BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Australian Tunnelling Society - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Australian Tunnelling Society REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Australia/Melbourne BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20240406T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20241005T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20250405T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20251004T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20260404T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20261003T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20270403T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20271002T160000 END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Australia/Sydney BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20240406T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20241005T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20250405T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20251004T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20260404T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20261003T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20270403T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20271002T160000 END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Australia/Brisbane BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20240101T000000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Australia/Perth BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0800 TZOFFSETTO:+0800 TZNAME:AWST DTSTART:20240101T000000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260513T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260513T183000 DTSTAMP:20260513T234444 CREATED:20260330T020114Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260330T020114Z UID:269673-1778693400-1778697000@australiantunnellingsociety.com.au SUMMARY:Choosing the right VSD for tunnel ventilation application DESCRIPTION:Overview\nIn recent years\, several tunnel projects have faced serious setbacks due to catastrophic motor failures. These failures are caused by high peak voltages\, a result of using Active Front End (AFE) VSDs combined with long motor cable lengths\, extending to 500 meters. This session examines the underlying electrical phenomena contributing to these issues and why conventional mitigation methods\, such as standard filters\, are often insufficient. \nParticipants will gain practical insight into proven engineering solutions that deliver near-sinusoidal voltage at the motor terminals\, reducing stress on insulation and extending asset life. Drawing on real-world case studies and field testing\, the session highlights key design considerations\, specification pitfalls\, and lessons learned to support more reliable tunnel ventilation system performance. \nLearning outcomes\nIn this event\, attendees will be able to: \n\nidentify the root causes of high peak voltages in AFE VSD tunnel applications\nevaluate why conventional filtering methods may not adequately protect motors apply practical design and specification strategies to prevent premature motor failure\nselect VSD and mitigation solutions that improve reliability and extend asset life\n\nProgram\nIn-person: \n\n5.00 pm AEST: Guest arrivals and registrations\n5.30 pm AEST: Presentation begins\n6.15 pm AEST: Q/A begins\n6.30 pm AEST: Event close\n\nOnline: \n\n5.30 pm AEST: Presentation begins\n6.30 pm AEST: Presentation ends\n\nAbout the speakers\n\n\n\nJoris Feekman\nRegional Sales Manager\, Danfoss Drives\n\nJoris is Regional Sales Manager at Danfoss Drives\, with over 25 years of experience in electrical drives and industrial power conversion. He has experience across Europe and Australia\, delivering reliable motor control solutions across a wide range of industrial applications.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHusain Natalwala\nBusiness Development Manager\, Danfoss Drives\nHusain has strong experience supporting large-scale industrial and infrastructure projects\, with exposure to Industrial Automation and Electrical Systems. At Danfoss\, he works as a BDM focussing on Tunnel Ventilation\, Water and Food Industries. URL:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/ats-event/choosing-the-right-vsd-for-tunnel-ventilation-application/ LOCATION:Online and in person at EA Melbourne\, Level 26\, 181 William Street\, Melbourne\, VIC\, 3000\, Australia CATEGORIES:Online,Victoria,Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-30-130022.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260423T170000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260423T190000 DTSTAMP:20260513T234444 CREATED:20260325T022632Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T023935Z UID:266485-1776963600-1776970800@australiantunnellingsociety.com.au SUMMARY:Digital engineering on the North East Link DESCRIPTION:Event overview:\nDigital engineering is transforming how complex infrastructure projects are designed\, delivered\, and operated. The North East Link project in Melbourne\, Victoria\, presented unique challenges in the tunnel environment\, requiring innovative approaches to modelling\, design integration\, and lifecycle management. \nIn this session\, the speaker will detail the digital engineering requirements for the North East Link and demonstrate how Delve Underground applied computational design and digital engineering practices to overcome these challenges. The presentation will highlight practical outputs from digital engineering and show how they are being leveraged for asset operation and maintenance\, illustrating the value of digital processes throughout the project lifecycle. \nLearning outcomes:\n\nUnderstand the digital engineering requirements and challenges faced on the North East Link project.\nExplore practical approaches using computational design to overcome complex tunnel engineering issues.\n\nPresenters:\n \nElnaz Saminfar \nAssociate Digital Engineer at Delve Underground \nElnaz is an Associate Digital Engineer at Delve Underground\, bringing over 13 years of experience in digital engineering and computational design. She has contributed to the successful delivery of some of Australia’s largest infrastructure projects\, as well as several major international projects\, demonstrating a strong track record in managing complex projects. With advanced proficiency in a wide range of digital engineering and computational design software\, she is able to tackle complex project requirements with flexibility and precision. She focuses on optimizing workflows for digital engineering teams\, improving user proficiency\, and reducing maintenance demands\, ensuring projects are delivered efficiently and effectively. Her strategic and forward-thinking approach drives innovation\, enhances team performance\, and elevates overall project outcomes\, consistently aligning technical excellence with practical project delivery goals. \n \nSoheila Moradi \nDigital Engineering Manager – Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority (VIDA)\n\nSoheila Moradi is the Digital Engineering Manager at the Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority (VIDA)\, leading digital engineering for the North East Link Project\, one of Australia’s largest infrastructure programs. She is also part of VIDA’s Digital Engineering leadership team and contributes to the Victorian Digital Engineering (VTDE) transformation\, supporting how digital practices are applied consistently across major projects. With over 20 years of experience across infrastructure and building projects\, Soheila focuses on making digital delivery practical and useful\, not just a compliance exercise. She has been closely involved in shaping how digital requirements are embedded into contracts\, how data is progressively captured during delivery\, and how asset information is handed over in a way that actually works for operations. She is known for bringing a clear\, outcome-focused approach connecting technical detail with real project needs\, and making sure digital engineering delivers value where it matters most.\n \nBlake Bambridge \nFire Systems Sales – FireSense \nWith over 20 years of experience in the fire protection industry\, I am a proactive and adaptable professional specialising in fire systems design\, project delivery\, and commercial engagement. I bring a strong combination of technical expertise and practical problem-solving\, supported by advanced skills in CAD platforms including Revit and AutoCAD. Currently working in fire systems sales with Firesense\, I focus on building strong relationships with major builders and consultants across the Construction market\, driving effective and compliant fire protection solutions. Previously\, I held a senior role on the North East Link project in Melbourne\, where I managed fire systems packages valued at over $100 million. My responsibilities included contractor onboarding\, government approvals\, and the development of critical project documentation\, while also introducing innovative approaches such as modular design and prefabrication to improve efficiency. \n \nBharat Sharma \n Operation and Maintenance Asset Manager on the North East Link Project (NEL) \nBharat Sharma is an asset management professional specialising in Operation and Maintenance (O&M) of major transport projects. Expertise in developing asset management strategies for complex Public Private Partnership (PPP) environments\, ensuring that operational performance\, risk and value are balanced across the full asset lifecycle. Currently serves as Operation and Maintenance Asset Manager on the North East Link Project (NEL). In this role\, he leads the development of the Project’s Asset Information Management System\, supporting asset management\, operations\, maintenance and incident response functions to meet the project objectives. \n  \nThis is a hybrid event\, hosted at Delve Underground’s Melbourne office at Level 15\, 385 Bourke Street and online. \nPlease note\, physical attendance is capped at 50 people due to spatial requirements. URL:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/ats-event/digital-engineering-on-the-north-east-link-2/ LOCATION:Delve Underground\, Level 15 / 385 Bourke Street\, Melbourne\, Victoria\, 3000\, Australia CATEGORIES:Hybrid,Online,Victoria,Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-25-131548.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20260414T210000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20260414T223000 DTSTAMP:20260513T234444 CREATED:20260409T050107Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260409T050107Z UID:275677-1776200400-1776205800@australiantunnellingsociety.com.au SUMMARY:ITA Lecture - Immersed tunnels as an innovative solution DESCRIPTION:Overview\nThis instalment of the Lunchtime lecture series will focus on ‘Immersed tunnels as an innovative solution’. The session is in collaboration with ITA AITES WG11. \nThe episode will feature three parts and will finish with a Q&A with all speakers. It will begin at 13:00 CEST (9pm AEST). \n\nIntroduction to immersed tunnels – Marcel ‘t Hart\nFirst immersed tunnel in the Middle East; Khor Al‑Zubair tunnel – Martijn Smitt\nWeserquerung\, a challenging river crossing – Jens Classen\n\nFollowing the three presentations there will be time for Q&A with the presenters \nThe ITA lecture series remains free and open to all. For all those that cannot join ‘live’ online\, please register and you will receive a link to stream the episode after the event – this link will be valid for four weeks. After these four weeks\, anyone wanting to watch the episode can do so by registering for the episode on the ITA website\, but there will be a small fee to watch. \nRegister for the event here: https://www.itacet.org/session/lunchtime-lecture-series55/ URL:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/ats-event/ita-lecture-immersed-tunnels-as-an-innovative-solution/ CATEGORIES:Online,Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Template.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20260401T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20260401T193000 DTSTAMP:20260513T234444 CREATED:20260324T004154Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260324T004255Z UID:265775-1775064600-1775071800@australiantunnellingsociety.com.au SUMMARY:Celebrating International Women's Day 2026: “Engineering Tomorrow: A Shared Commitment to Leadership” DESCRIPTION:Join us in celebrating International Women’s Day 2026 on April 1st at the GHD office in Sydney.