The event was successful on a number of fronts, including the innovation applied to the expansion of the application of Trenchless Technology through reaching out to potential and future users. This involved sponsoring 75 delegates from currently non-participating countries, and conducting a “Day of Youth” where some 370 school children were given a fascinating introduction to how technology can be applied in a most useful way.
The statistics are always interesting, showing there had been 1700 delegates and visitors, 1360 of whom came from Germany and the remaining 340 coming from some 37 countries. There were 58 commercial exhibitors occupying 1500 square metres and a further 50 square metres outside. The latter being extraordinarily hardy, given the near freezing temperatures and windy sleet that seemed to come straight from the North Pole!
A new feature at this Event was a series of 7 Affiliated Society workshops. The objective of these workshops was to provide a summary of technological advancements and case studies particular to each national society. A wonderful atmosphere was created through having the presentations set in an environment reflecting the culture, music (in some cases), food and wine of each of the national societies which participated. These workshops were popular and well attended.
A packed, concurrently run program provided:
“¢ Thirty presentations of the highest standard grouped into areas of interest to provide maximum value to participants;
“¢ A total of 17 workshops with 24 lectures each to discuss national and other approaches to common issues;
“¢ Poster presentations during coffee breaks;
“¢ The opportunity to participate in demonstration sites; and,
“¢ A social program that matched the high standards previously set by GSTT at such events.
The opening session included the presentations of the No-Dig Awards for 2003. There are four categories in these awards, with the major award for the Project category being shared by the Cergy-Pontoise Trenchless Multitechniques project in France, and the Marianske Lazne sewer rehabilitation project in the Czech Republic.
In representing ASTT, it was very pleasing to be able to receive the award for our entry – “E-education in Trenchless Technology”, and acknowledge the work done by Professor Jonathon O’Brien from the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of NSW. Readers of the first edition of Trenchless Australasia will recall this was about an educational CD designed to introduce Trenchless Technology to Civil Engineering courses at universities in Australia and New Zealand.
Progress on Standards and Guidelines
Progress continues on the establishment of Standards and Guidelines for Trenchless Technology in Australia and New Zealand. Input from participants at an interactive workshop at the Melbourne National Conference in September, and industry responses to a major survey have produced two reports. The first, an Industry Feedback and Literature Survey Report provides a wealth of information on the current status of the Trenchless Technology market, provides a review of Standards and Guidelines currently in use, and outlines how these Standards and Guidelines are used by others.
The second report will set out the structure for the framework, incorporating the range of Trenchless Technology methodologies currently available in Australia and New Zealand, and taking into account the views and priorities expressed by industry for the utilisation of the Standards and Guidelines. Work is continuing in close liaison with the consultants to finalise the second report.
Menno Henneveld
Chairman, ASTT
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