History
The Association was first established in 1968 and began primarily as an association representing Contractor interests. During the mid-1970s, however, it became apparent to many within the rapidly expanding and changing pipeline industry that a structure bringing together and representing all sectors of the industry would be more beneficial to the industry participants. And so, the basis of the present-day APIA was created and the Association has now grown to a diverse membership base with more than 400 members including contractors, owners, operators, advisers and engineering companies and suppliers of pipeline products and services.
For most of its history, APIA was managed through a part-time secretariat, however, this changed in January 1998 when the organisation moved to Canberra, employing a full-time Chief Executive and administrative team comprising of a Business Manager, Membership Officer, Functions/Administration Officer plus a part-time Research and Technical Policy Manager and an Accounts Administrator. In 2007, a full time Policy Adviser was appointed to enable APIA to comment and advise on the increasing number of issues facing the industry and its members.
Over this time, APIA and its members have successfully managed tremendous growth in the length and capacity of Australia’s transmission pipeline system which has more than trebled from 9,000km in 1989, to over 17,000km in 2001, to 33,186km today.