The History, Achievements, Challenges and Future of the Utility Arborist Association of Australia

1. The History, Achievements,
Challenges and Future
Presentation by - Mark Willcocks and Craig Hallam

2. Introduction
• Craig was the instigator of the bringing together a
working group to discover if their was value in
starting a new industry focused group for Utility
Vegetation Management
• Mark had been a member of the US UAA for years
and had promised Craig if he could start a
Australian industry group he would ensure success
by engaging existing contractors and utilities
• In the US the UAA for a long time was exclusive for
the Utility employees only, no contractors. In
Australia it was the contractors who instigated the
UAAA
Mark (47 years) and Craig (38 years) are two of the original
contractors that are still working in the industry. There are very few
others still involved today from the pre 1985 era
MW

3. Initial Vision
• To improve the safety, work practices and knowledge
for all workers in the electrical vegetation industry
through better education and whole industry
awareness.
• To create a transparent open forum and encourage
proactive interaction between the Utilities, Contractors
and other Government agencies building a
understanding of all tree managers compliance and
environmental needs
• Create a annual education forum for the Utility
Vegetation Management industry focused on integration
through sharing experiences, innovation and best
practices.
• To become the Industry lead advisor for IVM best
practices across Australia
CH

4. History of UAAA
• 2005 commence discussion with UAA in USA about
forming a formal relationship
• 2006 Inaugural meeting and joint conference
• Signing of MoU between Australia and the USA.
• 2007 First stand alone stream at the Arboriculture
Australia annual conference in Perth. About 30 delegates
registered for the Utility sessions
• 2010 Negotiate a new working partnership with Energy
Network Association
• 2011 ISA UAA International Conference – Parramatta.
This was a key turning point that brought the world Utility sector together
to discuss Integrated Vegetation Management Practices.
CH

5. Achievements
– Utilities are now key players on many industry
committees
– UAAA articles in the Arboriculture Australia magazine
“the Bark” educating the whole industry
– UAAA organising their speakers for the annual
conference, providing more diverse educational
presentations and excellent networking opportunities.
– Conference utility delegate numbers rising annually
(2019 - ~150 Utility sector representatives attended the annual conference)
– Partnership with ENA is continues to grow
– Providing strong financial income to Arboriculture
Australia’s annual sponsorship program and operations
MW

6. Future
• Regional education and safety events?
• ENA annual conference, more vegetation?
• More Australian content of Utility management
in magazine, do we need our own newsletter
• Focus growth of UAAA to cater for all Utilities
including Gas, Water, Telecommunications, Rail
and Roads
• R&D
• UAAA to employ their own staff driving the
industry forward and allowing volunteers to do
what they do best by focusing on industry
development, not administration
CH

7. Industry Challenges
• Senior Management of Utilities understanding
that Vegetation needs significant investment
into continued R&D
• Insurance
• Human resources to fill skill shortages
• More science behind regulation for tree pruning
around powerlines in the Urban and Rural
environment
• Climate change, additional risks but also the
additional value placed on vegetation
• Weeds and disease. Utility access is a pathway
for both MW