City of Fort Lauderdale Hosts Australian Delegation to Share Lessons on Infrastrucruture and Disaster Preparedness

The City of Fort Lauderdale welcomed two municipal leaders today from the State of Victoria, Australia, who traveled across the globe to learn how our city is addressing some of the most pressing infrastructure challenges of our time, including aging systems and disaster preparedness.

Simon Harris, Coordinator of Asset Management for Bass Coast Shire Council, and Sumarga Subedi, Strategic Asset Planner for Yarra Ranges Council, visited Fort Lauderdale as part of the 2025 Municipal Engineering Foundation Victoria Overseas Study Tour. Their mission: explore innovative strategies for asset management, disaster recovery, and infrastructure planning that could be adapted for communities in Australia.

City staff shared Fort Lauderdale's approach to:

• Planning for the future by making sure new projects are built to last and withstand future challenges.
• Using advanced technology like mapping tools and data models to predict and prepare for potential hazards.
• Finding creative ways to pay for improvements through grants, partnerships, and other funding sources.
• Tracking results over time to make sure projects continue to protect our community from flooding and severe weather.

"Coastal communities everywhere are facing similar challenges," said Marie Pierce, the City's Stormwater Operations Manager. "Opportunities like this allow us to share what's working here, learn from others, and strengthen our ability to adapt."

The delegation's visit included in-depth discussions with City engineers, planners, and emergency management staff, as well as tours of local infrastructure projects.

For Harris and Subedi, Fort Lauderdale is one of several stops on a North American tour including their participation in the American Public Works Association Public Works Expo in Chicago. Their findings will be compiled into a report for municipal engineers and public works professionals across Victoria.