CEO's Message - February 2020
2020 has started with a palpable sense of frustration, fear, loss and anger across our nation as we come to terms with the devasting impacts of the bushfires. We are also facing the further impacts of other extreme weather events, with more likely to come. Coupled with this is a mounting public lack of trust in the leadership and decision-making of our elected representatives, particularly in the allocation of funds. It is a challenging backdrop for the start of a new decade, in which transport projects will become more critical as our population increases.
With these challenges also comes opportunity and hope. This gives the AITPM the opportunity to provide leadership in traffic and transport.
With the next phase of AITPM’s evolution in 2020, we will be looking strategically at how we can more effectively share knowledge and grow connections to strengthen the role and positive contribution of traffic and transport practitioners in modern society. The rapid changes in our society require practitioners to be across the latest news, research and best practice, as well as being attuned to the changing needs and trends, often from other fields, that will impact upon transport practice. As an Institute, we will need to adapt our approaches to engage and connect with our members and to deliver you the knowledge and skills to develop your expertise. We must support and equip our members to use their expertise to provide leadership within their professional practice to deliver more sustainable, inclusive and effective transport outcomes.
In the coming months I hope to be able to meet many of our members and partners across the country. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on how we can support you in your traffic and transport practice and in the growth of your career within this field. We will be providing opportunities share your views throughout the year and I also encourage you to get in touch with me to share your thoughts on the challenges you are facing and the opportunities for the AITPM.
It is only early days – both in 2020 and in my role as your AITPM CEO – but I can already see significant opportunity to move AITPM to the next level. I hope that as our membership renewal approaches in March that you will choose to play a part in our journey.
Kirsty Kelly
Chief Executive Officer