Sustainability will be the buzzword when a peak engineering group holds its state conference in Townsville next month.

The Institute of Public Works Engineering Queensland (IPWEAQ) will host the event at the Townsville Convention and Exhibition Centre, October 24-26.

Chief executive officer Leigh Cunningham said the group was expecting 300-350 attendees.

‘Sustainability through inspired leadership and community engagement’ is this year’s theme, which Ms Cunningham said aligned with host local authority Townsville City Council’s focus.

She said finding sustainable solutions was a recurring focus at IPWEAQ events, including finding financially sustainable outcomes given the current situation for many of the state’s 77 councils.

Engineers play a key role in finding innovative and efficient solutions to meet community needs.

“Smart solutions, smart cities is big on the agenda at the moment,” Ms Cunningham said.

“The Sunshine Coast Council’s Smart Centre and Living Lab showcases examples of smart city technology including parking apps that alert motorists to available car parks, environmental water sensors providing data in real time, smart street lights that send traffic information to a central control centre and rubbish bins that sense when they need emptying to name just a few innovation solutions that lead to sustainable communities.”

The state conference will include the IPWEAQ’s annual excellence awards, to be announced at a gala dinner on October 25.

More at https://ipweaq.eventsair.com/QuickEventWebsitePortal/sc1017townsville/sctsv2017