The first combined conference between the ASTT and the New Zealand Water & Wastes Association in 2003 was a great success. Trenchless Technology was introduced to a wide range of people and the benefits of partner/alliance contracting - the theme of the keynote address and several of the papers presented at the conference - were promoted to attendees.

The conference creates an opportunity for trenchless practitioners to get together, look at new technologies and different techniques and discuss industry issues in both a business and social environment. The combined nature of this event creates an opportunity for trenchless practitioners to meet a significant number of key infrastructure and network managers in one place at one time, an opportunity not to be missed.

Iplex Pipelines Ltd has long supported the ASTT and this year they were keen to be involved with the sponsorship of the ASTT Keynote address. We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge their support of our continuous learning program.

Keynote speaker

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Samuel Ariaratnam has accepted the ASTT’s invitation to present the Iplex Pipelines NZ Ltd keynote address at this conference.

Samuel is on the Board of Directors of the North American Society for Trenchless Technology and is chair of the Underground Construction Committee, American Society of Civil Engineers. He is also on the Construction Division Executive, Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE), Construction Research Council, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and on the Program Committee, No-Dig Conference 2005 amongst other organisations and committees.

At the recent Damage Prevention Conference he presented a joint paper with Grady Bell “How HDD Contractors Are Preventing Hits”, while his UCT paper was titled “See-Behind Technology for Lined Pipeline Assessment”. Later this year, Samuel will present a joint paper with Robert Webb and Aimee Conroy, “Utilising SSET with GPR for Assessing Large Diameter Lined Concrete Sewers” at the NASTT. At this conference Samuel is also presenting a short course on trenchless new construction techniques and a two day seminar on pipe bursting.

While the title of his address has yet to be confirmed, with this impressive background and industry knowledge delegates are sure to be informed and entertained by his keynote address.

Call for Papers

The call for papers is now out and organisers are hoping for a top effort from the trenchless industry to help promote the wide range of solutions available to the infrastructure industry.

The ASTT Conference program will start on the Tuesday with an industry breakfast and a short presentation from Samuel, followed by the traditional No-Dig golf tournament at one of Auckland’s best golf courses. The No-Dig live display will be held on Thursday in Auckland, with an opportunity for ASTT members to promote their solutions by taking up a promotional booth for the duration of the conference.

September is not far away, so make a note of these dates in your dairy now. From a cost perspective, trans-Tasman travel has never been cheaper and the New Zealand members of the ASTT look forward to seeing Australian members in September.