The City of Greater Geelong, located in Victoria, Australia, is a rapidly growing municipality serving a population of 290,000, expected to reach 400,000. With 2,700 city employees and infrastructure assets valued at billions, the city prioritises innovation and sustainability in urban management, including its $642 million drainage network.
THE CHALLENGE
The City of Greater Geelong were challenged with:
- Process inefficiencies in prioritising repairs and preparing tender documents.
- Meeting targets for previous annual pipe rehabilitation programs.
- An increasing risk to the network due to infrastructure investment gaps.
THE SOLUTION
To address the City of Greater Geelong’s challenges, VAPAR implemented a multi-faceted approach designed to transform their stormwater renewal strategies and optimise resources:
- Strategic Planning for Long-Term Impact: The project emphasised creating a sustainable approach to stormwater renewal. The strategy included balancing above-ground and below-ground factors (e.g., structural grade, surface zone, pipe diameter) related to risk evaluation, to inform a phased investment program over multiple fiscal year.
- Unlocking the Value of Existing Inspection Data: A vast backlog of CCTV inspection data had accumulated over the years. VAPAR applied advanced analytics to process and interpret this data, providing actionable insights that would have otherwise required significant manual effort. By doing so, they turned a underutilised data into a valuable strategic asset.
- Machine Learning Integration for Predictive Asset Management: Using machine learning algorithms, VAPAR assessed pipe conditions with unprecedented detail and precision. The platform categorised defects based on severity and impact, creating reliable decision cohorts like “No Action,” “Clean,” “Patch,” “Line,” or “Dig-Up.” This predictive model allowed for efficient prioritisation of repairs, focusing investment where it was most needed.
- Efficient and Data-Driven Decision-Making: Geelong engineers conducted focused, two-hour weekly sessions over four weeks, where higher-risk inspections were reviewed collaboratively. This streamlined process ensured all stakeholders were aligned on priorities and that decisions were both rapid and data-driven.
- Streamlined Documentation for Implementation: Leveraging automation, VAPAR exported targeted data sets directly into tender-ready documentation (CSV & PDF). This reduced the time and effort needed to prepare detailed repair scopes, allowing for seamless integration into procurement workflows.
Project Snapshot
- Transformed stormwater renewal strategies using machine learning and data-driven decision-making.
- Addressed backlog inspection data, improving risk prioritisation for drainage rehabilitation.
- Created a $3.5 million package of actionable repairs in just four weeks.
- Secured a sustainable $4 million annual budget for proactive drainage management.
RESULTS
The collaboration between VAPAR and the City of Greater Geelong yielded significant outcomes, both immediate and long-term:
- Enhanced Collaboration and Transparency: The structured decision-making process and clear tender documentation fostered trust and alignment among stakeholders within the engineering team. This ensured that the outcomes were not only effective but also widely supported within the City’s administration.
- Operational Efficiency Gains: The integration of machine learning drastically reduced the time and resources needed for condition assessments. Over 300 higher-risk inspections were processed in just four weeks, a task that would traditionally require months of manual effort.
- Data-Driven Decision-Making: By categorising pipes into distinct cohorts (e.g., “No Action,” “Clean,” “Patch”), VAPAR enabled the Geelong team to make consistent and reliable decisions. This approach ensured that limited resources were allocated to the most critical needs, evaluating network risks effectively.
- Financial Optimisation: The project unlocked a $3.5 million package of actionable repairs, ensuring these funds were deployed efficiently and transparently. The City also secured an ongoing $4 million annual budget for drainage asset renewal, reflecting confidence in the strategic framework established.
- Risk Mitigation and Future-Proofing: Immediate repairs to high-risk pipes are scheduled for FY 2025, while proactive inspection and rehabilitation programs will begin from FY 2026 onward. This phased approach minimises immediate risks while establishing a foundation for sustainable, long-term management.
- Scalability and Simplicity: The methodology and tools developed are not limited to the City of Greater Geelong but can be scaled and quickly adopted for other municipalities facing similar challenges within their sewer & stormwater networks.
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