Meet our Winter Works Planner: Dave Dudley

Our Winter Works program requires many projects to be undertaken

within a tight timeframe, so I also love the challenge and the satisfaction

of seeing everything completed safely, on schedule and within budget,

after many months of planning tasks. 

3. How has the Winter Works evolved over the years? 

New technology has helped streamline our planning, mapping, reporting and procurement activities, which helps to ensure we meet our Winter Works objectives.         

Our robust onboarding and induction processes means contractors are

well trained to comply with our systems and process. 

Safety has been further enhanced by the simplification of our system planning and implementation tool, which has recently included Safe

Work Method Statements being online, further reducing paper-based systems in the field.

Each year our Winter Works program is getting safer and more efficient. 

4. Can you describe what a typical day looks like for you during the busy Winter Works period?

During Winter Works, my daily work involves planning and progress updates, plus I juggle a mixture of administration work, on-site activities

and many phone/Teams calls. 

For example, I will spend the morning reviewing work plans, creating progress reports and checking project costings against budget. There

will be daily afternoon online meetings with our field teams, supervisors and contractors to plan the following day's activities and related traffic control needs, as well as discuss any safety, work site, progress, quality

and scheduling issues. 

5. What is the best thing about the Winter Works period?

Working with great staff and contractors who are good team players and know what is required to get the job done safely with minimal issues.

There is a lot of planning and preparation that needs to be done in the lead up to Winter Works. It's an intense period, so it's always good when the work begins. It's also a great feeling when we get to the finish line.

6. What is the greatest challenge of working during this busy period? 

Weather and site conditions. Especially this winter, with the wetter than normal conditions and most sites being off road. While COVID cases haven't been too bad, it is still in the background.

7. How does our Winter Works program benefit our customers, and the broader community, each year? 

Our maintenance program ensures our customers continue to receive a reliable and efficient watery delivery service.

It also generates economic benefits for the region. For example, it brings external contractors to town for six to eight weeks at a time who spend money on accommodation, and at local pubs and shops. It all helps.

Having a modernised reliable water delivery system also helps local farmers get the most out of their farming operations. This creates positive spinoffs for the region's economy in terms of the local dollars they spend on things like chemicals, machinery upgrades and farm improvements.   

Also, our Life Extension works aim to increase the operational life of our irrigation infrastructure by at least 30 years. This creates big savings for the company, our customers and our shareholders.