Southern African Projects
The following is a resume of the design and construction experience gained by Rob Collins whilst in Southern Africa:
1992 – 2001
Own Company
Provision of technical design, documentation and project management services to local consultants on numerous urban and rural projects involving water, sanitation, roads, storm water drainage and community buildings.
1986 – 1992
Secondment to Department of Works – Coastal Region
Promoted to the post of Regional Engineer in September 1990 and had the added responsibilities for the upkeep and maintenance of rural hospitals and clinics, urban and rural water and sanitation treatment plants, urban township infrastructure services and rural schools. During this appointment, Rob had over 40 consultants and/or architects under his control.
Held the post of Regional Roads Engineer (1986 – 1990) and responsible for:
- Establishment of a maintenance staff and equipment structure suitable to perform the function of maintaining the rural road network (300km).
- Preparation of annual budgets for capital rehabilitation and maintenance projects.
- Coordination of private sector Consultants and Contractors.
- Extensive flooding took place in 1987/88 causing severe damage and the loss of several kilometres of road and infrastructure. To re-open the transportation system and re-establish access to hospitals, clinics and food outlets, over R 30m was expended under my control and guidance in less than 18 months.
1985 – 1986
AA Loudon & Partners (South Africa)
Mapping and condition assessments of all the rural roads of the coastal region of Natal This involved the inspection of each road, drainage culverts, pavement condition, traffic loading, road usage, etc. From the database created, a pavement management system was developed to accurately identify priorities in respect of annual capital upgrading and maintenance requirements.
1983 – 1985
Campbell Bernstein & Irving (South Africa)
Resident Engineer on the construction of the ‘land portion’ of a land/sea effluent outfall pipeline for the Mhlatuze Water Board in Richards Bay. This project comprised a pipeline of 1200mm dia. HDPE and the construction of Glass Fibre pressure release towers.
Resident Engineer on a contract in Swaziland involving the construction of a reinforced concrete support structure for a pressure diffuser washer for the treatment of paper pulp.
1980 – 1983
AA Loudon & Partners (South Africa)
Assistant Resident Engineer on the construction of main road in mountainous terrain between Swartberg and Kingscote in Natal Province; Resident Engineer on the construction of main road in dune sands between Hluhluwe and False Bay in Natal Province; Resident Engineer on the construction of main road between National Road N2 and Nseleni in Natal Province including a large bridge with bored piles.
1969 – 1980
City Engineers Department – Salisbury (Rhodesia)
Joined as a school leaver in the capacity of Technical Assistant.
Experience comprised design and supervision of infrastructural services by departmental units, budgetary control and cash flow projections, in 1980 promoted to Departmental Head in the capacity of Acting Chief Civil Engineering Technician.