\nOnline and in person event\nThe event will begin with a keynote by Carlos Sanabria\, Precast Yard Manager at Western Harbour Tunnel – P2\, who will share valuable insights into the project’s inclusion initiatives. This will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Natascha Rezai\, Katarina David\, Carlos Sanabria\, and Candice Camacho\, who will offer diverse\, first-hand perspectives from the tunnelling industry through a Diversity\, Equity and Inclusion lens. \nThe 2026 theme\, “Engineering Tomorrow: A Shared Commitment to Leadership\,” highlights the importance of collective responsibility and collaboration in shaping the future of leadership- particularly in engineering and other traditionally male-dominated industries. It emphasises shared leadership\, equal opportunities\, diverse perspectives\, and accountability in driving meaningful and inclusive change. \nThis event will be held both in person and online. Register today! \nPanellists\n \nNatascha Rezai\nTechnical Director – Tunnels | GHD\nAPAC Relationship Manager | GHD\n\nNatascha Rezai is a Tunnel Engineer with experience working for contractors on major tunnelling projects across Australia and internationally\, spanning the design and delivery of complex underground infrastructure.\nPrior to joining GHD\, she held key roles including Design Manager for the City & Southwest packages\, with responsibility for tunnel and cross passage works\, and most recently Tunnel Area Lead on the Western Tunnelling Package (WTP). Recently appointed as APAC Relationship Manager for Gamuda Berhad\, alongside managing GHD’s contractor portfolio across NSW and the ACT\, she focuses on strengthening collaboration between contractors and designers to support successful outcomes on major infrastructure projects. \n \nKatarina David\nTechnical Lead (Hydrogeology)- TfNSW\nKatarina is a registered professional hydrogeologist with over 25 years experience in hydrogeology and groundwater management.  She has a Masters and PhD degree in hydrogeology and has worked on a large range of infrastructure and mining projects throughout her career.  She has worked extensively on NSW\,  Queensland\, South Australian\, Victorian and NSW infrastructure projects such as the Lane Cove Tunnel\, M5East\, M6\, Roselle Interchange \, Great Western Highway\, Western Harbour Tunnel\, Brisbane Airport Link and Melbourne Desalination Plant. Katarina is a technical lead in the tunneling team in TfNSW. \n \nCarlos Sanabria\nPrecast Manager – Western Harbour Tunnel Package 2\nCarlos Sanabria is a highly accomplished civil engineering professional with an MBA and 19 years of international experience delivering complex construction and infrastructure projects. Having lived in Venezuela\, Spain\, Saudi Arabia\, and Australia\, and travelled extensively across Latin America\, Europe\, the Middle East\, South and Southeast Asia\, and Oceania\, he brings a broad global perspective and first-hand understanding of the world’s major infrastructure and trade corridors. Over the course of his career\, Carlos has worked with global industry leaders across the building\, commercial\, industrial\, metro\, roads\, energy\, and railway sectors. He is known for his ability to bring people together\, align diverse stakeholders\, and lead teams toward shared goals while delivering strong operational and project outcomes. Carlos is particularly valued for his relationship-building skills and his ability to work effectively with project teams\, consultants\, contractors\, statutory agencies\, and multicultural workforces. He believes the best project outcomes come from collaboration\, inclusion\, and strong leadership\, and he is proud to support opportunities that recognise and celebrate the contribution of women across the engineering and infrastructure sectors. \n \nCandice Camacho\nOperational Services Director – Western Harbour Tunnel Package 2\nCandice Camacho is the Operational Services Director for ACCIONA on the $4.2 billion Western Harbour Tunnel Stage 2 project in Sydney. With more than 15 years of experience across government and the private sector\, she leads a multidisciplinary portfolio including stakeholder engagement\, environment and sustainability\, workforce development\, social procurement and inclusion\, completions and handover\, and the construction management of Berrys Bay.\nCandice is known for bringing diverse teams together to solve complex problems\, manage risk and deliver strong project outcomes in major infrastructure environments. She is also a passionate advocate for diversity\, sustainability and social value in construction\, and has played a key role in embedding these priorities into project delivery at Western Harbour Tunnel\, championing initiatives that support better industry participation\, workforce development and more meaningful community outcomes. Candice brings a unique blend of strategic insight and people-first leadership\, with tertiary qualifications in Psychology\, Communications and Marketing and is a Roads Australia Fellow. She deeply values the impact people have on a business and is committed to supporting employees in every aspect\, empowering them to thrive and bring their best selves to work. \n  URL:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/ats-event/celebrating-international-womens-day-2026-engineering-tomorrow-a-shared-commitment-to-leadership/ LOCATION:GHD Office\, Level 15/133 Castlereagh Street\, Sydney\, NSW\, 2000\, Australia CATEGORIES:Hybrid,New South Wales,Online ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_2923-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20260310T230000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20260311T003000 DTSTAMP:20260513T234444 CREATED:20260225T020645Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260225T020722Z UID:248730-1773183600-1773189000@australiantunnellingsociety.com.au SUMMARY:ITA Lecture - BIM and Tunnelling DESCRIPTION:ITA Lecture Series #54 \nTopic: BIM and Tunnelling \nThis instalment of the Lunchtime lecture series will focus on ‘BIM and tunnelling’. The session will present the New Guideline on BIM in Tunnelling for mechanised and conventional tunnels\, as developed by ITA AITES WG22. Our Vice-President Jurij Karlovsek will be one of the presenters in this session. \nThe episode will feature five parts and will finish with a Q&A with all speakers. It will begin at 13:00 CET (11pm AEDT). \n\nIntroduction to WG22 – Florent Robert\nOverview & History – Jurij Karlovsek\nPresentation of the Guideline – Vojtech Ernst Gall\nDemonstration video of TBM & Conventional Tunnelling model – Wojciech Mleczko & Maja Mijalna\nFurther Developments – Jure Cesnik\n\nFollowing the five presentations there will be time for Q&A with the presenters \nThe Lunchtime lecture series remains free and open to all. For all those that cannot join ‘live’ online\, please register and you will receive a link to stream the episode after the event – this link will be valid for four weeks. After these four\, anyone wanting to watch the episode can do so by registering for the episode on the ITA website\, but there will be a small fee to watch. \nRegister for the event here: Lunchtime lecture series#54 – ITACET URL:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/ats-event/ita-lecture-bim-and-tunnelling/ LOCATION:Webinar CATEGORIES:Online ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Template.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20260226T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20260226T183000 DTSTAMP:20260513T234444 CREATED:20260209T045233Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260209T045305Z UID:238753-1772127000-1772130600@australiantunnellingsociety.com.au SUMMARY:High speed rail tunnel aerodynamics DESCRIPTION:Overview\nThe webinar will focus on the aerodynamic phenomena and effects associated with the high-speed passage of a train through a tunnel. We will begin by describing the pressure waves generated as a high-speed train enters a tunnel\, passes through changes in tunnel geometry\, crosses another train and exits the tunnel. Their generation\, propagation\, reflection\, and transmission will be discussed. Airflow patterns induced inside the tunnel\, influenced by blockage ratio\, tunnel geometry and train speed\, will also be presented. \nIn the second part\, we will examine the impact of these pressure waves on passenger tympanic comfort and safety\, both on the platforms of underground stations and on board high-speed trains. Their effects on tunnel equipment\, such as ventilation systems and platform screen doors\, as well as on the trains themselves\, will also be addressed. Finally\, we will discuss aerodynamic drag and the factors that help reduce it\, including the construction of pressure relief shafts or the creation of a partial air vacuum. \nThis will lead us to conclude with a brief exploration of the hyperloop concept. The presentation will be supported by experimental results and numerical simulations based on real world case studies. \nLearning outcomes\nIn this event\, you will: \n\nhave an appreciation of the aerodynamic challenges experienced in a high-speed rail tunnel environment and what measures should be taken during the design and construction of such systems\nobtain a good overview of different systems that are affected and will give the audience a general understanding of the problem.\n\nProgram\n\n5.30 pm AEDT: Presentation begins\n6.30 pm AEDT: Presentation ends\n\nAbout the speakers\n\n\n\nMichele Mossi\nPresident\, CEO and Founder\, GESTE\n\nMichele Mossi (born 1970) is a physicist and engineer who graduated from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL)\, where he also earned a PhD in aerodynamics. He is the founding CEO of GESTE Engineering\, an engineering consultancy specializing in railway technology and safety. He specializes in aerodynamics\, ventilation\, and safety. As a consulting engineer and project director\, he has contributed to numerous projects in these fields for railway\, metro\, road\, and river tunnels across Europe\, the United Arab Emirates\, and the United States. He is also an expert in hyperloop system.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPaolo Molteni\nProject Manager – Business Unit Manager FLOWS\, GESTE\n\nPaolo Molteni (1971)\, an aerospace engineer and PhD graduate from the Politecnico di Milano\, is a consulting engineer specialized in ventilation\, aerodynamics\, thermal engineering\, and pedestrian flows. He has specific training in computational fluid dynamics and is an expert in numerical simulation and computation (CFD). He is the Head of the FLOWS Business Unit (aerodynamics\, thermal engineering\, ventilation\, and flows) at GESTE Engineering. He has carried out numerous projects involving the ventilation of metro tunnels\, road and railway tunnels\, as well as stations and buildings open to the public. He is the main developer of the 1D calculation software TNT\, designed for the simulation of unsteady\, compressible\, and non-isothermal flows in complex tunnel networks. URL:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/ats-event/high-speed-rail-tunnel-aerodynamics/ LOCATION:Webinar\, Register via the link to join! CATEGORIES:Online,Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-09-154858.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20260226T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20260226T183000 DTSTAMP:20260513T234444 CREATED:20260203T010857Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260219T010734Z UID:235157-1772127000-1772130600@australiantunnellingsociety.com.au SUMMARY:Sustainable Tunnelling in Australia: A DEI Perspective DESCRIPTION:REGISTER NOW!