Engaged to review the Electricity Distribution - Pole Management for United Energy, develop a specification for the effective management of that asset and develop recommendations to improve and enhance the current process.

I managed a team of Engineers, Surveyors and Easement management staff that oversee the asset lifecycle, health, reliability, and performance of the Overhead and Underground powerline asset base comprising the Electricity Distribution Network for the Eastern part of Victoria supplying 700k+ customers and the Electricity Transmission Network for Victoria. I was responsible for developing plant strategies, plant and equipment technical specifications, standard maintenance instructions, asset inspection criteria, new product evaluations, performing asset failure investigations and asset in service risk assessments.

I was taken offline to help steer the Western Victorian Transmission project which had at the time reached a critical point and was presented with sizeable community opposition. The project will build the first 500kV Transmission line in Victoria since the late 1980’s, some 190kM long. Transporting renewable energy – from the generation region in West Victoria to Melbourne and the rest of Victoria. Traversing 5 local government areas and 9 Regional Aboriginal Party areas (RAPs). This role was responsible for ensuring the Project teams for a) Planning and Environment, b) Land and Easements acquisition and c) Stakeholder Engagement (incl government, councils, agencies, community organisations) are fully integrated to ensure activities are coordinated and risks are managed to meet the projects objectives.The core focus was to develop mitigation strategies to manage the advocacy and stakeholder relations at various levels of government for the Project. Open dialogue with the communities and the protest groups and establish a case to build the Transmission line that would be accepted by the community. Key Achievements• Established community reference group and community drop-in sessions and Online forums to reach out to communities• Developed a media strategy and campaign• Developed and implemented a social licence implementation plan.

Accountable for investment optimisation of the Electricity Distribution Business’ Capex portfolio. Provide strategic direction and leadership on managing business performance and direction.Build a collaborative approach to ED business strategies across all Divisions and Departments, to provide maximum opportunity to realise our core objectives on customer, financial, asset and regulatory outcomes. Seek out, foster and collaborate on development opportunities that will progress and innovate the business. Provide business sponsorship, direction or oversee critical and/or nonstandard projects and programs to be executed on behalf of the Asset Owner.Responsible for the oversight of critical and/or sensitive relationships, commercial negotiations and decisions affecting the Electricity Distribution business.

Lead and define a vision for the future of the Electricity Distribution business, and communicate the vision to the AusNet Services team. Set strategy for the achievement of that vision for the Electricity Distribution business. Align the business, financial, customer, technology, regulatory and asset management strategies of the Electricity Distribution business.Be accountable for the Electricity Distribution business’ performance including controlling cost, profit and loss, benchmarking, customer and network performance.Articulate the purpose and value of the Electricity Distribution business with key parts of AusNet Services, industry, regulators, government and the community, and influence the operating environment to further the interests of the Electricity Distribution business.

This role encompasses all company initiated Capital and Maintenance programs/projects across the Electricity Distribution and Transmission Networks owned and operated by AusNet Services. The Asset Portfolio team is responsible for the development, monitoring, prioritisation and management of program delivery strategies for all Capital and Maintenance works. The position also has Sponsorship responsibilities for Project Edison, a standalone project rebuilding and augmenting 3 x Melbourne CBD Terminal stations. In addition provides leadership and strategic direction for the delivery of Network Safety Programs and Bushfire Mitigation activities.

My position is responsible for the development, monitoring, management and delivery of asset replacement and Operations and Maintenance/inspection programs in accordance with short and long term plans to meet regulatory and shareholder requirements for the Asset Owner. This involves bringing a greater Asset Owner focused environment leading to the optimum delivery of programs in accordance with Asset Owner requirements including achieving optimal scheduling and works co-ordination across electricity transmission and distribution networks.Asset Owner Sponsor for Network Safety Programs relating to bushfire mitigation strategies and Electricity Safety Management Schemes.

The purpose of the Work Integration function is to develop plans designed to maximise synergies in the delivery of construction works on the Electricity Distribution & Transmission Networks. Maximise the efficeint use of labour and material/plant resources. Reduce customer interruption as a result of competing Asset Replacement - maintenance, company and customer initiated Program & Projects at station, area, zone sub and feeder levels. Lead the Asset Replacement and Maintenance program planning function which develops the business case for an annual Asset Replacement & Maintenance program aligning to SP-AusNet strategic asset management plans. The specialised team monitors, reports and coordinates the delivery of the program which accounts for >60% of all works on the distribution network. This function is responsible for engineering and facilitating a preventative maintenance inspection program to proactively optimise and risk manage the life cycle of SP-AusNet 380,000 Distribution Pole Assets and associated infrastructure.

Responsible for the operational development and execution of the annual maintenance program for the distribution network. Manage and lead a technical team, to deliver on maintenance projects and routine inspection programs. The team is responsible for the delivery of the works programs on time, within budget and to the required level of quality across the distribution electricity network.