Coffs Harbour turned on three days of beautiful weather for the conference and exhibition, which included some innovative workshops and panels, but the main highlight of the event was the daily live demonstrations. A huge range of innovative equipment from around the world allowed attendees to see firsthand how the machinery works and showcased the importance of using Trenchless Technology. Whether it was the ‘big drills’ or underground inspection methods, delegates were able to get a clear understanding of what it means to be trenchless.

The Platinum Sponsor of the event was Vermeer, Gold sponsor was Interflow and Silver Sponsors were Insituform Pacific and PPI Corporation.

Trenchless in action

A range of trenchless techniques and services were on display and in action for the visitors to the event.

A highlight of the show was Vermeer’s live demonstration of the D20x22 Series II Flex Angle Drill, which has geothermal applications as well as the standard directional drilling capabilities. Curt Dubbin from Vermeer showed off the rig’s capabilities as well as delivering an interesting session to delegates on the possibilities in the geothermal market.

The crowds gathered to watch Interflow demonstrate the rehabilitation of culvert with spiral wound pipe. Ditch Witch Australia put the JT3020AT drill rig through its paces by drilling through →

sandstone with a hammerhead pierce arrow. JB Sales operated the drills of an Astec DD 4045, showing the action of controls by moving the rod loading device and drilling into the ground, then pulling back and returning the rod to the basket.

CCTV equipment for the inspection and condition assessment on display included the IBAK CCTV robotic equipment from Austeck and a manhole survey camera, demonstrated by Kembla Watertech

Kembla also conducted an above-ground demonstration of manhole coating, with specialised spray and cleaning equipment. Relining was also the subject of demonstration from Nuflow Technologies and ITS Trenchless. Nuflow used an air compressor and hoses to internally line drinking water pipe with epoxy coating while ITS used a small scale rig model to demonstrate the Swagelining process.

An impressive booth from Humes displayed the jointing of HDPE lining.

Every facet of the installation and repair of underground networks was on display. Ridge Tool Australia offered visitors the opportunity to try out location and inspection equipment, JetVac Equipment had the Ring-O-Matic Hydro Excavator for vacuum excavation on display and Australian Pipeline Supplies conducted demonstrations of junction repair, inversion and patch repair.

Veolia Network Services demonstrated sonar and location equipment, manhole rehabilitation, and a push rod camera. Kenkar Plastics showed visitors both butt welding and electrofusion of PE pipe with epoxy coating. Mud Puppy recycling equipment was on display at the DTH stand and ADG Global Supply showed off the dual motion shale-shaker.

Over 50 companies exhibited at the event; a sign the trenchless industry is healthy and not just accepted by the mainstream but is becoming the choice of the underground infrastructure industry.

Trenchless talk

The technical program for delegates at Trenchless Live featured project case studies, detailed discussion on both installation and repair techniques and the future of the trenchless industry in Australasia and around the world. Many experts gathered to discuss tunnelling, HDD, relining, geothermal and more.

In the keynote breakfast sessions, successful asset management programs were discussed by IPWEA CEO Chris Champion while Coffs Harbours’ Glenn O’Grady and Warwick Tidswell addressed delegates on successful relationship building. Curt Rondeau from Visionstream discussed the huge opportunities for the industry as the National Broadband Network is rolled out.

Currently IPWEA is providing national training programs in infrastructure asset management, expanding into buildings, and publishing a range of practice notes to assist practitioners in the field.

In August 2011, IPWEA had their biennial International Public Works Conference, held in Canberra with a theme of “Public Works – Capital Solutions”.

In Mr Champion’s opinion of what the future holds for the public works sector in Australia, he sees an increase in recognition by the community that good infrastructure is critical to standard of living.

“The community is also realising that governments are not putting sufficient investment into maintaining and developing our roads and other transport systems, our electricity grids, water systems and the like. The future for public works in delivering sustainable infrastructure is certainly going to increase. The new emphasis will be on sustainably delivering services.”

The toolbox sessions also provided an in-depth look at projects that included the use of trenchless solutions.

Three Towns Sewerage Scheme

Mark Nethery and Danny Tamburini from John Holland Group were joined by John Stuart-Robertson from AJ Lucas, Trevor Cox from Codmah and Trevor Matthews from Sydney Water to deliver a presentation on the multimillion dollar improvements, as part of the NSW Government’s Priority Sewerage Program.

The project included the extensive use of HDD to connect residents and businesses with a reticulated sewerage system, northwest of Sydney. Over 116 km of pipeline, including a 760 m drive under the Hawkesbury Drive made this a fascinating presentation for the delegates. Mr Nethery provided details about the extent of the project, which had 38 km of reticulated pipeline, 18 km of transfer mains and 1,600 property installations.

