Infrastructure Resilience

Looking specifically at the Hawke's Bay rebuild post Cyclone Gabrielle, we must test that planning is happening in the background to ensure local outcomes are at the forefront and that long-term value is maximised. Together this creates "Resilience" and will be realised only through effective asset management planning and delivery.

Local engagement and input are key components in ensuring that the projects being prioritised and delivered currently align with the needs and aspirations of impacted communities. Effective asset management practices, including robust planning, maintenance, and renewal strategies, will ensure the longevity of the infrastructure and enhance its performance and resilience.

As I reflect on some lessons learned about infrastructure resilience through 2023, top of mind I can list some simple strategies when building new, or repairing existing infrastructure to ensure its resilience. Some I'm proud to have implemented or encouraged in roles to date, some I've learned the hard way and encourage others involved in the Hawke's Bay rebuild, or others simply managing complex asset portfolios to take on board now.  

𝟭.  𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Identify vulnerable assets through thorough risk assessments. These aren’t only going to be the assets that were already impacted in Gabrielle or the crappy winter of 2022!! 

𝟮.  𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴: Create detailed asset maps to understand their location and condition relative to climate risks. Ideally use the maps to visually display both likelihood and consequence factors for the assets - thereby showing a rounded-out risk view.

𝟯.  𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴: Implement proactive maintenance and monitoring to keep assets in optimal condition and signal impending issues. 

𝟰.  𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴: Incorporate resilient design practices in asset creation and maintenance.

𝟱.  𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗲𝗿: Consider insurance and risk transfer to reduce financial losses from weather-related damage. I wish we had ensured our bridges at my old gig… 

𝟲.  𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀: Develop and maintain plans to quickly address weather-related damage or disruptions.

𝟳.  𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀: Train employees, contractors, community members (anyone that will bloody listen) on climate risks and effective response measures.

𝟴.  𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀: Use data and analytics to monitor weather patterns and predict potential risks. Use real time data as well as predictive models to flag potential impacts and outcomes before and as they occur. 

𝟵.  𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Regularly review and update plans based on past events and best practices. 

In this pod-cast, soon after the devastating impacts of cyclone Gabrielle, I talk to Josh Pope on his Asset Guardians podcast about some of my views on resilience at the time:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4AyJYM7A1b27COytV4qAzC