FOCUS on Engineering and Infrastructure
High profile solution for a sticky situation
With over 370 million packs of gum chewed by 10 million Australians every
year, chewing gum pollution has become an unsightly epidemic throughout
Australia.
Brisbane City Council has found a highly
innovative, environmentally friendly
solution to combat this – the Gum Removal
Vehicle.
Born from a concept fermented by
Brisbane City Council, together with the
knowhow of Steam Australia Qld Pty
Ltd, the Gum Removal Vehicle uses a
combination of 170 degrees celsius steam,
detergent and a vacuum to dissolve and
suck up chewing gum in just three to five
seconds.
Built in Brisbane and patented by Brisbane
City Council, the rare vehicle comprises a
generator and steam machine on a modified
golf buggy. Gum Removal Vehicle Pty Ltd intends to
It is all electric and can work for up to a week market the vehicle to councils and facilities
throughout Australia and New Zealand. Brisbane City Council uses the Gum Removal Vehicle to quickly
without recharge. and safely remove chewing gum from pavement in its CBD.
The steam equipment is currently run by a Retailing at around $50,000, it has already
silenced generator and uses less than three litres attracted interest from the United Kingdom,
of water per hour. where $400 million was spent cleaning up gum
In comparison, the standard practice of high
pressure washing can use up to 25 litres of water
per minute.
last year.
The United Kingdom and Ireland have
been working on public private partnerships
Technical skills training
High pressure washing also tends to move the
gum onto the road or down storm drains, so a
huge amount is lying in creeks and rivers.
or Business Improvement Districts (BIDs).
BIDs allow the cost of cleanups to be spread
between retailers and businesses that benefit
delivered to your desk*
High pressure washing can also damage some with immediate impact outside their premises. In Local Government technical Pavement Technology and Master of Pavement can be
surfaces and leave very rough textures, which this case, councils take a lead role in organising staff must keep up to date Master of Technology in tailored to suit the needs of
can be dangerous. the spread of costs involved. with advances in the design, Pavements for study period individuals wishing to update
Managing Director of Gum Removal Vehicle, “We recognise that there will be times when construction and maintenance 2 in 2009. their knowledge or become
Richard Purkiss, said the vehicle comes with a a rental will be more appropriate for smaller of road pavements and The courses, which are very more productive in the
brand promise – to ‘educate and eradicate’. councils, airports, universities and so forth, and their asset management and practical, encourage direct workplace.
“There is a need to take gum cleanup out of we will be offering solutions that fit with what environmental impacts. application of the skills and Technical staff employed in
the graveyard shift and shine some light on the a client needs,” Richard Purkiss said. A unique and targeted knowledge acquired. Local Government can gain
problem,” he said. “Of course, there is always the possibility of educational offering – now The application of learnings valuable qualifications in as
“lf we show the public what it is and show corporate sponsorships. Vehicle wraps can be a in its 12th year – is provided to problems in the workplace little as 12 months and be
them the trouble it takes to clean it up, maybe very attractive way to provide unique coverage by the Centre for Pavement is facilitated by the distance able to apply what they learn
we can change some habits.” for sponsors. Engineering Education education format, which directly to their day to day
The unique look and shape of the Gum “Many businesses want to show their green (CPEE). does not require attendance activities.
Removal Vehicle, combined with is high credentials and this is a very high profile ‘doing CPEE is currently accepting at a university or face to face To receive further information,
visibility LED moving message boards, is not talking’ way to show that.” applications for its pavement sessions. email info@pavementeducation.
immediately eye catching. Everyone who sees For further information visit the Gum Removal engineering postgraduate The four unit Graduate edu.au and mention Local
it cannot help but watch what is going on and Vehicle website at www.gumremovalvehicle. programs including the Certificate in Pavement Government Focus.
learn about the problem. com.au Graduate Certificate of Technology and eight unit *Copy supplied by CPEE
Upgrade your skills... and your career prospects!
Chipstar’s 180
Education & Training opportunities MX machine ideal
for local government technical and engineering staff
working in the roads field for those smaller
Post Graduate programs specialising in roads and pavements including:
• Graduate Certificate of Pavement Technology (4 Units)
cleanup jobs *
• Master of Technology (8 Units) • Master of Engineering (12 Units) An interesting trend has emerged with many
operators. They are finding that two chippers are
“With a specialist postgraduate qualification, you’ll possess the the ideal setup for their work requirements – a
high level practical knowledge and skills required for local larger chipper and the Chipstar 180MX machine.
government road projects”
The 7” unit, weighing 1.5 tonnes, is powerful enough and
With over twelve years experience providing education and training both has enough capacity to do all the smaller cleanup jobs on
Nationally and Internationally the Centre for Pavement Engineering roadsides, parks and gardens and line clearance.
Education (CPEE) offer key opportunities to further your career through: It is nimble and easy to tow and has all the functions of a
much larger machine.
• Short courses and Distance Learning programs
Couple this with a reliable 45 hp Kubota engine, centrifugal
• Study Pavement Design, Road Construction, Maintenance, Pavement clutch and kerbside controls and it is quite a package.
Management, Asset Management & Road Environment among other topics The machine is designed and manufactured in Melbourne,
with all components sourced locally.
• Single unit study option also available Parts availability is a big plus reducing annoying down
E NOW time.
Centre for Pavement
Engineering Education ENQUIR Visit www.chipstar.com.au to view Chipstar’s machine
range in greater detail.
Contact Chris Farrelly at CPEE on (03) 9853 3626 or at info@pavementeducation.edu.au *Copy supplied by Chipstar
VRQA Code V01332 log on to www.pavementeducation.edu.au to find out more.
Local Government FOCUS April 2009 Page 26