Over the past few months, Australia’s Surveying & Spatial Sciences Institute (SSSI) has been consulting with its members and the wider surveying and spatial sector regarding a proposed merger with the Spatial Industries Business Association (SIBA|GITA).
Yesterday, at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held in Canberra on the sidelines of the Locate22 conference, SSSI members were given the opportunity to vote on several resolutions to endorse the SSSI board and management to continue preparations for the merger.
A summary of the three resolutions tabled include:
- Changes to the SSSI Constitution which will enable SSSI to amalgamate with another body or group, to take any gift of property and to transfer or purchase assets, property, liabilities etc if SSSI is authorised to amalgamate with another body.
- The amalgamation of SSSI with SIBA|GITA is approved in principle.
- SSSI directors and management can seek legal and financial advice in preparation of a potential amalgamation.
The majority of members attending the EGM voted in favour of the proposed changes to the SSSI Constitution and gave approval for the SSSI board and management to continue discussions with SIBA|GITA for a potential merger.
This was not a binding vote for the merger to proceed, but it gives the SSSI board and executive members approval to continue planning for a possible merger with SIBA|GITA. Members will be invited to vote on the proposed merger later in 2022.
“We are pleased that the result of our EGM today signifies that our members are strongly supportive of the direction SSSI is heading and understand the need for a peak organisation that presents both individuals and businesses within the surveying and spatial sector,” said Paul Digney, President, SSSI.
“With so many challenges facing our sector, particularly around the need to build workforce capability and capacity, we need to work collaboratively with the whole surveying and spatial sector to champion reform and see significant change.”
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