The drilling rigs chosen to complete the property connections was the Vermeer D6x6, a “fabulous little rig for the little stuff” said the project team. The 24x40 was used for soft to medium rock and the D100x120 is a larger rig for longer bores and all ground conditions.

Delegates asked many questions of the panel, and discussion continued in to morning tea.

Melbourne Main Sewer Replacement (MMSR)

Tuesday morning was the Tunnelling Toolbox Session presented by Peter Clarke from Melbourne Water, Nick Lewis from John Holland Group, Nadine Makin from GHD and George Fisher from Aurecon presented a fascinating insight into the ground-breaking work being accomplished on the MMSR using a tunnel boring machine.

The MMSR is replacing 2.3 km of sewer mains, built in the 1890s. The area’s geology includes the Quaternary formations comprising Fishermans Bend silt, Coode Island silt and Port Melbourne sand. Coode Island silt is especially notorious as it makes tunnelling very difficult. Extensive planning, including the development of 3D modelling, was completed before the project commenced to ensure both the tunnelling and the wet cofferdam could be completed successfully.

For more information on this project visit the website www.trenchless-australasia.com

This project was a finalist in the ASTT Project of the Year Award – congratulations to all companies involved.

Relining – Long-term Sewer Rehabilitation Contract

On Wednesday morning after the Gala Dinner delegates gathered to hear a case study from Yarra Valley Water (YVW) about the long-term sewer rehabilitation project with Interflow. YVW services 1.76 million people via a network of 9,000 km of water and 9,000 km of wastewater pipe. The panel was made up of Peter French from YVW and David Dodemaide and John Monro from Interflow.

The benefits of this type of contract include:

• A better relationship between client and contractor
• The contract can be changed to reflect changing circumstances
• The development of trust and understanding between client and contractor
• Certainty for the contractor
• Innovation in work processes
• Saves costs in putting out tenders
• Provides flexibility to handle urgent works.

The presentation concluded with a case study about the rehabilitation of lines located in an environmentally and socially valued area, Merri Creek. The contract allowed for an expanded scope of works for maximum efficiency and good community relationships.

Super Panel

The Super Panel was held on Tuesday afternoon offering a fantastic opportunity to discuss what is going on in the industry and an open forum to tackle and address the tough questions. Trevor Gosatti chaired the panel comprised of Lance Horlyck → from SASTTI JV, John Monro from Interflow, Alan Sutton from Kembla, David Cook, Chris Geehman and Jim Rankin from Vermeer. The Panel addressed questions including:

• What actions can be taken to prevent frac-out in HDD?
• What is being done with regards to a nationally accepted training mechanism/qualification for the operation of trenchless equipment?
• How would HDD be suitable for the installation of a deep ocean outfall say 1 km out to sea?
• We have a vibrant, mature and world leading trenchless sewer renewal industry in Australia and NZ. However, water main renewal continues to be dominated by traditional dig and replace techniques ahead of trenchless methods. What can the industry do to accelerate the shift towards trenchless methods in the water main renewal market?

The Super Panel was a resounding success; therefore this will be a feature of future conferences. To submit your questions for 2011 visit www.nodigdownunder.com.au/program_questionbank.php.

Geothermal session

Curt Dubbin from Vermeer discussed the emerging opportunities in geothermal for the drilling industry. Legislative support in the US has created competitive conditions for the installation of looped geothermal for heating and cooling. There are massive savings for consumers in bills once the system is installed. Delegates were very interested in learning about the methods of installation and the growth predicted in this area.

Bringing the industry together

Coffs Harbour inspired fantastic social events, creating a friendly atmosphere and great opportunities to for participants to network and kick back.

The Cocktail Party, sponsored by Insituform Pacific, was held outdoors and was very well attended.

PPI Corporation sponsored the Happy Hour on Tuesday afternoon in the indoor exhibition area, a great opportunity to enjoy a drink and visit the booths.

The Gala Dinner and Awards Evening was cowboy-themed with many taking the opportunity to don a Stetson or Akubra and boots. Chris Bland welcomed guests and introduced Coffs Harbour Deputy Mayor Denise Knight. Cr Knight was interested to learn about the benefits of Trenchless Technology from ASTT Chairman Trevor Gosatti and will certainly be recommending the trenchless solution for her council. A highlight of the evening was the mechanical bull – proving a challenge to those game enough to give it a go!

Industry recognition

The ASTT 2010 awards were presented at the Gala Diner. The projects were judged on innovation, use of new technology, environmental benefits and health and safety by the ASTT council.

