Work

Just in case you were wondering if Geoff is really working in Vanuatu........ Geoff is employed by the Public Works Dept. of Vanuatu, having been recruited by Australian Volunteers International. He is assisting with the Urban Infrastructure Project, and was promoted to Project Management Engineer at the beginning of the year. This project, which commenced several years ago, consists of several sub-projects (discussed below) with a total value of 12 Million USD. The project, including Geoff and the Project Management team, is funded jointly by the Government of Vanuatu, a loan from the Asian Development Bank, and AustAID. Geoff leads a project management team consisting of another expat. senior project engineer, a local junior engineer, a local engineering technician, a local part-time accountant, and a local secretary. The team is assisted by Australian consultants SMEC. Some brief information concerning the sub-projects is discussed below.
Road Rehabilitation
As you can imagine the combination of a wet tropical climate and poor drainage, plays havoc with the road surfaces. Most roads around Port Vila are pitted by numerous potholes and washout gullies. Often there is not enough money to make repairs, and so the road condition continues to significantly deteriorate after each downpour. When we arrived 50 km of roads around Port Vila were being resurfaced under the Project by contractor Lagans Holdings from Ireland. The photo at right shows one of the newly resurfaced roads
Rehabilitation of the Main Wharf
Vanuatu, being an island nation, relies heavily on the arrival of food and other goods by sea. Large cargo vessels, the Pacific Sky Cruise Ship and visiting naval ships are not an uncommon site in port. Another sub-project was the rehabilitation of the international wharf at Port Vila, which included repairs to concrete and steel structures, upgrading corrosion protection measures, and installing a new fender system. Geoff arrived in time to Project Manage the works, which were undertaken by McConnell Dowell Constructors of New Zealand, and was completed in March 2001. The photos at right show construction teams at work on the wharf.
Upgrading of Luganville Water Supply and Drainage
Luganville, the second largest town in Vanuatu, is located on the Island of Santo, an hours flight to the north of Efate. In the past, Luganville has experienced problems with the water quality, supply and drainage. Initially this was one of Geoff's projects, but now Richie Nichols, the other expat. engineer working with Geoff is Project Manager for these contracts. The water supply upgrading was recently completed by Fletcher Constructions from New Zealand. Local firm Road Development Vanuatu completed the drainage upgrading. Unfortunately at present, we don't have any photos of this project.
Replacement of Erakor Bridge
The Erakor Causeway Bridge, is a single lane timber bridge that crosses the narrow waterway that separates Erakor and Emden Lagoons. This project also managed by Richie commenced in May 2001. Issues had to be resolved over custom ownership of land before an alternative access road could be provided to allow vehicular access during the re-construction period, around Emden Lagoon to the village of Erakor. A temporary pedestrian footbridge was also provided to cope with the large amount of foot traffic typical in Vanuatu. The new bridge will be a two lane concrete one, and is being constructed by Fletcher Constructions from New Zealand. The photos at right show the original bridge before removal and the partially completed new bridge.
Port Vila Central Business District Improvements
The CBD has been plagued with traffic congestion, lack of parking and a road pavement rapidly deteriorating. This project, which Geoff is managing, involves the rehabilitation of the roads, and the introduction of one-way ring road traffic system to alleviate the congestion of traffic. The works are being completed by Works Infrastructure Limited of New Zealand. Landscaping and beautification were part of the original project however due to diminishing funds, these components had to be dropped from the scope of works for the project. Fortunately several local business people have come forward to assist with the design and provision of landscaping and private donations have been forth coming towards the supply of palms in planter boxes, and other landscaping. Karen has also been involved in a team of people looking at artistic enhancements such as motifs and carvings. As a result of the CBD project, Geoff has had a higher media profile than he did in Australia. He has appeared on the local television station twice, and has also featured in several newspaper articles. The main street of Port Vila Part of 'Chinatown' this street will be closed to form a pedestrian mall Geoff being interviewed for Vanuatu TV Grading the main street Jack hammers at work Spray sealing the new surface
Management Improvement Plan and Outer Islands
Geoff is also assisting with the finalisation of a Management Improvement Plan for the Public Works Dept. He hopes to assist with the implementation of it, as it involves both Asset Management and staff training, which are two important areas that Geoff particularly enjoys and finds challenging, especially over here. Geoff may also assist Richie with the project management of the Outer Islands Infrastructure Development Project, a new project aimed at assisting the development of the local economies on the outer islands.