The Gold Coast No-Dig Down Under conference and exhibition proved to be a very successful event. The newly introduced training courses were run for the first time and I am sure they will develop further at the next conference. I was pleased to see so many Victorian attendees at No-Dig, showing the strength of the trenchless community in Victoria.
I was fortunate to attend a presentation by the Victorian Treasurer, the Hon Tim Pallas MLC, recently and was heartened by the Victorian Government’s plans for infrastructure investment.
Infrastructure investment in Victoria is on the rise with many significant projects currently in planning with construction following quickly. Some of these projects include:
- Removing 50 Level Crossings
- Widening the Tullamarine
- The Melbourne Metro Rail Project
- The West Gate Distributor Project
- Upgrading Flinders St Station.
The majority of works are in the rail and road sectors, however, all are in congested urban areas and will require trenchless solutions for both asset relocation works and to minimise disruption.
Apart from major and high profile projects, water industry capital programs continue to steadily improve water infrastructure and have a constant program of renewal projects and smaller works in progress.
Leading into the Christmas period, I would like to wish you all a healthy, safe and enjoyable festive season. I look forward to a productive 2016 where collectively we can continue to grow and support the trenchless sector.