Project of the Year – Installation

The winner of the award was the Brightmore Reserve Project. The client was SewerFix Wet Weather Alliance and the contractor was UEA. See page 32 of the October edition of Trenchless Australasia magazine for a detailed report on the winning project. The other finalists were:

• Melbourne Main Sewer Replacement (MMSR) Caisson Construction – Contractor John Holland Group for Melbourne Water
• NetWorks Alliance Project – Sydney Water, Bovis Lendlease, CLM and Veolia
• Stones Corner jacking shaft – Humes and Brisbane City Works
.

Project of the Year – Rehabilitation

The winner of the award was the Serpentine Creek Siphon Rehabilitation project, the client was Goulburn Murray Water and the Contractor was Interflow. Other finalists were:

• Reline of Asbestos Downpipes – Trenchless Pipeline Rehabilitation
• Rehabilitation of Dudley, Charlestown Wastewater system, Kahibah – Kembla Watertech
• Rehabilitation of New South Head Road Oviform Main, Point Piper 1 – Kembla Watertech
• Northern Suburbs Ocean Outfall Sewer (NSOOS) Rehabilitation of Burns Bay and Gore Creek Aqueducts – Water Infrastructure Group.

Winning project report

Interflow overcame a major set of engineering challenges to successfully rehabilitate a 3.3 m diameter concrete siphon 31.5 m long within a very tight time frame in response to an urgent request for its client, Goulburn Murray Water.

The concrete siphon runs below Serpentine Creek in an agricultural area near Bendigo, Victoria. The deteriorated structure required renewal during a short shutdown period.

The siphon was rehabilitated by installing a 3 m diameter spiral wound pipe made from steel reinforced polyethylene strip with a novel feature that allowed the bend to be lined. After the liner had been installed it was grouted in place and the ends rendered smooth.

Young Person of the Year:

This award is to recognise and encourage the involvement of young people in the industry. Steve Apeldoorn was the recipient of this year’s award.

Steve Apeldoorn

Steve has worked in the trenchless industry for more than ten years. Initially he was employed by a contractor, running pipe bursting and CCTV crews.

Eight years ago, he was one of the founding directors of ProjectMax Ltd, → an engineering consultancy that specialises in providing advice, assessment, training and design for the trenchless industry.

Steve has served as the New Zealand Councillor for ASTT for the previous two years. During this time he has increased the membership in New Zealand. He has assisted Infratrain develop and instigate new training standards for HDD in New Zealand and is currently working on other standards that will benefit the trenchless industry.

Person of the Year

This award recognises a person for the dedication and commitment to the ASTT and the trenchless industry. This year’s recipient is Chris Geehman.

Chris has contributed significantly to the trenchless industry in Australia over many years of dedicated support.

Chris is a civil engineer who graduated from Monash University in 1973 and has been involved in the design and construction of parts of Melbourne’s water supply and sewerage systems for over 30 years. Up until 2007 he had worked for six Government Departments/Water Boards with the last one being at South East Water Limited, which he joined when it was formed in 1995. He has had a number of senior management positions including Manager Asset Creation and Manager Major Projects and when he left in 2007 was Manager Water Supply Design.

ASTT Secretary Jeff Pace said “I can still recall meeting Chris back in the mid-1990s when I went to South East Water to gather information about their Quality, OSH and Environmental Management Systems that they had in place. My memory of this experience was that I found Chris to be a complete gentleman who provided me with more information on these items than I had ever imagined I would receive. The way he provided the information was in his usual way delivered in a very polite manner.

“Later when he became the Victorian Councillor in 2006, I was not surprised to see that his approach to helping others had not changed and that he was still definitely a genuine guy that continues to out of his way to provide added value to others. I was absolutely delighted to see his name put forward as the ASTT Person of the Year.”

Chris’ contributions include:

• Development of the first Schedule of Rates contract to deliver sewer relining by a major Water Authority in Australia
• Facilitated the introduction of new Trenchless Technology via close co-operation with Australian Underground Technologies
• Served as the ASTT Councillor for Victoria
• Undertaken various training courses in Trenchless Technology
• Promoted trenchless solutions in general
• Working on multimillion dollar projects including water and sewer reticulation, pumping stations, major water mains such as Stage 1 Cardinia-Frankston Pipeline from Cardinia Reservoir to Berwick and also the 10 km Hallam Valley Main Sewer extension

John Monro from Interflow said “Chris is one of the gentlemen of the industry. He combines his wealth of knowledge and experience with a practical approach to getting things done and it has been a pleasure to have been associated with him over the years.”

Chris said he was “very surprised and humbled by the award.”

Trenchless in 2011 and beyond

We look forward to seeing you next year at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from 3–6 October for No-Dig Down Under. The Call for Papers has opened for No Dig Down Under 2011 – submit your abstract for consideration now. Visit www.nodigdownunder.com.au for all the details.

In 2012, Trenchless Live will return, stay tuned for more details – coming soon.