\nOverview\nJoin us for an engaging online panel discussion at the ATS Mentor Alliance Learning & Development Forum hosted by Patricia Kaziro\, Director of Impact Business School. \nOur panellists will share first-hand experiences from the tunnelling industry\, offering valuable insights through a Diversity\, Equity and Inclusion perspective. \nDrawing on their experiences as mentors and mentees in the ATS Mentor Alliance over the past few years\, the discussion will provide practical guidance and reflections to inform and inspire participants ahead of the 2026 program. \nJoin the conversation\, hear diverse perspectives\, and be part of shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future for the industry. \n  \nPanellists:\n \nAdrian Smith \nBrisbane Manager – Principal Geotechnical Engineer – PSM\nAdrian Smith is a Principal Geotechnical Engineer at PSM with 23 years experience in a variety of geotechnical practice areas\, including design of rail\, road\, hydro and utility tunnels\, civil works\, underground and open cut mining. Adrian leads PSM’s Brisbane office and is a PSM director. His recent project roles have included:\n– PSM Engineering Lead for Underground mining projects in New Zealand\, The Philippines\, Sweden\, Northern Territory\, Queensland and New South Wales\n– Underground and Geotechnical Works Lead for the Tarraleah Hydro project in Tasmania\n– Underground works\, owner’s engineer for Kidston Pumped Hydro\n– PSM’s Design Director for the Cross River Rail project \n  \n \n  \n  \n  \nNatascha Rezai\nTechnical Director – Tunnels | GHD\nAPAC Relationship Manager | GHD\nNatascha Rezai is a Tunnel Engineer with experience working for contractors on major tunnelling projects across Australia and internationally\, spanning the design and delivery of complex underground infrastructure.Prior to joining GHD\, she held key roles including Design Manager for the City & Southwest packages\, with responsibility for tunnel and cross passage works\, and most recently Tunnel Area Lead on the Western Tunnelling Package (WTP). Recently appointed as APAC Relationship Manager for Gamuda Berhad\, alongside managing GHD’s contractor portfolio across NSW and the ACT\, she focuses on strengthening collaboration between contractors and designers to support successful outcomes on major infrastructure projects. \n  \n \nKaterina Monemvasioti Kappos \nAssociate Tunnel Engineer – Jacobs\nKaterina Monemvasioti Kappos is a Chartered Civil Engineer and Associate Tunnelling Engineer at Jacobs with postgraduate specialisation in tunnelling. She has experience spanning major tunnel projects in Australia and the UK\, including the River Torrens to Darlington Project\, Sydney Metro West – Central Tunnelling Package\, WestConnex 3A and the nuclear plant Hinkley Point C. She is an active contributor to industry bodies\, having previously served on committees for the Diversity in Tunnelling ATS Subgroup\, the  Australian Tunnelling Society\, and the Institution of Civil Engineers NSW chapter. \n  \nHost:\n\n  \n  \n  \nPatricia Kaziro\nDirector of Impact Business School\nPatricia Kaziro is Director of Impact Business School\, a global learning institution empowering business leaders\, athletes\, and professionals through professional education and skills development. The School drives cultural transformation by strengthening leadership capability and embedding social impact and sustainability\, equipping organisations with practical frameworks to navigate complexity and build inclusive\, adaptive workforces.With academic qualifications in Sociology\, Education (Social Ecology)\, Sustainable Living\, and Business Commercialisation\, Patricia brings a systems-thinking lens to inclusive leadership and equity-centred design. Impact Business School is the official learning and DEI partner to the Australian Tunnelling Society Mentor Alliance and has delivered leadership and educational programs with Women’s Environmental Leadership Australia\, AdaptNSW\, Social Enterprise Australia\, Delve Underground and more.Over 15 years\, Patricia has partnered with corporate\, government\, and community sectors to advance inclusive leadership and workforce capability. She has coached executives and clinicians across Australia\, the United States\, New Zealand\, and Singapore\, and founded a community service in partnership with the City of Sydney and St Vincent’s Hospital. \n  URL:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/ats-event/sustainable-tunnelling-in-australia-a-dei-perspectiveats-mentor-alliance-learning-development-forum/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Online ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/25-26-LD-6-r-scaled.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260225T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260225T190000 DTSTAMP:20260513T234444 CREATED:20260209T033529Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260209T033808Z UID:238675-1772040600-1772046000@australiantunnellingsociety.com.au SUMMARY:Aligning temporary and permanent works design with construction DESCRIPTION:Overview\nThis session brings together design and construction perspectives to examine the critical relationship between construction methods\, temporary works and permanent works design. Drawing on recent project experience\, experts from SYSTRA and BG&E will demonstrate how construction sequencing\, staging and temporary works solutions can materially influence permanent works outcomes\, often driving redesign\, program change or cost escalation if not considered early. \n\n\nThe session reinforces the value of collaborative\, constructability-led thinking across the project lifecycle. The speakers will explore practical lessons\, peer knowledge sharing and application to day-to-day engineering decision-making. Through real examples\, attendees will explore how early and integrated consideration of construction methods and temporary works can streamline delivery\, manage risk and improve safety\, cost and schedule performance. \nThe discussion will highlight opportunities for engineers to work more effectively across disciplines\, delivering projects that are not only technically sound but also buildable\, efficient and sustainable. \nThis event is produced by the ATS. This event is supported by the Construction Community of Practice. \nLearning outcomes\nIn this event\, you will: \n\nrecognise how construction sequencing\, staging and temporary works decisions directly influence permanent works design outcomes\nassess the impacts of external constraints\, such as site access and plant selection\, on design and construction solutions\napply balanced planning approaches that integrate design intent with construction methodology to reduce risk and rework\nstrengthen collaboration between designers and constructors to improve constructability\, safety and project delivery performance.\n\nProgram\nIn person \n\n5.30 pm AEDT: Guest arrivals and registrations\n6.00 pm AEDT: Presentation begins\n6.45 pm AEDT: Q/A begins\n7.00 pm AEDT: Networking begins\n7.30 pm AEDT: Event close\n\nOnline \n\n6.00 pm AEDT: Presentation begins\n7.00 pm AEDT: Presentation ends\n\nAbout the speakers\n\n\n\n\nChris Gaskell\nTechnical Director Design & Build (Tunnels)\, Systra\nBiography\nChris Gaskell is an accomplished chartered professional engineer with broad leadership and design experience in the development and delivery of tunnels and underground infrastructure projects in Australia\, the UK and Singapore. After commencing his professional career on the UK-France Euro Tunnel project\, Chris has over 35 years of experience in design and construction organisations\, providing technical consultancy services to a diverse client base\, including government delivery agencies\, investors\, and road and rail operators. With experience covering the conception\, operation\, and renewal phases of the project lifecycle\, he has a broad background in technical leadership and project development\, with a wide knowledge base that spans complex\, multidisciplinary design and delivery environments. He’s passionate about optimising design processes and true value engineering\, where the desired outcomes could be delivered for less. URL:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/ats-event/aligning-temporary-and-permanent-works-design-with-construction/ LOCATION:Online and in person in Melbourne\, Level 26\, 181 William Street\, Melbourne\, VIC\, Australia CATEGORIES:Online,Victoria ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-09-143001-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20260210T230000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20260210T230000 DTSTAMP:20260513T234444 CREATED:20260204T011048Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260204T011144Z UID:235861-1770764400-1770764400@australiantunnellingsociety.com.au SUMMARY:ITA Lecture - Recent international developments in life cycle management of underground assets DESCRIPTION:ITA Lecture Series \nLecture #53 – Recent international developments in life cycle management of underground assets \nTuesday 10th February 2026 at 13:00 CET / 23:00 AEDT\, duration 1½ hours \nThis instalment of the Lunchtime lecture series will focus on Recent international developments in life cycle management of underground assets. \nThis episode will feature three lectures: \n\nEvolving approaches for tunnel management – LeoMc Kibbins\nRecommendations on life cycle costing of tunnels – Urs H. Grunicke\nThe Netherlands: Cross-sector learnings for smart sustainable asset management – Paul Van Kempen\n\nFollowing the three presentations there will be time for Q&A with the presenters \nThe Lunchtime lecture series remains free and open to all. For all those that cannot join ‘live’ online\, please register and you will receive a link to stream the episode after the event – this link will be valid for four weeks. After these four\, anyone wanting to watch the episode can do so by registering for the episode on the ITA website\, but there will be a small fee to watch. \nRegister for the events here:  https://www.itacet.org/session/lunchtime-lecture-series53/ URL:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/ats-event/ita-lecture-recent-international-developments-in-life-cycle-management-of-underground-assets/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Online ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Template.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Brisbane:20260205T170000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Brisbane:20260205T200000 DTSTAMP:20260513T234444 CREATED:20260113T024046Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260204T235045Z UID:226187-1770310800-1770321600@australiantunnellingsociety.com.au SUMMARY:Kidston Hydro Tailrace breakthrough: inside-out method DESCRIPTION:Overview\nNote\, this event is both online and in person. \nThe in person registration link is: Kidston Hydro Tailrace breakthrough: inside-out method | Engineers Australia \nClick this link at 5.30 AEST to join online: ATS Technical Presentation: Kidston Hydro Tailrace breakthrough: inside-out method | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams \nJoin us for an insightful technical presentation showcasing a compelling case study on the excavation of Tailrace 1 at the Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro project. This innovative approach involved excavating from the inside out\, without prior access to the external portal face. The presentation will detail the unique methodologies employed\, including the implementation of ground support systems and specialized techniques for achieving a bespoke breakthrough. Gain valuable insights into how the final breakthrough blast was carefully executed and supported to ensure structural stability upon completion. \nProgram timeline\n5.00 pm AEST – Registration and catering opens \n5.30 pm AEST – Presentation commences \n7.30 pm AEST – Presentation concludes \n8.00 pm AEST – Event concludes \nLearning outcomes\n\nInnovative excavation approach: methodology of excavating from the inside out without prior access to the external portal face\nGround support design and implementation: design principles and techniques to ensure stability during breakthrough works\nSpecialized techniques for bespoke breakthrough: unique strategies for controlled and safe breakthrough in challenging conditions\nFinal breakthrough blast execution: planning and execution to maintain structural integrity\nRisk management and safety considerations: measures to mitigate risks and ensure safety during excavation and blasting operations\nLessons learned from the Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro Project: key takeaways for similar tunnelling and underground engineering projects\n\nAbout the speakers\n\n\n\nAmit Narsey\nTunnelling Engineer\, GHD\n\n\nAmit is a tunnelling engineer with over 14 years’ experience in the design and delivery of underground and geotechnical infrastructure in the hydropower\, water and transport sectors. His key areas of technical competency are in the structural and geotechnical design of ground support for tunnels\, caverns\, shafts and retaining structures. Amit undertakes and leads teams to deliver engineering services\, and as a chartered professional is passionate about providing practical solutions to clients across various project stages including design\, construction\, operation\, and maintenance.\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKaylah Macintosh\nTunnel Manager\, JHG\n\nKaylah is a Tunnel Manager with over 10 years experience in Tunnelling. Kaylah has extensive experience in Drill & Blast\, Drill and Blast Engineering and Vibration modelling. Kaylah is a Mechanical engineer with a Master of Geophysics and is currently completing her second Master of Space Engineering at ADFA UNSW. URL:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/ats-event/kidston-hydro-tailrace-breakthrough-inside-out-method/ LOCATION:GHD Brisbane Office\, Level 9/145 Ann St\, Brisbane City\, Queensland\, 4000\, Australia CATEGORIES:Hybrid,Online,Queensland ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kidston-event-scaled-e1770166961617.