The Australasian Society for Trenchless Technology (ASTT)’s combined Council and Annual General Meeting (AGM) for 2023 will be held in April in the Mornington Boardroom at Prime Creative Media.
Race car spreads industry safety slogan
Operators in municipal works, including trenchless contractors working on crossing under and around roads, are set to benefit from a safety slogan in an unexpected place – a TA2 Mustang.
Trenchless industry celebrates IWD
The trenchless industry has come together to celebrate the women who help keep the industry running.
Municipal Works Australia opens conference registration
The 29th National Municipal Works & Engineering Conference 2023 will be held on 23 and 24 March in Bendigo, and is open to all operators in the municipal work sector.
Steve Apeldoorn shares industry insights
Trenchless Australasia’s Q&A segment, Trenchless Pioneers, is designed to celebrate the achievements and growth of the no-dig industry. February’s pioneer is Steve Apeldoorn, Company Director and Principal Engineer of ProjectMax. This is his story.
Community is key in NSW no-dig industry
Trenchless operators in New South Wales have shown a strong sense of community, sharing product knowledge, technology, and expertise to ensure success and development in no-dig projects and asset management.
Webuild works towards Clough acquisition
Webuild has signed the contract to acquire Clough’s assets, an agreement that places the group among the biggest in Australia.
No-Dig Down Under 2023 sponsorship positions filling fast
No-Dig Down Under is the southern hemisphere’s only large-scale conference and exhibition dedicated to trenchless technology, and it is back in 2023 with support with some of the trenchless industry’s experts.
Vacancies for election to the ASTT Council
In Accordance with item 7c of the Constitution, election to Council shall be as follows:
HDD insurance in the face of climate change
Horizontal directional drilling is seen as one of the higher risk areas in the infrastructure sector. Climate change is further increasing this risk as extreme weather events become more frequent.
Denso: anti-corrosion measures tailor-made for every solution
Denso Australia offers the complete range of corrosion prevention technologies to its customers.
AI detection for leaks beneath Sydney streets
Collaboration between Sydney Water and the University of Technology Sydney has resulted in new artificial intelligence (AI) technology to detect potential water main leaks and breaks, avoiding costly pipe failures.
Trelleborg acquires I.S.T.
Trelleborg Group has finalised its acquisition of the business operations of I.S.T. Innovative Sewer Technologies (I.S.T.) as of the beginning of December. Read more
No-Dig Down Under announces platinum sponsor
Rob Carr has been announced as the platinum sponsor for No-Dig Down Under 2023, attaching its name to the southern hemisphere’s only large-scale conference and exhibition dedicated to trenchless technology.
Service your machine with the experts from Vermeer Australia
Servicing can be hard to fit into the busy schedule of an owner/operator, but Vermeer Australia makes the process easy for customers, offering support throughout the whole process.
Watercare kicking off $20 m wastewater upgrade
SAERTEX-LINER H₂O Proves itself again in the rehabilitation of 2.4 km Potable Water Pipeline in Poland
With firm confidence in the innovative technology from over 100 successful installation projects worldwide, SAERTEX-LINER® H₂O has been selected again for the rehabilitation of a 2.4 km long water supply pipeline in Bełchatów, Poland.
Leading relining product selected for important European pipeline rehabilitation
SAERTEX-LINER® H₂O, which has been successfully installed more than 100 times around the world, will be used to reline an important 2.4 km pipeline in Poland.
TBM Community Day on Victoria’s Big Build
To celebrate the imminent launch of the Metro Tunnel Project’s first tunnel boring machine (TBM), Rail Projects Victoria and the Metro Tunnel Creative Program provided an on-site activation.
There’s nothing boring about underground tunnels
Underneath every major city across the globe are networks upon networks of underground tunnels – many are used daily by commuters on trains or light-rail or even travelling by road.
Picote Solutions Extends its Range with Battery Operated Solutions for Domestic Plumbers
The Picote Solutions name is firmly cemented in the trenchless industry for their game-changing pipeline rehabilitation solutions, but their latest range has demonstrated their ability to pivot to meet the needs of their customers working as contractors or small business owners.
