Mr Colvin’s award was presented to acknowledge the work that he, as the Chair of the Australian Standards committee for Gas Distribution, has been undertaking on gas distribution standards, covering the planning, design, construction, commissioning and operation of gas distribution networks (currently AS4645, AS1697, AS3723).

Known for his dedication to the development and ongoing review of Standards, Mr Colvin is renowned for his efforts in ensuring community and industry safety is always at the forefront of committee discussions.

The Gas Distribution committee has set an objective of further integrating the existing standards into a suite of gas distribution standards to:

- Provide performance-based requirements for gas distribution network safety, defining important principles during the life cycle of gas distribution networks; - Provide prescriptive, deemed to comply, means of compliance in support of some of those requirements; - Allow for alternative means of compliance that may be also acceptable provided the required safety outcomes can be demonstrated.

Adopting a performance rather than prescriptive approach recognises that one particular standard or way of doing things may not be the best fit for all situations in all networks. Additionally, this approach complements the approach used for the Gas Pipelines standards (AS2885).

Public comments and revisions of the standards are due to be released in early 2008 and the committee is targeting mid to late 2008 for the finalisation of the standards.

Consulting pipeline engineer Philip Venton has also been presented with a Standards Australia Meritorious Contribution Award.

Mr Venton is the current Chairman of ME-038, the overall committee responsible for Petroleum Pipelines, which updates and delivers the standards that are part of the AS2885 suite. Mr Venton is also Chairman of ME-038-1 which recently delivered the newly revised AS2885.1, which covers design and construction of petroleum pipelines.

With over 25 years’ experience in the pipeline industry, Mr Venton has gained a reputation as a highly respected consulting engineer. He specialises in high pressure oil and gas pipeline systems, and the design and operation of long distance slurry transport pipelines.

As Chairman of the Petroleum Pipelines Committee (ME-038), Mr Venton is the driving force behind the suite of Standards for the design and construction of high-pressure pipelines which is considered ‘world leading’.

Mr Venton’s support of the pipeline industry has been described as exemplary. His capacity to continually furnish original ideas, solve problems and resolve conflict by identifying and offering constructive critiques of concepts and documents make him a worthy recipient of this Award. Most recently those attributes were put to use during the massive task of revising AS2885.1, leading to its very successful launch last year.

Paying tribute to Mr Colvin, Mr Venton and other winners, John Castles AM, Chairman of Standards Australia praised the tireless and invaluable efforts of all involved.

“With the rapid expansion of global commerce, technological advancements and community demand for a safe and sustainable environment, Standards Australia is faced with the ongoing task of ensuring appropriate guidelines, measures and systems are put in place, kept up-to-date and address the ever changing needs and expectations,” said Mr Castles.

“Developing Standards draws on the experience and expertise of often time-poor individuals – people whose knowledge and skills are in high demand. We are thankful for their ongoing dedication to industry, Standards Australia and the contribution they make to creating a safe and sustainable environment for Australians at work, at home and at play.”

Each year, Standards Australia takes time to recognise a select number of dedicated committee members for their meritorious involvement in the development of, and contribution to, Australian and International Standards.

Nominations for three awards were invited from committee members working on standards throughout Australia, as well as Standards Australia’s Project Managers. The criteria for selection took into consideration input and participation in meetings and deliberations, contribution to problem solving and conflict resolution, involvement in international Standards work, research work, advocacy of Standards and length of service.