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251126T170000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251126T190000 DTSTAMP:20260513T234444 CREATED:20251029T013110Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251030T003838Z UID:167449-1764176400-1764183600@australiantunnellingsociety.com.au SUMMARY:North East Link Tunnelling Progress Update and Australian Tunnelling Society Vic Chapter annual meeting DESCRIPTION:Details\nNote: This presentation will be held in person and online\, please register through the link and advise of your attendance preference. \nPresentation Overview\nThe North East Link is carving twin three-lane tunnels 6.5 kilometres through Melbourne’s northeast\, connecting the Eastern Freeway to the M80 Ring Road. This presentation shares practical insights from a project that’s now 50% complete with an outstanding safety record. The project uses two approaches: two 15.1-metre-diameter Tunnel Boring Machines for the main drives\, and the Sequential Excavation Method with roadheaders for the more complex sections. Working through highly variable ground conditions in a busy urban area has required innovative solutions at every stage. The presentation covers the challenges the team has faced and how they’ve addressed them—from adapting excavation methods to suit different ground conditions\, managing tunnel portals in sensitive locations\, and using advanced monitoring systems that track progress and ground movements in real time. You will also hear how digital engineering and Building Information Modelling have improved both efficiency and safety on site\, as well as how the project balances major construction work with minimising impacts on surrounding communities. This session offers practical lessons from a significant Australian tunnelling project and a chance to discuss approaches relevant to your work. \nTimings\nIn person: \n\n5:30 PM Welcome and Networking\n6:00 PM Presentation\n6:45 PM Q&As and post presentation networking\n\nBeverages and refreshments will be provided. \nOnline: \n\n6.00 pm meeting and technical presentation\n7.00 pm event ends\n\nSupporter\nThis event is supported by ARUP. URL:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/ats-event/north-east-link-tunnelling-progress-update-and-australian-tunnelling-society-vic-chapter-annual-meeting/ LOCATION:ARUP Melbourne\, Sky Park 1\, Melbourne Quarter\, 699 Collins Street\, Victoria\, 3008 CATEGORIES:Online,Victoria ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-30-113754.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20251120T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20251120T200000 DTSTAMP:20260513T234444 CREATED:20251103T022844Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251103T022936Z UID:175337-1763665200-1763668800@australiantunnellingsociety.com.au SUMMARY:Cavidrain in Tunnels: 25 Years of International Service DESCRIPTION:Exploring advancements in tunnel drainage design and construction through international case studies from Australia\, Hong Kong\, and the UK.\nOverview\nThis session explores the evolution of tunnel drainage systems over the past twenty-five years\, focusing on modern approaches that improve drainage efficiency\, durability\, and constructability. Participants will gain insights into how design innovations and material advancements have addressed common challenges such as precipitate deposition\, maintenance access\, and cost efficiency. Drawing on case studies from major projects in Australia\, Hong Kong\, and the United Kingdom\, the presentation will highlight lessons learned and best practices in developing reliable and sustainable tunnel drainage solutions. Attendees will also learn about the performance outcomes achieved through alternative drainage layer designs and construction methods. \nLearning Outcomes\nBy attending this session\, participants will: \n1. Develop an understanding of innovative approaches to tunnel drainage design and how these differ from traditional methods. \n2. Learn from international case studies illustrating successful implementation and long-term performance. \n3. Understand key design and construction considerations\, including practical dos and don’ts derived from field experience. \nSpeakers\nRichard Clarke \nSector Manager – Rail and Tunnels\, ABG \n \nRichard spent the first thirty years of his professional career working for several consultants and operators designing\, building and operating UK landfill sites. He gained experience of using a variety of geosynthetic and geocomposite products in addition to boulder clay\, marl\, coal shale and bentonite-enhanced sand primary liners. He later transferred into brownfield remediation overseeing the construction and testing of earthworks\, piling mats and crane pads before a move across to ABG where his practical experience is being brought to bear as Sector Manager for both Tunnels (worldwide) and Rail (UK). \n  \nGoran Erak \nDirector of Civil Engineering\, ABG Geosynthetics \n \nGoran is a civil engineer with 33 years of experience in the UK\, Europe\, Africa and Middle East\, working on a number of challenging projects within a variety of sectors\, including environmental\, tunnels\, highways\, rail\, water\, mining\, structural and residential. He’s responsible for the ABG Geosynthetics Civils division globally\, including monitoring design output for specific projects in this sector and dealing with civil engineering consultancies\, contractors\, government organisations and coordinating research projects with universities. He is also responsible for providing specialist geosynthetic design solutions on unusual or difficult civil engineering Applications as well as managing research and development projects for advanced geosynthetic applications. URL:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/ats-event/cavidrain-in-tunnels-25-years-of-international-service/ CATEGORIES:Online,Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/ABG-Hero-Image-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20251016T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20251016T190000 DTSTAMP:20260513T234444 CREATED:20250813T050133Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251008T014539Z UID:127616-1760637600-1760641200@australiantunnellingsociety.com.au SUMMARY:TBM excavation through a bench at Albert St\, Cross River Rail DESCRIPTION:REGISTRATION OPEN NOW!\nNote: this is a hybrid event available online and in person in Brisbane \nEvent overview & who should attend\nExcavating directly above operating TBM is one of the most complex challenges in tunnelling\, demanding precision\, coordination\, and innovative thinking. At Albert Street on Cross River Rail\, this meant adapting excavation methods\, rethinking ground support\, and carefully controlling bench blasting to protect the TBM below. \nIn this presentation\, Robert Elliot\, Ben Swinn\, and Dan Keating will walk through the real-world process of safely benching over opertaing TBM\, from revising support systems to designing blasts. You’ll see how engineering decisions were made under tight constraints\, supported by monitoring and risk management. \nWhether you work in tunnelling\, geotechnical design\, or construction management\, this session offers a behind-the-scenes look at a high-stakes excavation\, lessons learned\, and strategies you can apply to similar complex interfaces in your own projects. \nLearning outcome\nBy the end of this session\, attendees will: \n\nUnderstand the rationale and risks associated with excavating directly above operating TBM\, and how the methodology was adapted to address them.\nLearn how ground support requirements evolved due to the change in excavation strategy\, including practical implications for structural stability and safety.\nGain insights into the design and execution of controlled bench blasting near active tunnelling operations.\nBe able to apply lessons learned from the Albert Street case to future tunnelling interfaces\, especially in constrained urban environments with complex construction sequencing.\n\nSpeakers\n \nRob Elliott is a Senior Consultant from Systra\, currently working client side on the Northern Water Desalination Project in South Australia as a Constructability Advisor and has over 10 years of post-graduate experience in major infrastructure projects\, both in Australia and internationally. A key highlight of his career is his 5-year tenure on Brisbane’s Cross River Rail project\, where he served as a Project Engineer. His experience also includes time on a major road tunnel project beneath the Suez Canal in Egypt. \n \nBen Swinn is a Senior Consultant from Systra currently seconded onto the Cross River Rail project as a Senior Project Engineer. Ben’s engineering background consists of tunnelling\, trenchless and civil aspects including delivering recent major rail projects such as Carmichael Rail Network\, Sydney Metro\, Sydney Light Rail and Cross River Rail. \n \nDan Keating is a Senior Consultant from Systra\, currently seconded onto Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 and has over 15 years of experience. Dan’s experience consists of tunnelling and heavy infrastructure works. His career has taken him overseas with exposure to projects such as Heathrow expansion upgrade\, Thames Tideway Tunnel\, underground coal and hardrock mining operations\, Cross River Rail\, Northconnex and most recently Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3. URL:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/ats-event/tbm-excavation-through-a-bench-at-albert-st-cross-river-rail/ LOCATION:EA Brisbane Office\, Level 9\, 340 Adelaide St (EA Office)\, Brisbane\, Queensland\, 4000\, Australia CATEGORIES:Hybrid,Online,Queensland ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Iconic-Photo-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20251014T220000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20251014T233000 DTSTAMP:20260513T234444 CREATED:20250930T052745Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T052745Z UID:150734-1760479200-1760484600@australiantunnellingsociety.com.au SUMMARY:ITA Lecture - Pushing the limits in urban conventional tunnelling DESCRIPTION:Upcoming lecture \nDate: Tuesday 14th October 2025 \nTime: 13:00 – 14:30 CET / 22:00 – 23:30 AEDT (online presentation) \nDuration: 1 ½ hours \nTopic: Pushing the limits in urban conventional tunnelling \nThis instalment of the Lunchtime lecture series will focus on Pushing the limits in urban conventional tunnelling in collaboration with ITA AITES WG19. \nThe episode will feature three lectures and will finish with a Q&A with all speakers\, links below to the speaker bios. The lecture will begin at 13:00 CET. \n\nIntroduction to the new guideline for the conventional tunnelling in an urban setting – Etienne Garin\nCase study – Vojtech Gall\nCase study – Robert Galler\n\nFollowing the three presentations there will be time for Q&A with the presenters \nThe Lunchtime lecture series remains free and open to all. For all those that cannot join ‘live’ online\, please register and you will receive a link to stream the episode after the event – this link will be valid for four weeks now \nRegister for the events here:  Lunchtime lecture series#49 – ITACET \n  URL:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/ats-event/ita-lecture-pushing-the-limits-in-urban-conventional-tunnelling/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Online,Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Template.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Brisbane:20250925T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Brisbane:20250925T183000 DTSTAMP:20260513T234444 CREATED:20250910T021719Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250910T025357Z UID:141462-1758821400-1758825000@australiantunnellingsociety.com.au SUMMARY:Tunnelling in Barcelona Line 9: Final Stage DESCRIPTION:Overview\nThis webinar explores the final phase of Barcelona Metro Line 9\, where engineers faced the unique challenge of restarting a tunnel boring machine (TBM) after it had been stored underground for a decade. The presentation highlights how the team successfully refurbished critical TBM components\, resumed excavation through 2.1 km of hard granodiorite using EPB technology\, and prepared for the project’s most complex stretch\, a 1.6 km drive under high-pressure and heterogeneous ground conditions.  