Tom, International Business Development Manager from Picote Solutions UK loves the Picote Battery Powered Mini Cleaner for “its versatility in the house. This piece is ideal for anyone doing internal plumbing. Any domestic plumber should have a tool like this in their arsenal.”
This unit comes with a detachable foot control, which allows for hands-free operation, and the stepless speed control of the foot pedal offers high speed and high torque operation at between 800 and 2200 rpm. This is an extremely effective unit for cleaning, descaling and root cutting in pipes from DN32-75.
Most impressively, the unit operates independent of a power outlet, eliminating leads and cords as potential trip hazards and minimising disruption to homeowners.
Furthermore, if a power source is available close by battery charging can be undertaken even when the units are in operation.
Also in the battery range is the Picote Battery Powered Mini Miller which has undergone a complete redesign and gear box upgrade from previous models. Contrary to the traditional powered versions, the Battery Powered Mini Miller is cordless and can operate for up to 3 hours continuously with its standard battery, helping to reduce worksite footprints.
Most impressively, the redesign has increased the capabilities and productivity of the unit, making it even more effective in cleaning, descaling and root removal in smaller pipes from DN50–100. The units are also efficient in cutting and reinstatement works in pipes from DN50–75.
Similarly, to the Battery Powered Mini Cleaner, this unit has a dedicated high-speed and high-torque motor with stepless speed control and an electric safety clutch.
According to Tom, from Picote Solutions UK; “the Battery Powered Mini Miller is much more versatile than the powered version. The power delivery is much smoother and is now more powerful than ever before, cleaning up to DN100 pipes.”
Next up in the battery range is the Picote Hybrid Midi Roller. This Hybrid Midi Roller is for impregnating CIPP liners from DN50-225. This lightweight, compact unit can be powered by the integrated battery or plugged in and charged during use.
The built-in high-performance battery, with approximately 10 hours of working time, allows you to work anywhere without access to electricity.
All three of these battery-operated units have been developed to put the user in control and provide rapid but thorough renovation and cleaning regardless of where you are, making them a great choice for small businesses conducting domestic plumbing work.
Dawn Greig, Senior Director at Picote Solutions said: “With the growing drive towards net zero and the need from contractors to be able to access worksites that have limited or no direct power supply, Picote Solutions battery-powered options are truly the way forward.”
Picote Solutions versatility and innovation are just some of the many reasons Pipe Core are distributors for the complete range, ensuring our customers in Australia and New Zealand have the right product for any job, along with full support, service, repairs, training, and product demonstrations.
Not sure what piece of equipment is right for you? Browse online here or reach out to Pipecore team so they can help with training and support to ensure you pick the right piece of equipment to grow your business.
Explore the full Miller range here.
For more information, click here.
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Written by Laura Walter, Marketing and Events Coordinator, Pipe Core.
After the storm: what the floods have taught us
The feedback from water managers around recent flood events has been characterised by shock and awe.
City Rail Link’s TBM is full steam ahead under Auckland
City Rail Link’s (CRL) tunnel boring machine (TBM) is as busy as ever as it progresses upwards to 42 m below the surface of Auckland, travelling toward Mercury Lane as progress on the momentous project continues.
Vermeer HDD is a fab addition to Irrifab
Thompson’s Irrifab (TI) was started in 1985 by Ray and Greg Thompson, based out of Cowra, in the Central West of New South Wales.
The business started out as a farm irrigation service, providing local farms with support on pivot irrigation, stock water systems and turf watering. Then about 10 years ago, they decided to branch out and grow the business in the civil irrigation and pipeline space.
Doug Walker is one of the Civil Project Supervisors at TI and has been working with the business for about two years. He says the decision to expand into civil work was made because it offers a big opportunity for growth.
“There was a lot of work going in council pipeline projects, watermain replacements, and building out pump stations, so we have invested and grown that part of the business over the last few years,” Doug says.
Part of that growth has seen TI recently add a brand-new Vermeer D8x12 HDD to its fleet of excavators and skid steers, which will be put to work on the smaller jobs that would usually be contracted out.
