate practitioners  gathered on Friday 17 June 2011, joining IAP2 VIC for a one day workshop on Community Engagement Tips, Tools and Techniques. This day focussed on peer learning with an emphasis on looking for fresh ideas and inspiration to become more effective enagment practitioners ourselves and also doing the work of community engagment.

In the jam packed agenda, Lindy Amos of Collective Possibilities facilitated a lively opening session on Large Group Introductory Exercises. Lindy joined 7 other leading practitioners to share their favourite tools and techniques through creative activities and parallel workshops. The event was hosted by the IAP2 Victorian Committee.