Participants will gain insights into ground conditioning\, TBM modifications\, predictive maintenance strategies\, and the technical solutions that enabled excavation to continue safely and efficiently beneath one of Europe’s most complex urban environments. \nLearning outcomes:\nBy attending this webinar\, you will be able to: \n\nUnderstand the refurbishment process required to reactivate a TBM after a decade-long shutdown\, including underground component replacement and upgrades.\nEvaluate excavation strategies for operating EPB technology in hard and abrasive rock\, with focus on cutterhead design\, screw conveyor management\, and wear mitigation.\nApply predictive and data-driven maintenance principles to optimize TBM performance\, extend component life\, and ensure operational safety.\nAnticipate engineering adaptations for tunneling in complex mixed-face and high-pressure conditions\, including the use of hybrid cutterhead designs and main drive system upgrades.\n\nProgram timeline:\n\n5:30pm AEST: Presentation commences\n6:30pm AEST: Presentation concludes\n\nSpeakers:\n\nNestor Rubiralta\nTYLin Europe-Latam Line 9 TBM Tunnell\, Tunnelling Department Director\n\nNéstor Rubiralta\, tunnel engineer with over 20 years of international experience in metro\, road\, water\, and hydropower projects. Began as TBM Operations Supervisor on Barcelona Metro Line 9 before managing tunnel construction with Acciona and participating in design-and-build tendering for large-scale projects in Australia\, including East West Link Melbourne\, WestConnex Sydney\, and Forrestfield Airport Link Perth. Also worked as a global consultant with Tunnelconsult\, integrating contractor experience into design for constructability and efficiency. Currently serves as Tunnelling Department Director at TYLin Europe-Latam and Technical Director for Line 9 TBM tunnel for the last pending stretch. \n  \n\n\nFélix Dominguez\nBarcelona Metro Line 9 TBM Tunnel\, Assistant Director\n\nFélix Domínguez Mayans has over ten years of experience in tunnel engineering\, participating in a wide range of mechanized tunnelling projects worldwide. Since 2022\, he has been part of the construction site management team for Line 9\, serving as Assistant to the L9 Tunnel Director. Félix brings hands-on expertise from diverse tunnelling environments\, combining technical knowledge with practical site experience. He is also an active member of AETOS Young Members\, contributing to the professional development and networking within the tunnelling community. His career reflects a commitment to advancing tunnelling practices through collaboration and innovation. URL:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/ats-event/tunnelling-in-barcelona-line-9-final-stage/ LOCATION:Webinar – Online only CATEGORIES:Online,Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Tunnelling-in-barcelona.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20250924T130000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20250924T140000 DTSTAMP:20260513T234444 CREATED:20250903T060422Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250910T012311Z UID:137852-1758718800-1758722400@australiantunnellingsociety.com.au SUMMARY:The Interview Edge: Job Search Insights - Learning and Development Forum DESCRIPTION:Overview:\nJoin us for an informative learning and development forum that combines expert insights to help you build a stronger professional presence. Hosted by Patricia Kaziro\, Director of Impact Business School\, with guest speaker Craig Hiscock\, Technical Director – Global Fire Safety\, Engineering & Design at Sener\, this forum will be packed with valuable information specifically tailored for the tunnelling industry. \nThis event is open to the public including students and people seeking new employment opportunities. Come for an afternoon of professional growth\, networking\, and learning how to effectively market yourself. \nLearning outcomes:\n\nDefine Your Professional Brand: Learn how to identify and articulate your unique skills\, experiences\, and professional value to communicate your value in a new role.\nOptimise Your Professional Profile: Find out how to showcase your expertise and project experience and overcome common barriers in the Australian job market.\nAce the Interview: Gain a comprehensive understanding of crucial interview do’s and don’ts. This includes preparing for common questions\, effectively communicating your achievements and potential\, and avoiding common interview mistakes.\n\nSpeakers:\n \nPatricia Kaziro – Host \nDirector of Impact Business School \n  \n \nCraig Hiscock – Guest Speaker \nTechnical Director – Global Fire Safety\, Engineering & Design at Sener \nCraig has over 35 years’ experience in the fire engineering\, fire protection and fire safety industries. Craig has a high level of expertise\, comprehensive knowledge of\, and the ability to apply\, fire engineering concepts\, principles and methodologies related to tunnel\, building and structural fire safety. \nWith a constructor’s background and designer’s outlook paired with client-side experience\, Craig has been Fire Safety and M&E Design Lead for numerous major infrastructure projects in New Zealand\, Australia and other international jurisdictions. Craig’s success is partly drawn from his extensive expertise\, and from his ability to get buy-in from the right people to spread ownership and responsibility to take a project forward. \nThrough his background\, experience\, qualifications and ability to operate across a range of key stakeholder categories\, Craig has strongly contributed to several successful major infrastructure projects throughout Australia\, New Zealand and other international jurisdictions respectively. This has earned him the reputation of being a critical link between a project delivery team\, client and key stakeholder such as emergency services agencies \nSpecialties:\n– Transport fire safety including road\, rail and bus tunnels.\n– Heavy rail surface and elevated stations and elevated trackways.\n– Commercial and Industrial building fire safety.\n– Power infrastructure and mining fire safety.\n– Risk analysis URL:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/ats-event/the-interview-edge-job-search-insights/ LOCATION:Webinar CATEGORIES:Online,Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/LD-Forum-2-screeshot.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Brisbane:20250915T060000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Brisbane:20250915T190000 DTSTAMP:20260513T234444 CREATED:20250903T010819Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250903T011038Z UID:137732-1757916000-1757962800@australiantunnellingsociety.com.au SUMMARY:Tunnel settlement and subsidence monitoring DESCRIPTION:Overview:\nThis presentation will give a greater insight into the world leading GNSS innovative solution from Worldsensing\, which have already been deployed in many mine and infrastructure applications including in Australia and globally. Examples will be provided for settlement monitoring during and after tunnel construction and the instrumentation. Worldsensing are innovators and technology leaders in various aspects of monitoring and more recently launched the world’s first robust\, cost efficient wireless Autonomous GNSS solution as part of our G7 family of Loadsening devices\, which are expanding the capabilities of autonomous remote monitoring particularly in harsh environments globally. \nLearning outcomes:\nIn this presentation you will learn: \n\nInsight into GNSS innovative solution\nSettlement monitoring applications\nInstrumentation for settlement monitoring\n\nProgram timeline:\nIn-Person:\n5:30pm: Registrations open\n6:00pm: Presentation commences\n7:00pm: Presentation concludes\, networking continues\n7:30pm: Event concludes \nOnline:\n6:00pm: Presentation commences\n7:00pm: Presentation concludes \nSpeakers:\n \nMichal Dabrowski\nGlobal Head of GNSS and Geospatial\, Worldsensing\n\nMichal Australian-trained and experienced spatial and monitoring specialist\, having worked as an Surveying and civil engineer focus. With over 11 years\, Having worked extensively across remote parts of Australia on major projects\, including the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline (DBNGP)\, as well as large-scale mining and infrastructure operations such as the Perth Airport expansion\, the Melbourne Oil and Gas Refinery in Corio\, and the Sky Rail project. Michal is currently supporting the introduction of our newest innovation – the Worldsensing GNSS Meter .This technology offers precise\, automated displacement monitoring that can seamlessly complement other instrumentation\, enhancing both the efficiency and scope of monitoring programs.\n\n\n\n\nNeil Cunnington\nChannel Account Manager – Australasia\, Worldsensing\n\n\nNeil originally worked as an Aircraft Engineer after moving from Europe to Australia 14 years ago – Specialising on Aircraft flight training Simulators incorporating a range of Engineering applications such as Electrical / mechanical / monitoring / Avionic and Aircraft systems and subsequently 9 + years ago transitioned into Monitoring Sector working as Application engineer for environmental & instrumentation Monitoring for Campbell Scientific Australia. In more recent years working across predominantly Queensland and nationally role in the civil /Mining sector with geotechnical / Tailings applications using Geosynthetics\, and structural integrity applications\, for both General Civil and mining engineering projects. Neil now heads the Oceania Region over the last 2 years Worldsensing\, back to his roots in the Monitoring Sector using proven leading technology. URL:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/ats-event/tunnel-settlement-and-subsidence-monitoring/ LOCATION:Online and in person at: Level 9\, 340 Adelaide Street\, Brisbane CATEGORIES:Hybrid,Online,Queensland ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-03-110223.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250904T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250904T190000 DTSTAMP:20260513T234444 CREATED:20250821T014331Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250825T041925Z UID:132177-1757007000-1757012400@australiantunnellingsociety.com.au SUMMARY:The Victorian Tunnelling Centre - 5 years on DESCRIPTION:Please join ATS Victoria for this online and in person event!\nPresentation Overview\nThe Victorian Tunnelling Centre (VTC) commenced operations in August 2020.  Five years on its opening it has worked with thousands of workers on several tunnelling projects to induct them for underground operations and provide training in the construction of tunnels and supporting infrastructure.  A critical component of the training providing has been the use of interactive technologies.  These technologies have improved the engagement of the learner and their satisfaction with the program undertaken.  This presentation will step through the decision-making process used to determine approaches to the use of interactive learning technologies and provide an overview of the evolution of the VTC over the past five years and ideas on where to next. \nTimings\n\n5:30pm: Welcome and networking\n6:00pm: Presentation\n6:45pm: Q&As and post presentation networking\n\nVenue\nIn person and online \nSpeaker\n  \nDr Ross Digby \nRoss is the Associate Director for Industry Engagement and Projects at Holmesglen Institute and the Victorian Tunnelling Centre.  Ross has extensive leadership experience in the VET sector\, including the past 16 years at Holmesglen.  In these roles he has provided leadership and drive for several innovative initiatives including: the Victorian Tunnelling Centre and HVAC Centre of Excellence.  More recently\, Ross was the TAFE Directors Australia representative on the steering committee for the Clean Energy Capability Study\, undertaken by Jobs and Skills Australia in 2023. During 2024 Ross was undertook a fellowship through the International Specialised Skills Institute to gain a deeper understanding of the collaboration between educational institutions and Mega project contractors. \n  \nSponsor URL:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/ats-event/the-victorian-tunnelling-centre-5-years-on/ LOCATION:ARUP Melbourne\, Sky Park 1\, Melbourne Quarter\, 699 Collins Street\, Victoria\, 3008 CATEGORIES:Online,Victoria ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/VTC.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Brisbane:20250821T170000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Brisbane:20250821T190000 DTSTAMP:20260513T234444 CREATED:20250807T024535Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250808T060628Z UID:125068-1755795600-1755802800@australiantunnellingsociety.com.au SUMMARY:Incident sensing and fire safety in Heysen Tunnels DESCRIPTION:Join Matt and Conrad as they address questions from the ATS Systems\, Operations\, and Maintenance Group\, focusing on the surety of Fixed Fire-Fighting System (FFFS) activation in the Heysen Tunnels.