Without pre-empting the outcome of an international survey of ISTT’s stakeholders and Members, which has been designed to help ISTT set its strategic direction, there have been a number of recent significant developments.

The encouragement of up to three Regional Societies within the People’s Republic of China to Affiliate with ISTT will succeed in attracting additional Members to the ISTT family of Societies. It is hoped that the successful outcome of this long-standing issue will see the Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou Societies for Trenchless Technology affiliate with the ISTT at the Brisbane No-Dig Event later this year.

ISTT is also pursuing options it may have if the International No-Dig Conference were to be conducted on a bi-annual basis. This may see ISTT providing greater support to National or Regional events conducted in the year away from the International No-Dig, with clear mutual benefits to both the host Society and the ISTT. The objective would be to assist emerging or otherwise struggling Societies to develop a stronger profile in their region.

Another area of interest for ISTT is to ensure it provides membership value and continues to grow ISTT Membership. This makes your participation in the ISTT Survey so important, and you are encouraged to take the five minutes required to answer the internet questionnaire.

Trenchless Technology in Australia and New Zealand

It has been pleasing to see the commencement of implementation of the Trenchless Technology Training that has been made available based on the competency standards developed by ASTT and CCF. The first module dealing with rehabilitation will be followed by other modules in the areas of HDD and microtunnelling.

Having received the two reports on Standards and Guidelines for Trenchless Technology in Australia and New Zealand, the ASTT is now endeavouring to develop a web-based framework which will develop from the recommendations in the Reports. In ensuring the best possible outcome in dealing with a particularly complex range of issues, ASTT will determine the most practical and sustainable approach to developing the framework.

Planning for the Brisbane International NO-DIG Event to be held from October 29 to November 2 this year has really hotted up. The take up of exhibitor space is exceeding expectations, with additional space being made available to accommodate the expected increases. Sponsorship is also approaching the targets that have been set and the level of support from the industry has shown a real commitment to the future of Trenchless Technology in Australia and New Zealand. An impressive list of international speakers and professional presentations will also help to attract delegates to Brisbane. With the early indications of another successful NO-DIG Down Under, it would pay to seek out the NO-DIG Brisbane Registration Brochure and take advantage of the early bird offer and register now.

Menno Henneveld

Chairman ISTT,