Australasian insights on fuel crisis impacts across building operations

Australasian insights on fuel crisis impacts across building operations

This is an online session. The link to join will be sent to you upon registration. 

Fuel supply pressures are now flowing through the facilities management sector, with real impacts on service delivery, contractor availability, pricing, and the supply chains that keep buildings operational.

This Trans Tasman online industry check-in brings together facilities management voices from across Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia through the Trans Tasman Facilities Management Alliance (TTFMA). It is an opportunity to share what is being experienced on the ground, how different parts of the sector are responding, and what we can learn from each other in real time.

Set against evolving fuel security settings, policy responses, and supply chain constraints across both countries, this conversation will help connect what is happening at a system level with what is being experienced in buildings every day. While approaches differ across the Tasman, from more formalised fuel security and prioritisation frameworks in Australia to a more market-led and infrastructure-reliant system in New Zealand, many of the operational impacts are being felt in similar ways across both environments.

This is not a formal webinar or advisory session. It is a practical, open conversation designed to connect insights across the sector. The focus is on building a shared understanding of what is unfolding, rather than providing direction or solutions.

We will explore:

• How policy responses, fuel prioritisation and infrastructure constraints may affect essential building services, and where facilities management sits within those decisions
• What facilities managers, contractors and suppliers are experiencing on the ground right now
• Where cost, scheduling, freight and service continuity pressures are emerging across both FM and construction interfaces
• How supply chain responses are showing up, including surcharges, availability constraints, and contract implications
• How facilities managers are responding in the short term to maintain safe, compliant and operational assets
• Where pressure points are creating misalignment in expectations across clients, suppliers and service providers
• What early signals may point to longer-term implications for building operations, asset management and service delivery models

The value is in building a shared picture of what’s unfolding. By connecting insights across the FM ecosystem, we can create a clearer, collective understanding of the current environment and what may come next.

CONTRIBUTORS


Alex Hampshire, Director - Advisory, WT
Alex Hampshire leads the Advisory team behind some of New Zealand’s most significant asset and facilities management projects. 
Specialising in building and infrastructure strategy, procurement, asset data management, strategic asset management, maintenance planning, and lifecycle cost modelling, Alex translates technical complexity into practical benefits for clients. With over 18 years’ experience across both public and private sectors, he brings a whole-of-life approach that helps clients maximize value from their assets — from initial planning and design through to long-term operation. He understands that decisions made early in a project can shape operations for decades to come and is committed to closing the gap between design and delivery. 
Beyond project work, Alex plays an active role in shaping the sector’s future through board positions with the Facilities Management Association of New Zealand, the Property Council, and several national working groups focused on improving asset performance across the built environment. 
A lifelong learner and passionate communicator, he regularly shares thoughtful and candid insights through panels, webinars and conferences. Clients appreciate his clear and direct style, incisive questions and focus on delivering solutions that make a real difference, not just ones that look good on paper.


Andre Klopper, National Facilities Manager, Healthscope
Andre Klopper is a globally recognised leader in facilities and asset management, with more than 26 years’ experience across healthcare, commercial, and retail portfolios worldwide. An award-winning National Facilities Manager, Andre is known for translating asset strategy into enterprise value, resilience, and long-term performance.


Ciaran Cooper, Asset and Facilities Management Team Leader, Dunedin City Council
Ciaran brings a strong multi-disciplinary background to his role leading the Asset and Facilities team at Dunedin City Council. He leads a core team of six staff responsible for delivering repairs and maintenance services across an extensive and diverse property portfolio of more than 1,100 building assets.
The portfolio spans a wide range of community, operational, and investment properties, including community housing, public facilities, libraries, sports and events venues, investment properties, and some of Dunedin’s most iconic civic and cultural sites. These include the Edgar Centre, one of the largest multi-purpose indoor sports facilities in the Southern Hemisphere, alongside the Toitū Otago Settlers Museum, Dunedin Public Art Gallery, Lan Yuan Dunedin Chinese Garden, and the iconic Dunedin Railway Station.
Alongside leading operational maintenance delivery, Ciaran oversees multiple minor capital projects and is responsible for the strategic management of maintenance services and contracts. His focus is on ensuring buildings remain safe, functional, and fit for purpose for both council operations and the wider community.


Mark O'Connell, General Manager - Property & Fleet for St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria
Mark O’Connell is a senior facilities management leader with over 20 years of experience across public, private and not for profit sectors. His career has focused on property, asset and operational leadership, with a strong track record in improving performance across complex portfolios.
As General Manager – Property & Fleet at St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria, Mark leads the strategic management of a diverse property and fleet portfolio. He oversees a diverse vehicle fleet alongside retail, commercial and social housing assets, with a focus on reliability, cost control and service continuity.
His role brings direct exposure to fleet operations in a challenging environment, including fuel price volatility, supply constraints, maintenance pressures and the transition to more sustainable vehicle options. Mark takes a practical approach to balancing operational needs with long term planning, particularly where fleet and facilities intersect.

We look forward to seeing you online.
Jo Duggan, CEO FMANZ and Nick Burt, CEO FMA