|
The
World of Trenchless Technology continues to grow and expand as we see the
utilisation of information technology and communications, new materials
technology and the continuation of ingenious new applications. This growth
appears to be unabated, and in almost all urbanised countries which face
expansion of their utility networks, or which are coming to grips with
infrastructure renewal.
The
recent 19th International Conference and Exhibition held in
Prague in the Czech Republic, high-lighted the current, dominant status
Trenchless Technology has in Eastern Europe, as well many of
the 20 or so other countries represented. The use of the Internet and
other IT and communications technology has seen the development of a
virtual University for TT and at the practical end of the scale,
the development on CD of a range of virtual Trenchless Technology
construction sites.
|
|
The
creation of training standards; the advancement of ground penetrating radar and
extremely sophisticated head location technology are all examples of these new
applications.
We
are also currently seeing a huge growth internationally in the application of
pipebursting, not unlike the growth of HDD in the nineties. The International
No-Dig award for 2000 involved the use of pipebursting to provide impressive
environmental benefits for a sewer enlargement project in Canada.
And
down under, the recent Pipes Wagga Wagga event provided a practical, hands on
showcase of how Trenchless Technology is being applied in the water industry in
Australia. A wide range of asset management strategies featuring Trenchless
Technology was on show, including a range of live projects using re-lining
techniques and pipebursting. The 5th National Trenchless Technology
event to be held in Sydney in August 2002 will be eagerly awaited.
I
am pleased to say that ASTT has recently completed a number of activities in
planning for the effective growth of future applications of Trenchless
Technology in Australia and New Zealand. The finalisation of the Society’s
Strategic Plan, Trenchless 2K5, has
provided a forward looking view to 2005 as to where ASTT is heading. This has
been complemented by an action oriented Business Plan for 2002 (ASTT’s
financial year runs from January to December) which aligns with the strategies
outlined in Trenchless 2K5. The
Society plans to undertake some significant activities in the areas of Standards
and Guidelines, Training, Promotion and its commercial growth. I suggest a look
at our web page if you wish to see both these Plans in more detail.
Unfortunately,
planning the resource requirements for the next few years to achieve the testing
targets we have set ourselves has clearly shown that additional financial
resources are required. The Society’s modest Membership Fees (they are the
lowest of the 25 affiliated National Societies) have not seen an increase since
1997, and a the increase to AUD$500 for Corporate and AUD$125 for Private
Membership is planned. We believe our Members will continue to get value for
money from the Society.
On
that somewhat sombre note, I leave you with best wishes for the festive season
and a successful, trenchless 2002
By Menno Henneveld - Chairman ASTT
Back to Newsletter Index