\nGiven that the Heysen Tunnels Safety Upgrade and Refurbishment Project was brownfield exercise with unique challenges\, South Australia’s DIT recognised that a bespoke engineering approach was required rather than recycling a prior tunnel design. \nThis presentation will offer insights into their philosophical approach for brownfield tunnel refurbishment\, specifically detailing the innovative design of the flame-sensing camera supervision and explaining the absence of (traditional) linear heat detectors in the Heysen Tunnels. \nWhile the misting system installation was a significant undertaking in the Heysen Tunnels\, that topic was comprehensively covered in the previous ATS seminar in Adelaide back in February 2025 and will not be treated in detail here.  This presentation focuses on topics distinct from the paper planned for the Australasian Tunnelling Conference 2025 (ATC2025) in Perth this November. \nThe Presenters\nMatthew Taylor \n \nAs a Chartered Electrical Engineer\, Matthew has over 35 years of experience within the electrical\, mechanical\, control and communications systems engineering fields within underground transport infrastructure project delivery environment within the UK\, Australia and New Zealand. \nA recognised innovator in the design\, installation\, testing\, commissioning and the ongoing operation and maintenance of the technology that drives modern transportation systems\, Matthew has played pivotal roles in the delivery of several of Australia’s largest projects since his migration from the UK in July 1997. \nConrad Stacey \n \nDr Conrad Stacey is a Director of leading underground ventilation and fire safety consultants Stacey Agnew.  Conrad’s credits include seminal reports on livestock shipping heat stress risk\, and co-authorship of a paper on the gravitational energy drivers for the geodynamo.  He has worked on hypersonic upper atmospheric flight and river and flood plain hydraulics.  A common thread through Conrad’s work in varied areas is a core focus on the fundamental physics and the engineering thought involved\, all within the big picture of the community interest.  He will talk about the fire engineering basis for decisions during tunnel refurbishments. \nChair Diane Mather \nDiane Mather is Senior Design Manager at Queensland Hydro\, with over 25 years of experience on major projects\, including Clem7 (NSBT)\, Airport Link\, City Rail Link\, WestConnex M5 East\, West Gate\, Sydney Metro\, Melbourne Metro\, Brisbane Cross River Rail\, Inland Rail\, and now Borumba Pumped Hydro. \nIn 2021\, Diane was honoured as the inaugural winner of the Women in Tunnelling Outstanding Achievement Award by the Australian Tunnelling Society.  Diane is a dedicated role model\, mentor\, and advocate for attracting and retaining women in engineering. \nThe eVENT Space\nThe seminar will be onsite at the eVENT Space in Stacey Agnew’s offices\, and online.  Catering for those networking onsite after the eVENT will be by Yim Thai restaurant Middle Park\, which is why registration includes dietary requirements. URL:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/ats-event/incident-sensing-and-fire-safety-in-heysen-tunnels/ LOCATION:eVENT Space\, 4/35 Limestone St\, Darra\, Queensland\, 4076\, Australia CATEGORIES:Hybrid,Online,Queensland ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Heysen-tunnel-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250820T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250820T183000 DTSTAMP:20260513T234444 CREATED:20250811T012901Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250811T012901Z UID:125075-1755711000-1755714600@australiantunnellingsociety.com.au SUMMARY:Design Automation in Structural Engineering DESCRIPTION:Event overview \nDesign automation is changing the way structural engineers work\, allowing us to solve problems faster\, improve design clarity\, and unlock new levels of efficiency. But where do you start? And how do you make sure you’re using these tools in a safe and transparent way? \nIn this webinar\, Danish structural engineer Timo Harboe Zollner will walk us through real-world examples of how automation\, Python\, and AI tools can be applied in structural design. Timo’s work bridges engineering and programming\, with a strong emphasis on practicality\, making automation accessible to everyday engineers. \nWhether you’re a practicing engineer or team leader\, this session is a chance to see what’s possible\, explore real examples of engineering automation\, and identify opportunities to implement it in your own projects. \nWho should attend? \nThis webinar is suited to:\n• Tunnel/Structural engineers interested in learning how to use Python and automation tools.\n• Design managers curious about digital workflows and emerging capabilities.\n• Anyone in the built environment seeking smarter\, more efficient ways of working. \nEvent Details \n📅 Date: Wednesday 20 August 2025\n🕠 Time: 5:30–6:30pm AEST (Melbourne) | 9:30–10:30am CEST (Copenhagen)\n📍 Location: Online\n🎟️ Cost: Free (registration required) \nLearning outcomes \nIn this presentation\, you will:\n• See how small amounts of code can solve repetitive engineering problems.\n• Understand how AI tools can support design workflows safely and transparently.\n• Learn how to identify automation opportunities in your daily work.\n• Gain clear direction on what to learn next if you’re new to automation. \nAbout the speaker \n\nTimo Harboe Zollner\nFounder\, Timo Harboe ApS\nCreator\, Python for Structural Engineers \nTimo is a structural engineer based in Denmark with a background at firms such as Ramboll (High Rise) and Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG). He’s known for combining engineering with programming to develop fast\, transparent\, and replicable design workflows. Today\, he runs a consultancy focused on engineering automation and teaches engineers around the world how to use Python in their work. URL:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/ats-event/design-automation-in-structural-engineering/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Online ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/YM-webinar-1-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250717T183000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250717T193000 DTSTAMP:20260513T234444 CREATED:20250707T025443Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250708T010435Z UID:107068-1752777000-1752780600@australiantunnellingsociety.com.au SUMMARY:ATSymx BTSym: Underground Power: Pumped Hydro Developments in the UK and Australia DESCRIPTION:Event Overview\nThe Australian Tunnelling Society Young Members (ATSym) and the British Tunnelling Society Young Members (BTSym) are proud to host their first-ever joint international event\, uniting early-career professionals from opposite sides of the globe for a shared discussion on one of the most critical energy transition technologies: pumped hydro. \nWith pumped storage schemes gaining momentum as a key enabler of large-scale renewable energy storage\, this technical session will explore two major projects shaping the underground infrastructure landscape in their respective regions. \nJoin us for an engaging and collaborative session as we learn from each other’s challenges and achievements in delivering complex underground works for pumped hydro storage. \nThis is a rare opportunity to hear directly from professionals on two of the world’s most significant pumped hydro developments – don’t miss it. \nNOTE: If you are based in Sydney\, please consider attending in person from 6PM. It will be great opportunity for a catch up with colleagues and networking with new contacts.  \nWho Should Attend\nThis event is ideal for: \n\nYoung professionals and students in tunnelling\, geotechnical\, civil\, and hydro engineering\nEngineers and project managers working on energy infrastructure\nThose interested in large-scale underground construction and global perspectives on energy transition\nATS and BTS members and the wider tunnelling community\n\nEvent Agenda\n\nWelcome and Opening – ATSym\nIntroduction to BTSym\nBTSym Presentation: Tobias Bisenberger & Aitor Perez Suescun\nATSym Presentation: Igor Buvac & Sean Edwards\nJoint Q&A and Closing Remarks\n\nSpeakers – United Kingdom\n \nTobias Bisenberger\nConstruction Manager – Tunnels\, STRABAG\nTobias studied Civil Engineering in Vienna and completed his PhD in Mechanised Tunnelling\, focusing on contract models dealing with deviating construction timelines. He joined STRABAG in 2021 and has been involved in Pumped Storage Hydro schemes in the UK since 2022. Based in Vienna\, Tobias supports UK projects on a rotational basis\, contributing his tunnelling expertise to energy infrastructure. \n\nAitor Perez Suescun\nSenior Project Manager – Dams\, STRABAG\nAitor is a passionate civil engineer with over 12 years of global experience in ground engineering and dam construction. Having studied in Spain and Denmark\, he has worked across five countries and now resides in London\, UK. Aitor brings a deep understanding of multidisciplinary civil infrastructure delivery in complex environments. \nUK Presentation Overview\nThe presentation will outline the UK government’s “Clean Power 2030” action plan and its implications for pumped hydro development. Aitor and Tobias will provide an overview of the UK’s pipeline of pumped storage schemes and present a case study from the Scottish Highlands. The project\, supported by STRABAG\, involves optimising the reference design’s underground structures and represents a key step in the UK’s clean energy future. \nSpeakers – Australia\n \nIgor Buvac\nExperienced Engineer – Tunnels\, SMEC \nIgor is a Civil Engineer with over 5 years of experience across major infrastructure projects. He holds degrees from UNSW in Civil Engineering and Geotechnical Engineering. Igor has been a central part of the Snowy 2.0 Owner’s Team for over three years\, working across design\, TBM operations\, grouting\, and permanent linings. \n\nSean Edwards\nGraduate Engineer – Tunnels\, SMEC \nSean is a Graduate Engineer from Western Sydney University\, with hands-on experience in TBM and drill-and-blast tunnelling\, segmental linings\, caverns\, and intake shafts. He has contributed to automation and modelling tools using RS3\, FLAC\, and Strand7\, and brings a strong interdisciplinary approach to underground engineering and data-driven design. \nAustralia Presentation Overview\nSnowy 2.0 is Australia’s largest renewable energy project\, adding 2\,200 MW of pumped hydro capacity and deep energy storage to support the national transition to renewables. The presentation will provide a project update and technical insights into the construction of over 40km of underground works\, including a cavern complex 800m below ground. Igor and Sean will share lessons learned from design\, construction\, and coordination within one of Australia’s most iconic infrastructure projects. URL:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/ats-event/atsymx-btsym-underground-power-pumped-hydro-developments-in-the-uk-and-australia/ LOCATION:Webinar and IN PERSON at SMEC in Sydney\, Level 7\, 40 Mount Street\, North Sydney\, NSW\, 2060\, Australia CATEGORIES:National,New South Wales,Online,Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Coire-Glas-PSH_2022-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20250708T220000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20250708T233000 DTSTAMP:20260513T234444 CREATED:20250620T041011Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250620T042249Z UID:93827-1752012000-1752017400@australiantunnellingsociety.com.au SUMMARY:ITA Lecture - Design of fibre reinforced segments DESCRIPTION:This instalment of the ITA lecture series will focus on Design of fibre reinforced segments in collaboration with ITA AITES ITAtech. \nThe episode will feature three lectures\, including one by ATS member Dr David Oliviera\, and will finish with a Q&A with all speakers. It will begin at 13:00 CET. \n\nDesign and construction considerations for FRC tunnel segments – Verya Nasri\nDesign of fibre reinforced segments against concrete bursting and splitting – David Oliveira\nThe Lee Tunnel – Steel fibre segmental lining and other innovations – Charles Allen\n\nFollowing the three presentations there will be time for Q&A with the presenters \nThe Lunchtime lecture series remains free and open to all. For all those that cannot join ‘live’ online\, please register and you will receive a link to stream the episode after the event – this link will be valid for 24 hours only. After these 24 hours\, anyone wanting to watch the episode can do so by registering for the episode on the ITA website\, but there will be a small fee to watch. URL:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/ats-event/ita-lecture-design-of-fibre-reinforced-segments/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Online,Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Template.