The PE Act in Action: Local Government Engineering Works

Abstract

The Professional Engineers Act 2002 (Qld) (PE Act) sets out the obligations for engineers practicing in Queensland or for Queensland and provides for the registered professional engineer of Queensland (RPEQ) system. The PE Act requires that professional engineering services must be carried out by a RPEQ, or under the direct supervision of a RPEQ.

As a major procurer and provider of professional engineering services, local governments must ensure compliance with the PE Act. BPEQ are aware of issues in local government that present challenges for compliance with the PE Act, particularly when engaging external engineering consultants. Further challenges include the role of local government engineers in implementing engineering services where there has been involvement by external engineering consultants.

Another current challenge for local governments and local government engineers arises in relation to residential developments where building works, which would ordinarily be subject to the Building Act, fall under the scope of operational works.

Appropriate RPEQ involvement is critical to these processes. This presentation will discuss the PE Act and these issues as they relate to local government engineers. Biography

BE Civil, FIE Aust, FIPWEAQ, RPEQ, GAICD, CPEng, EngExec, APEC Engineer Dawson Wilkie was appointed as BPEQ Chairperson and regional representative in January 2015. A qualified civil engineer currently working in private consultancy, Dawson has worked in the profession for more than 35 years. Graduating from the Queensland Institute of Technology in 1979, Dawson went on to work with the New South Wales Department of Main Roads and then in local government with Dubbo City Council and Townsville City Council. Dawson was the managing director of a medium sized construction company and then the chief executive officer at an engineering firm before moving into private consultancy.