April’s been a fantastic month for us, full of connections, conversations, and collaboration across Queensland and Victoria. We’ve had the chance to meet with road agencies, local highway authorities, and some incredible business partners, all working towards smarter, more efficient highways.
Essency CEO Scott Bloxsom made the long journey to Australia alongside Gaist’s Steve Birdsall (CEO), and Fiona Birdsall. Together, they had some great discussions around the evolving landscape of highways asset management, particularly in today’s world where funding is constrained but the need for innovation has never been greater. It was inspiring to exchange ideas, share expertise, and explore how technology and smarter data can help us shape better infrastructure for all.
We’re proud to be working alongside Gaist to bring their market-leading roadscape intelligence technology to Australia and New Zealand. This exciting initiative will be run from our asset management office in Brisbane, supported by our expert operational teams in the UK.
One of the highlights of the trip was visiting Toowoomba, also known as the ‘Garden City’. It’s a beautiful and dynamic part of Queensland, home to more than 170,000 people and spanning over 12,000 square kilometres is one of the largest government areas in Australia. Famous for the Carnival of Flowers and its strong agricultural roots, Toowoomba is emerging as a hub for innovation, making it a perfect example of the kind of place we’re excited to support.
At Gaist and Essency, we’re passionate about supporting regions like Toowoomba with the insights and tools to make confident, data-led decisions that bring real value to local communities.
A big thank you from Scott, Steve, and Fiona to everyone who welcomed them and took the time to share their insights. The hospitality was truly appreciated, and here’s hoping this is just the first of many trips to come!