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20250626T170000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20250626T193000 DTSTAMP:20260513T234444 CREATED:20250527T051504Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250611T015119Z UID:78724-1750957200-1750966200@australiantunnellingsociety.com.au SUMMARY:Celebrating International Women in Engineering Day: “Together We Engineer” DESCRIPTION:Please note: this is a hybrid event so if you’re based in Sydney\, please come along! There will be refreshments and the opportunity to network after the panel discussion.  \nThe theme for International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) 2025 is “Together We Engineer”. This theme emphasises the importance of collaboration\, inclusivity\, and collective strength in shaping the future of engineering. It celebrates how women engineers across the globe are uniting to drive innovation\, break down barriers\, and create sustainable solutions that benefit communities worldwide. \nJoin us for the evening for an insightful panel discussion at Western Harbour Tunnel Office about “Inclusion in Tunnelling” with our wonderful speakers that include: \nIsabel Wang\, Senior Project Engineer – Cross Passages \n \nIsabel Wang is a civil engineer with 15 years of field experience in the bridge\, civil\, and tunnelling industries\, Isabel graduated with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from the University of Sydney and began her career as civil estimator\, seizing the opportunity to move into a site-based engineer role. During this time\, Isabel worked closely with site supervisors\, subcontractors\, and suppliers\, navigating the daily hustle of machinery\, drawings and construction crews. Isabel honed her technical skills and sparked her passion for leading teams\, building a solid foundation towards Project Engineer\, her current role as SPE and completion of an 8-month diploma course designed to advance the careers of female professionals. As a frontline leader\, she has successfully managed a number of complex\, billion-dollar projects for clients such as Transport for NSW and Sydney Metro. Her expertise in overseeing construction activities\, coupled with her leadership focus on safety\, efficiency\, and quality\, has been instrumental in her role. Her dedication and innovative problem-solving significantly contributed to the successful\, ahead-of-schedule\, and defect-free completion of the Sydney Olympic Park station box\, which she is immensely proud of. \nRaneen Nashi\, Project Engineer – North Fire Suppression \n \nRaneen Nashi is a mechanical engineer currently working as a Project Engineer on the Western Harbour Tunnel\, where she is responsible for delivering the fire suppression system for the northern section. She began her tunnelling career on WestConnex 3A\, gaining experience in both design and commissioning. Originally from Iraq\, Raneen completed her mechanical engineering degree in Australia after beginning her studies in biomechanics. Her interest in infrastructure and complex systems led her into the tunnelling sector. With a diverse technical background and cross-disciplinary experience\, she brings adaptability\, a practical mindset\, and a collaborative approach to delivering projects that benefit the wider community. \nEvonna Dai\, Project Engineer – Excavations \n \nEvonna Dai is a Project Engineer currently working on the Southern Launch Cavern Excavation Team for the Western Harbour Tunnel. She holds a double degree in Civil Engineering and Architecture from the University of Sydney. After starting her career in residential construction\, she transitioned into major infrastructure and tunnelling. The Western Harbour Tunnel marks her third tunnelling project\, following her work on WestConnex 3A and the CTP projects. Each project has provided unique challenges and rewarding experiences that have shaped her growing expertise in the industry. \nChristian D’Hondt- Construction Manager \n \nChristian D’Hondt has a successful track record in delivering major underground infrastructure projects across a range of contract models\, including Alliances\, ECI\, D&C\, Construct Only\, and ITC. He brings extensive knowledge and experience in all aspects of underground construction\, particularly in complex urban environments. Christian has worked with Tier 1 tunnelling contractors on projects ranging from $50 million to $3.2 billion. His experience includes TBMs\, road headers\, shaft excavations\, conveyors\, tunnel logistics\, civil structures\, mechanical and electrical fit-outs\, live rail interface works\, and the commissioning and handover of underground infrastructure \nThis event will be both in-person and available to attend online. URL:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/ats-event/together-we-engineer-international-women-in-engineering-day/ LOCATION:Community Information Centre\, Level 9\, 60 Miller Street\, North Sydney\, NSW CATEGORIES:Hybrid,New South Wales,Online ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/WHT-Hero-image-scaled-e1749534957203.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250612T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250612T190000 DTSTAMP:20260513T234444 CREATED:20250603T040246Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250604T005542Z UID:85947-1749749400-1749754800@australiantunnellingsociety.com.au SUMMARY:TBM Performance Optimization: Technical Approaches for Challenging Tunneling Environments DESCRIPTION:Presentation overview \nThis presentation presents advanced TBM engineering approaches that address complex challenges in contemporary tunnelling projects. The seminar provides technical insights into proven design strategies for managing difficult geological conditions\, improving excavation efficiency\, and reducing project risks across infrastructure\, mining\, and pumped hydro applications. \nThe discussion explores key engineering concepts that enhance project outcomes\, including advanced geological detection systems for improved ground characterization\, innovative excavation mechanics that adapt to varying formations\, integrated ground support solutions that optimize safety and progress rates\, and refined mucking systems that increase overall efficiency. These technical approaches are demonstrated through detailed case studies from recent mining and pumped hydro TBM projects\, illustrating how specific design decisions translate into measurable performance improvements and successful project delivery. \nThe presentation offers actionable engineering insights and validated approaches applicable to tunnel planning\, TBM specification development\, and solutions for challenging ground conditions. Technical and project management professionals involved in tunnelling operations will gain an understanding of methods that can be applied to enhance project performance. \nKey technical takeaways: \n\nDesign principles for customizing TBMs to address diverse geological challenges in tunnel construction\nEngineering solutions for optimizing excavation performance and construction efficiency in complex ground conditions\nCase study analysis demonstrating the relationship between technical decisions and project outcomes in risk management\n\nNote: This presentation will be held in person and online \nTimings \n\n5:30 PM Welcome and Networking\n6:00 PM Presentation\n6:45 PM Q&As and post presentation networking\n\nBeverages and refreshments will be provided. \nSpeaker biography \n \nLinran Hao is a Technical Lead at CREG with a background in mechanical engineering. He specializes in tunnel boring machines (TBMs) – the large machines used to dig tunnels underground. \nLinran has worked in TBM design and development for many years. He has led the design and management of over 10 TBM projects around the world\, giving him experience with different types of ground conditions and construction requirements in various countries. \nHe now focuses on developing\, managing\, and maintaining TBMs specifically for the Australian market. His main goal is to create tunnelling solutions that work more efficiently\, use less energy\, and provide better safety for workers and the public. Through his work\, Linran helps ensure that Australia’s tunnel construction projects benefit from reliable\, modern technology that meets the country’s specific needs. \nATS Victorian Chapter acknowledges the sponsorship by CREG. URL:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/ats-event/tbm-performance-optimization-technical-approaches-for-challenging-tunneling-environments/ LOCATION:ARUP Melbourne\, Sky Park 1\, Melbourne Quarter\, 699 Collins Street\, Victoria\, 3008 CATEGORIES:Online,Victoria ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Creg-event.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Perth:20250527T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Perth:20250527T190000 DTSTAMP:20260513T234444 CREATED:20250505T021210Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250509T033353Z UID:66133-1748367000-1748372400@australiantunnellingsociety.com.au SUMMARY:Design and Construction of Alkimos Seawater Desalination Project DESCRIPTION:Details\nOverview \nThe Australian Tunnelling Society (ATS)\, Australian Geomechanics Society (AGS)\, Australian Society of Trenchless Technology (ASTT) and Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) invite you to an evening of knowledge sharing\, Q&A\, and networking. \nEvent Synopsis \nThe first stage of the Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant (ASDP) is currently under construction by an alliance between Water Corporation\, Acciona\, and Jacobs. The plant is designed to produce 50 Gigalitres per annum\, with provision to extend to 100 gigalitres per annum in the future. Enabling earthworks to prepare the site for construction commenced in late 2023\, and works on the plant and associated infrastructure began in mid-2024. First water production is planned for 2028. \nThe offshore works include possibly the world’s largest secant piled peanut shaft that combines TBM launch and the permanent outfall chamber and intake pumping station.  The intake and outfall tunnels are designed for significant internal pressures\, and will be connected to intake and outfall structures on the sea bed via risers that are constructed in highly permeable soils. \nThis presentation will explain why the plant is needed to reduce dependence on rainfall and groundwater with a growing population. It gives an overview of the desalination process and the plant itself\, and the resulting demands for the seawater intake and brine outfall\, which are sized for the final 100 gigalitre per annum plant. The considerations that went into siting the intakes and outfalls in a highly environmentally sensitive location will be outlined\, how the resulting design process drove the need for the 2.6 km intake and 4 km outfall tunnels\, and the complex process of securing environmental approvals. It will also describe how the intake and outfall solutions on the sea bed minimise the impact to flora and fauna. \nThe presentation will then look at some of the challenges in designing and constructing the intake and outfall systems in a complex geotechnical setting that comprises highly variable Tamala Limestone and Ascot formations. This includes a description of the all the outfall structures and the tunnel boring machine selection for the highly variable ground conditions and high water pressures. \nEvent activities \nNetworking and refreshments \nPresentation \nNetworking and refreshments \nSpeakers \nAnthony Harding \nTechnical Director-Tunnels\, Jacobs \nAnthony Harding is Jacobs Global Principal for Tunnel Engineering. He gained a degree and PhD from Edinburgh University\, and has worked on a wide range of tunnel projects\, covering transportation\, water\, and power markets\, usually within multidisciplinary design-build environments\, frequently taking senior technical and design leadership roles. Anthony is Jacobs Global Principal for Tunnel Engineering\, and is currently the offshore design manage for the Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant\, working within the Alkimos Seawater Alliance (ASWA). \n  \nDamon Howes \nSenior Principal Engineer\, Water Corporation \n\n\nDamon Howes is Senior Principal Engineer\, Special Projects at Water Corporation.  