Victoria adopts digital strategy for infrastructure projects

The Victorian Government is adopting a new digital strategy for managing infrastructure projects to coincide with its proposed massive $50 billion rail project.

Treasurer Tim Pallas has announced the new Victorian Digital Asset Strategy (VDAS), which will seek to improve the way infrastructure projects are defined, delivered and maintained.

The VDAS will seek to integrate the many sources of information used to create assets in the state. These include computer-aided designs, 3D visuals and project schedules, construction sequencing and 4D models, cost and operations, and maintenance performance details.

Pallas said the government plans to roll the strategy out across all relevant government agencies in 2019. The platform will support both digital engineering (DE) and building information monitoring (BIM).

In the coming year the government plans to commence, progress or deliver $78.9 billion worth of state capital projects.

Last week the government also announced a proposal to build a new $50 billion train line linking Melbourne’s outer suburbs and connecting every major existing train line, in what would be the largest public transport project in Australian history. If approved, the project will commence in 2022 and take around 30 years to complete.

“We’re delivering the biggest infrastructure pipeline in Victoria’s history — so it’s vital that we employ a consistent Digital Engineering and Building Information Modelling approach,” Pallas said.

“It’ll help build the infrastructure we need in a smarter, quicker and often cheaper way — which is great news for our economy, productivity and jobs.”

Victorian Chief Engineering Dr Collette Burke added that the best-practice approach taken by the VDAS will enable cost savings, while delivering improvements in productivity, risk management, collaboration and project outcomes.

“VDAS will enable data to be effectively and efficiently transferred through all stages of a project and into the asset’s life,” she said.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/madpixblue

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