“It’s been hard to contract out our small, local jobs lately, as the labour and appetite just isn’t there. So, we decided to invest in the business, bring in a machine, and train ourselves up so we could do the work ourselves,” he says.
The Vermeer D8x12 HDD offers the strength of a large drill with the compact body and enhanced performance of a small drill. The D8x12 comes with straightforward controls, a narrow footprint and enhanced power with less sound disruption, and is ideal for small service installation, such as gas distribution, power, water, and telecommunication networks. Walker says that before the D8x12 is put to work, he and the team will finish their training on the drill, provided by Vermeer Australia.
“We’ve organised five days of training on the new rig, to get us across how to best use it, and the safety features. Then we’ll be putting it to work first on under road boring work in the local area,” Walker says.
“The Vermeer Australia team has been great, and a special thanks to our rep Kevin and the Albury team here. They’ve really supported us in our first purchase, making sure the team is comfortable with the drill, and answering any questions we have. Once we put it to work and see how it performs, we may look at adding another one to our fleet in the future.”
For more information visit Vermeer Australia’s website.
This article featured in the June edition of Trenchless Australasia.
50 m long mural dazzles Mannum to Adelaide pipeline
In collaboration with the Murray River, Lakes and Coorong Tourism Alliance, the Mid-Murray Council and Palmer’s Collier Park Community Association, South Australian artist Jack Fran has painted a mural on a 50 m section of the Mannum to Adelaide pipeline.
The 87 km long pipeline delivers raw River Murray water to SA Water’s drinking water treatment plant in Anstey Hill, before being distributed to thousands of customers across metropolitan Adelaide.
SA Water’s general manager of strategy, engagement and innovation Sandra Ricci said SA Water will continue to investigate ways to visually improve infrastructure for the benefit of the community.
“The Mannum to Adelaide Pipeline plays a critical role in delivering water to thousands of our customers, and we recognise the concrete exterior provides the perfect canvas for large-scale art projects for locals and passers-by through the region,” said Ricci.
“Taking just five days to paint, the artwork recognises the area’s amazing achievement of being recognised as the River Murray Dark Sky Reserve – one of only fifteen located around the world, and the only recognised dark sky reserve in Australia.
“This is an excellent example of people across the community working together to conceive yet another tourism attraction to the region, and to see the final product adorning the pipeline for everyone to enjoy is a credit to Jack and his talents.”
Tourism development manager with the Murray River, Lakes and Coorong Tourism Alliance, Bill Nehmy said the artwork would be a great benefit to the areas tourism sector.
“The River Murray area already has a diverse and popular range of silo artworks in Karoonda and Coonalpyn, and this piece provides yet another addition to this art trail,” said Nehmy.
“This will be a drawcard to bring tourists to our region for years to come, and we are excited for everyone to enjoy the end result.”
Click here to check out the expansive 50 m mural on SA Water’s socials.
Subscribe to Trenchless Australasia for the latest project and industry news.
kwik-ZIP reflects on 2022 No-Dig
Reflecting on the 2022 conference, kwik-ZIP expressed that it was fantastic to be able to see so many current customers and connect with new contacts within the industry, particularly after the difficulties faced by all over the past few years with the lack of face to face opportunities.
“Thanks to our loyal customers for taking the time to stop by our booth to say hello. We look forward to working with you all in the new financial year ahead.”
Used and recommended by pipeline and civil contractors around the world, kwik-ZIP centraliser and spacer systems are solving production casing centralisation challenges throughout the pipeline industry.
kwik-ZIP maintains a focus on price effectiveness, simplicity, and rapid on-site assembly, to ensure that our systems deliver significant cost, time and operational advantages to our customers.
kwik-ZIP’s spacers and centralisers have a segmented design, meaning they can be fit to an extensive range of pipe diameters with the addition of multiple segments.
Available in various product series (including HDXT, HDX, HD, GT, 380, and 155), each series is also available with varying bow/runner heights, making these highly flexible products.
Kwik-ZIP spacers series HDX and HDXT are the only casing spacers on the market that have been approved as compliant by WSAA.
For any specific project requirements that kwik-ZIP can assist you with or if you have any questions regarding its products please contact the company at sales@kwikzip.com or www.kwikzip.com.