Damon is a Chemical Engineer with 30 years of experience designing\, commissioning\, optimising and operating Water Industry assets.  He has worked in consulting roles and with Water Corporation having led multidiscipline engineering teams on several Alliances and EPCM contracts.  He is currently Water Corporation’s Design Manager for the Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant\, working within the Alkimos Seawater Alliance (ASWA). URL:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/ats-event/design-and-construction-of-alkimos-seawater-desalination-project/ LOCATION:The Shoe Bar\, Yagan Square\, William Street\, Perth\, WA\, Australia CATEGORIES:Online,Webinar,Western Australia ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ASDP-design-concept-e1746411500210.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20250409T230000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20250409T230000 DTSTAMP:20260513T234444 CREATED:20250331T024002Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250331T024148Z UID:49253-1744239600-1744239600@australiantunnellingsociety.com.au SUMMARY:ITA WG-23 Webinar DESCRIPTION:Abstract\nAFTES working group 28 has published 2 recommendations regarding shafts design and construction. These recommendations cover deep shafts and shallow shafts\, in order to give the tools for a better understanding of shaft construction projects and the different considerations associated with these structures. The presentation will give a detailed overview of the content of these texts. \nPresented by: Mr. Clément Gaudry\nClément Gaudry is a Project Manager at Arcadis. He has been involved in several shafts design and construction projects\, including the French deep geological nuclear waste disposal project – 5 deep shafts (>500 m depth)\, Grand Paris Express Line 18 – 4 security shafts (25 to 50 m depth)\, and a utility gallery for the Olympic Village (St Denis) – 2 access shafts (20 to 55 m depth\, including one elliptical shaft). He has been actively involved in AFTES and the working Group 28 for 10 years and has recently joined the ITA Working Group 23. As a young professional\, he is part of AFTES Young Members as an event coordinator to promote underground works and sharing knowledge to the new generation of engineers. \nTo join this free Webinar please use the following link from PC\, Mac\, Linux\, iOS or Android:\nhttps://mines.zoom.us/j/95492304262 URL:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/ats-event/ita-wg-23-webinar/ LOCATION:Webinar CATEGORIES:Online,Webinar ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Screenshot-2025-03-31-134123.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250319T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250319T193000 DTSTAMP:20260513T234444 CREATED:20250306T013843Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250306T020639Z UID:25739-1742405400-1742412600@australiantunnellingsociety.com.au SUMMARY:ATSym University Career Information Night DESCRIPTION:The ATSym invites all members\, non-members\, and students to join us for an engaging panel discussion featuring firsthand experiences from three tunnelling professionals at different stages of their careers. They will provide insights into working in Australia’s tunnelling industry. \nOverview \nThis is your chance to hear from and gain valuable guidance on career paths\, industry trends\, and challenges faced by tunnelling professionals from various sectors\, including consultants and contractors. Don’t miss this opportunity to gather wisdom from diverse perspectives and discover the exciting possibilities that await you in the world of tunnelling. \nFormat \nThis event is organized by ATSym and Monash BEST and will be held both online and in person. \nRegistration \nRegistrations are essential. \nSpeakers \n\nRussell Rooney – Project Director – CPB Contractors\nNadine Makin – Principal – Aurecon\nHung Anh Dau – System Engineer – NEL STC\n\nSponsor \nHuge thanks to our sponsor Herrenknecht. \n \nATSym x Monash BEST Industry Night 2025 URL:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/ats-event/atsym-university-career-information-night/ LOCATION:ARUP Melbourne\, Sky Park 1\, Melbourne Quarter\, 699 Collins Street\, Victoria\, 3008 CATEGORIES:Online,Victoria ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/IMG_1930-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20250311T230000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20250312T003000 DTSTAMP:20260513T234444 CREATED:20250303T035021Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250303T035316Z UID:23179-1741734000-1741739400@australiantunnellingsociety.com.au SUMMARY:ITA Lecture - Mechanised rehabilitation and lining works in tunnelling DESCRIPTION:This instalment of the Lunchtime lecture series will focus on ‘Mechanised rehabilitation and lining works in tunnelling’ in collaboration with ITA AITES WG14. \n\nTES and LEM – two examples of current developments in mechanised tunnel renewal and installation of precast segmental lining – Volker Breuning\nExperience with the renovation of the Fachinger & Cramberger Tunnel with a mechanised tunnel enlargement system – Ulf Kirsten\nInnovative precast segment lining of a pair of ‘D’ shaped\, road header excavated decline tunnels by using a Lining Erection Machine – Nick Lewis\n\nFollowing the three presentations there will be time for Q&A with the presenters \nThe lecture series remains free and open to all. For all those that cannot join ‘live’ online\, please register and you will receive a link to stream the episode after the event – this link will be valid for 24 hours only. After these 24 hours\, anyone wanting to watch the episode can do so by registering for the episode on the ITA website\, but there will be a small fee to watch. URL:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/ats-event/ita-lecture-mechanised-rehabilitation-and-lining-works-in-tunnelling/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Online ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Template.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250227T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250227T190000 DTSTAMP:20260513T234444 CREATED:20250214T020143Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250218T013745Z UID:20309-1740677400-1740682800@australiantunnellingsociety.com.au SUMMARY:Suburban Rail Loop East: Tunnels North Improving sustainability outcomes in tunnel design and construction DESCRIPTION:Overview \nThe first section of the Suburban Rail Loop\, known as SRL East\, is a fully underground 26 kilometre metro line in Victoria\, stretching from Cheltenham in the south to Box Hill in the east. This segment will feature six stations.\nNew connections will be established with current heavy rail stations at Cheltenham\, Clayton\, Glen Waverley\, and Box Hill\, and new stations will be constructed at Monash and Burwood. Particularly\, Clayton interchange is designed to be a major transport hub\, linking regional travellers to Suburban Rail Loop. These six underground stations will be constructed 17 to 23 metres beneath the surface using a ‘bottom-up’ approach. The entrances to these stations will be conveniently located near existing train stations and key local facilities. \nThis joint presentation with Terra Verde JV\, which was awarded contract for SRL East Tunnels North\, Suburban Rail Loop Authority (SRLA) and Arup will cover progress updates on the work packageand sustainability design and initiatives adopted as part of the delivery phase of the project. \nEvent program – in person\n• 5.30 pm AEDT: Networking and light refreshments\n• 6.00 pm AEDT: Presentation commences with Q&A\n• 7.00 pm AEDT: Presentation concludes \nEvent program – online\n• 6.00 pm AEDT: Presentation commences with Q&A (see Teams Workshop link in your registration email)\n• 7.00 pm AEDT: Presentation concludes \nSpeakers \n\nChris Lyons\nDeputy Package Director SRLA\nFabio Ciciotti\nProject Director Terra Verde JV\nLaurent Auvinet\nConstruction Director Terra Verde JV\nMorgan Foster\nArup\, Senior Sustainability Engineer\n\nSponsors\n \n  URL:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/ats-event/suburban-rail-loop-east-tunnels-north-improving-sustainability-outcomes-in-tunnel-design-and-construction/ LOCATION:Online and in person at Arup Melbourne\, Sky Park 1\, Melbourne Quarter\, 699 Collins Street\, Victoria\, 3008 CATEGORIES:Online,Victoria ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Burwood-timelapse-2024-SRLA-approved-for-use-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250220T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250220T210000 DTSTAMP:20260513T234444 CREATED:20241218T002732Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241218T003014Z UID:20066-1740078000-1740085200@australiantunnellingsociety.com.au SUMMARY:Innovative water management for underground constructions DESCRIPTION:Summary \nWater ingress during underground construction has been known to cause structural instability\, heightened maintenance costs\, and pose an array of safety hazards. These hazards range from the seemingly minimal moisture damage to the more severe cracking.  Traditionally\, solutions such as grouting\, drainage pipes\, and repair injections have been employed. However\, these methods are not only temporary but also prove to be rather costly\, creating a case for an innovative and sustainable alternative.  This webinar will present water management using drainage mesh solutions along with case studies from projects that have pioneered the usage of these mesh solutions. They provide a tangible demonstration of reductions in environmental impact\, lower costs\, and enhanced durability across diverse environments and geologies. \nProgram Timeline \n6.00pm AEST – Webinar commences \n6.45pm AEST – Q&A with speakers \n7.00pm AEST – Webinar concludes \nLearning Outcomes\nParticipants will gain an understanding of how to mitigate water pressure risks using monolithic drainage mesh solutions\, offering a sustainable alternative.\nThrough case studies\, participants will acquire practical knowledge on applying drainage mesh techniques in diverse underground construction scenarios. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpeakers \n\n\nJohnny Poulsen\nCEO\nDolenco Tunnel Systems \nWith over 25 years of experience of building markets for waterproofing and concrete repair solutions\, he has founded and managed businesses in distribution and subcontracting of a wide range of specialized solutions. Johnny Poulsen has during this time accumulated know how and expertise on tunnel and underground structures on the international market. With his experience\, he has been leading the development of new\, innovative business solutions\, to accommodate the changing needs in underground construction and continues to develop and adapt in the increasingly changing conditions for construction.\n\n\n\n\n\nSergii Tabachnikov\nGeo Technical Engineer\nDolenco Tunnel Systems \nDr. Tabachnikov is Associate Professor at the Department of Geotechnics\, Underground Structures and Hydrotechnical Construction at School of Civil and Environmental Engineering of O.M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv\, Ukraine. He received his Ph.D. in 2015. An active member of the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering\, he is involved in projects in the area of geotechnical surveys\, including soil investigation. Tabachnikov is researching the interaction of underground structures with the soil base\, including water-saturated ones\, and is a technical consultant in Dolenco Tunnel Systems.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKseniya Onopko\nBusiness Development Manager\nDolenco Tunnel Systems \nWith over 15 years of experience in building markets for construction products\, Kseniya is a specialist in growing business and developing new international networks of partners in many countries. Kseniya has during this time accumulated know how and expertise and adapted it to the international market of the tunnel and underground structures. With her experience\, she has created successful sales and service teams and managed them successfully for businesses. URL:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/ats-event/innovative-water-management-for-underground-constructions/ LOCATION:Webinar – Online only CATEGORIES:Online ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://australiantunnellingsociety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/8420227b056546fcb8323862c98a7c22.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR