Considerations for designers and constructors to deliver practical operation and maintenance outcomes
2023-12-07 19:00 - 20:00 (Australia/Brisbane) | Online and in person at: Level 9, 340 Adelaide Street, Brisbane
Overview
Gain insight into tunnel maintenance as the presentation contrasts key considerations for designers/constructors with maintenance regimes over tunnel operational service life.
Focusing on the interface between tunnel systems is key to meeting design life requirements and ensuring a maintainable fit-for-service underground space.
The presentation will look at case studies both locally and internationally, as well as provide insight into what systems are in place for tunnel maintenance after a project is handed over to the operator.
Learning outcomes
You will gain insights on the general complexities with writing O&M manuals for civil aspects. This includes consideration for durability, access, frequency, interpretation of design intent, defining what is reasonable for maintenance and determining whether it can be reasonably completed.

Tunnel linings, seepage and anchors.
Cable trays and infrastructure.
Vent stations.
Cut and cover areas.
Drainage systems (groundwater and stormwater).

About the speaker
Kaylah MacIntosh, Technical Services Manager, John Holland

Based in Brisbane, Kayla Macintosh is a Mechanical Engineer with a Masters in Geophysics working for John Holland as a Technical Services Manager. Kaylah is an experienced underground space engineer with design, construction and maintenance experience in tunnelling & infrastructure spanning over 10 years. Kaylah has previously held roles in operational road tunnel capital works delivery, which she leverages to drive improved Operation and Maintenance outcomes through smart tunnel system design solutions on in-flight projects.

EA Webinar - Construction engineering challenges in complex Fire and Life Safety system upgrades
2024-05-22 12:00 - 13:00 (Australia/Sydney)
Overview
This session will address the challenges of estimating, designing, and constructing a complex fire life safety upgrade project in the Melbourne Underground Rail Loop’s brownfield urban rail network environment.
We will discuss the knowns and unknowns in the fire engineering design phase, the access-constrained construction phase, and the unpredictable testing and commissioning phase.
Key competencies from the Construction Engineering Learning and Development guide to be discussed include developing project methods, controlling project quality, ensuring a safe working environment, and managing contract obligations.
This webinar forms part of the Construction series of CPD.
Who should attend?
This session is relevant to construction engineers, from site engineers to project managers, especially those working in brownfield environments or managing complex railway projects.
Learning outcomes

Key fire engineering and design principles for upgrading existing train stations
Appropriate risk management in a brownfield environment
Importance of planning and scope – access to live railways
Lessons learned from Testing and Commissioning – how to predict the unpredictable

About the speakers

Jan Nadarajah
Project Manager, ACCIONA Australia
.
Jan Nadarajah is a seasoned Engineering / Project Manager with over 15 years of experience designing and delivering complex and varied infrastructure projects in the transport, water and international development sectors. She is a keen problem solver and particularly loves challenging engineering projects. Jan also has an interest in social science and has a graduate degree in psychology. She believes in progressing towards equality both in and out of the workplace.

Daniel West
Senior Mechanical Engineer, WSP
.
Daniel West is currently serving as the engineering manager for the MURL Fire & Life Safety Upgrade project (AWP5), having previously worked as the design area manager for the same project since May 2021.

Daniel has over 12 years of experience in building services / infrastructure consulting in Australia and New Zealand. This has included a mix of rail, industrial and commercial projects. Throughout Daniel’s time at WSP, he has held project management roles, including at SPA as a package lead for successfully delivered works packages (IWP, AWP2 and AWP3) over the last five years.
Previously he provided leadership of the mechanical team at SPA for other SPA rail projects. Prior to commencing on SPA, Daniel lead multiple building projects as the WSP project lead including childcare centres, community hub, hospital upgrades and residential / aged care projects.”

Esteban Santacruz CPEng
Fire Safety Engineer, Transport Systems, WSP
.
Esteban is a Chartered Professional Engineer with expertise in engineering consultancy working in the field of fire safety in Australia and Europe in underground infrastructure and in designing fire safety strategies, including railways and road tunnels infrastructure.

Esteban specialises in the design of fire safety systems using local and international fire safety engineering principles in underground structures. Esteban is currently acting as Subject Matter Expert for three of the largest infrastructure projects in Victoria; the Melbourne Underground Rail Loop Stage 2, the Metro Tunnel Project and North East Link Project.
He has provided advice for different public transport operators to address aging infrastructure and also led tender works for new infrastructure projects. His capabilities include bespoke smoke management strategies, mass underground evacuation analysis, structural fire analysis and risk analysis for underground rail stations and tunnels.

Workshop - Achieving, demonstrating and accepting appropriate fire safety in Australian tunnels
2024-10-11 13:00 - 17:00 (Australia/Brisbane) | eVENT Space, 4/35 Limestone St, Darra, Queensland, 4076, Australia
Join us for this half-day workshop in Brisbane.
Workshop summary
The ATS has established a diverse, representative Working Group to progress an updated revision of Australia’s tunnel fire safety standard AS4825. It is proposed to be titled “Fire in Tunnels”, covering fire safety and asset resilience. The governance around how an appropriate level of fire safety is demonstrated and accepted for a tunnel is an extremely important topic to be covered by such a standard. Australia has unique legal and political requirements, and Australian fire engineering practice has a diverse set of approaches, there is a need to ‘ventilate’ and share views on the approaches applied, and learn what we can from other jurisdictions.
This workshop will provide a forum for working group members, industry stakeholders and fire engineering practitioners to engage on the issue. It is not primarily a training session, although it will certainly be informative, and worth attending for that purpose alone. It will be a wide-ranging discussion / debate, presenting and challenging ideas, with an outcome of consensus as to how, out of the options, a standard should give guidance on this matter for the Australian context. A position paper will be produced, that will also inform the drafting of the new standard.
The panellists, who bring leading experience in tunnel fire engineering in Australia and internationally, will each make short presentations, curated with the goal of eliciting technical discussions, and suggestions topics for inclusion or exclusion for the updated draft standard.
Overseas panellists will join online. Australian participants are strongly encouraged to attend in person.
Moderator: Nigel Casey
Nigel is a careful, accurate thinker, whose career has seen him ponder the issues on fire risk acceptance in major underground road and rail projects, from a government perspective. He has been active on the Austroads Tunnel Taskforce, and in raising and prosecuting risk-related development projects.
Rapporteur: Diane Mather
Diane is the driving force of AS4825 revision, taking on the task of capturing the outcomes.
Panelists:

Bernhard Kohl, foremost practitioner in tunnel safety and risk analysis, based in Austria but practicing globally, including on the Australasian DG method with Conrad Stacey.
Michael Beecroft, leading the contributions to AS4825 from fire brigades (AFAC), a fire safety engineer working for the Queensland Fire Department, with experience working in private industry and consulting.
Craig Hiscock, a tunnel fire safety and tunnel systems technical director with design delivery and design review experience.
Amer Magrabi, Society of Fire Safety Representative and former AS 4825:2011 committee member.
David Radcliffe, Rail industry ‘wise elder’ and Strategic Adviser to Suburban Rail Loop, representing owners and operators.
Ingo Riess, a leading Zurich-based tunnel ventilation and safety consultant, with experience in Australia and many other countries.
Conrad Stacey, Chair of the AS4825 Working Group, well known in the underground ventilation and fire engineering industry internationally.
Arnold Dix, Australia’s celebrity tunneller, barrister and International Tunnelling Association President, keeping us on a sound legal basis.

Participants:
You (we very much hope), particularly if you want to contribute.
Details:
Date: 11 October 2024
Time: 1 pm to 5 pm, with breaks, followed by refreshments and erudite discussion till late.
Cost: Free in person (also free on-line, but you don’t get any post-event refreshments or erudite discussion that way).
Location: eVENT Space, 4/35 Limestone St, Darra, Queensland, 4076. On-street parking is available. eVENT Space is a 10 to 15 minute walk from the Darra train station, which has direct services from the city and indirect services from Brisbane airport, with transfer at one city station. Pickup and drop-off at the station will also be arranged for anyone requesting it.
The session is supported by the Australian Tunnelling Society and by the Society of Fire Safety. It is sponsored by Stacey Agnew through their eVENT Space.
Registration:
To register your interest to attend please click here. To make other enquiries, email event@staceyagnew.com.

Technical Seminar Ground Stabilisation by Ground Freezing: International Experience
2024-11-14 17:00 - 19:00 (Australia/Sydney) | ARUP Melbourne, Sky Park 1, Melbourne Quarter, 699 Collins Street, Victoria, 3008
Join us for this hybrid event to explore the theory, applications, and case studies of ground freezing.
Note: when you register, please specify if you will be attending in person or online.
About Ground Freezing
Artificial ground freezing is a construction technique that is used in the construction of shafts, mines and tunnels to provide temporary ground support and groundwater control when other conventional methods such as dewatering, shoring and grouting or soil mixing are not feasible.
Ground freezing is a versatile construction technique used to temporarily solidify the ground. By inserting pipes and circulating a cold brine or refrigerant, heat is extracted from the soil, causing it to freeze and form a solid mass. This technique is invaluable in challenging conditions, such as in soft ground or the presence of groundwater.
Presentation

Ground freezing principles and applications
Ground characterisation and laboratory testing for ground freezing design
In situ monitoring during construction
Project examples from various countries

Speaker
Michael Löffler, a leading expert in ground freezing, heads the group at CDM Smith (Germany) specialising in this technique. His projects include the cross passages at the Silvertown and High Speed 2 tunnels in London, the tunnels under the Suez Canal in Ismailia (Egypt), the new construction of the federal intelligence service building in Berlin, the North-South metro line in Cologne and the Post Tower high-rise in Bonn.
Sponsors

ITA Lecture Series #43 - Contractual tools for good project management
2025-02-11 23:00 - 2025-02-12 00:30 (Australia/Sydney) | Webinar – Online only
This instalment of the Lunchtime lecture series will focus on contractual tools for good project management. This episode will feature three lectures:
• Good contracts need good tenders – Matthias Neuenschwander
• Project delivery through partnership – Neil Paynter
• BIM in UGW contracts – Rita Sanfilippo
Following the three presentations there will be time for Q&A with the presenters
The 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.

ITA WG-23 Webinar
2025-04-09 23:00 (Australia/Sydney) | Webinar
Abstract
AFTES 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.
Presented by: Mr. Clément Gaudry
Clément 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.
To join this free Webinar please use the following link from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android:
https://mines.zoom.us/j/95492304262

Preparing Citylink for Integration with Westgate Tunnel Project
2025-04-28 17:30 - 19:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | Aurecon, Level 8, 850 Collins Street, Docklands, VIC, 3008
Please join us for a hybrid event: Preparing Citylink for Integration with Westgate Tunnel Project
Overview
On completion of the West Gate Tunnel (WGT) Project, together with CityLink, Transurban’s integrated road network in Victoria will be operable from a single primary location.
Discover how one of our largest infrastructure projects is being seamlessly integrated, while maintaining the Customer Experience, Functional Resilience, and Business Continuity that we provide on Victoria’s most heavily trafficked road corridors.
This presentation will provide insight into our associated strategy, risk landscape, integration sequencing and operational readiness.
Registrations are essential
Timings
In person: 5.30-7.30 AEST
Online: 6:00pm-7:00pm AEST
Program
5.30 pm – 6.00 pm AEST Networking (catering provided)
6.00 pm – 7.00 pm AEST Presentation
7.30 pm – AEST Event concludes
Speaker

Simon Irving
Engineering Manager, MIEAust NER MIMechE CEng
SIrving@Transurban.com
www.linkedin.com/in/simontirving
Simon Irving is an Engineering Manager at Transurban. A recognised Strategic Leader, Chartered Professional Engineer and certified Project Manager, Simon has 20 years’ international experience in Engineering Leadership, Project Delivery, and Asset Management of large-scale, complex, and critical infrastructure.
Simon has spent the majority of his career in Australia, as well as stints in Europe, China and the Middle East, with a focus on delivery, integration, and operations of multi-disciplinary engineering solutions in metallurgy, materials handling, and transport industries.
Event Sponsor
Tunnel and Civil Constructability Consulting

Design and Construction of Alkimos Seawater Desalination Project
2025-05-27 17:30 - 19:00 (Australia/Perth) | The Shoe Bar, Yagan Square, William Street, Perth, WA, Australia
Details
Overview
The 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.
Event Synopsis
The 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.
The 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.
This 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.
The 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.
Event activities
Networking and refreshments
Presentation
Networking and refreshments
Speakers
Anthony Harding
Technical Director-Tunnels, Jacobs
Anthony 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).

Damon Howes
Senior Principal Engineer, Water Corporation

Damon 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).

Early Career CPD: shaping the future of tunnelling
2025-07-01 05:00 - 18:00 (Australia/Sydney)
Overview
The tunnelling industry in Australia is experiencing significant growth, and as an early career engineer, now is the perfect time to build a comprehensive understanding of what this sector involves. This session invites three experienced professionals from the tunnelling sector, each at different career stages, to provide their perspective on entering the industry; highlighting the challenges they’ve faced, the skills they’ve developed, and the invaluable lessons they’ve learned along the way. From graduating into the industry to managing complex projects, you’ll hear about their real-world experiences and the strategies they used to overcome obstacles and thrive in this sector.
This session will support young engineers in developing a strong foundation of knowledge for the sector. Attendees will gain practical advice based on lived experiences, develop an understanding of the future trends in the industry and learn what opportunities lie ahead as the sector continues to evolve.
Who should attend?
This webinar is suited to young engineers looking to develop an understanding of the tunnelling sector and gain from industry experiences.
Event series
This webinar is part of the Young Engineers Australia (YEA) Early Career CPD series. Events will take place on the following dates:

Thursday 29 May 2025, 1.00 pm – 1.45 pm AEST, In the Works: sharing stories of skills in practise
Tuesday 3 June 2025, 5.00 pm – 6.00 pm AEST, Early Career CPD: innovative engineering – problem solving in high pressure environments

Previous sessions in this series are available on EA OnDemand.
Learning outcomes
In this presentation, you will:

Learn key lessons from the early stages of a tunnelling career.
Discover effective pathways to building a successful career in tunnelling.
Gain insights into emerging opportunities and future trends in the tunnelling industry.

About the speakers
Dejan Devrnja MIEAust
Senior Design Coordinator – Tunnels, CPB
Dejan completed his Masters of Engineering, Civil, from the University of Melbourne and was awarded the Kinsman Studentship Award. He is currently employed as a Senior Design Coordinator – Tunnels for CPB Contractors at Suburban Connect Consortium (CPB Acciona Ghella) on Suburban Rail Loop Work Package C.

Romy Wolstencroft GradIEAust
Graduate Engineer, GHD
Romy completed her Bachelor of Engineering with first class honours, from Queensland University of Technology, and is currently employed as a graduate tunnel engineer at GHD. Romy loves gaining experience in the Engineering field of either civil, structural or environmental, learning new skills and applying her current knowledge to make an impact on the world.

Aaron Lippett MIEAust
Lead Engineer, Aurecon
Aaron is a lead tunnel engineer with experience in the design and construction of major tunnel projects. Aaron bridges the gap between technical and managerial leadership, working directly with clients to develop coordinated and constructible solutions to technical project issues. Aaron is known for his extended contributions on major projects, often serving through the full project life-cycle from design to construction and completions. Aaron serves as the current ATS Young Members Secretary and NSW Events Coordinator. He is part of the ATS Tunnel Guidelines Working Group as the primary author the analytical and numerical methods chapters.

ITA Lecture - Design of fibre reinforced segments
2025-07-08 22:00 - 23:30 (Australia/Sydney) | Online
This instalment of the ITA lecture series will focus on Design of fibre reinforced segments in collaboration with ITA AITES ITAtech.
The 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.

Design and construction considerations for FRC tunnel segments – Verya Nasri
Design of fibre reinforced segments against concrete bursting and splitting – David Oliveira
The Lee Tunnel – Steel fibre segmental lining and other innovations – Charles Allen

Following the three presentations there will be time for Q&A with the presenters
The 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.

ATSymx BTSym: Underground Power: Pumped Hydro Developments in the UK and Australia
2025-07-17 18:30 - 19:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | Webinar and IN PERSON at SMEC in Sydney, Level 7, 40 Mount Street, North Sydney, NSW, 2060, Australia
Event Overview
The 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.
With 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.
Join 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.
This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from professionals on two of the world’s most significant pumped hydro developments – don’t miss it.
NOTE: 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.
Who Should Attend
This event is ideal for:

Young professionals and students in tunnelling, geotechnical, civil, and hydro engineering
Engineers and project managers working on energy infrastructure
Those interested in large-scale underground construction and global perspectives on energy transition
ATS and BTS members and the wider tunnelling community

Event Agenda

Welcome and Opening – ATSym
Introduction to BTSym
BTSym Presentation: Tobias Bisenberger & Aitor Perez Suescun
ATSym Presentation: Igor Buvac & Sean Edwards
Joint Q&A and Closing Remarks

Speakers – United Kingdom

Tobias Bisenberger
Construction Manager – Tunnels, STRABAG
Tobias 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.

Aitor Perez Suescun
Senior Project Manager – Dams, STRABAG
Aitor 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.
UK Presentation Overview
The 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.
Speakers – Australia

Igor Buvac
Experienced Engineer – Tunnels, SMEC
Igor 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.

Sean Edwards
Graduate Engineer – Tunnels, SMEC
Sean 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.
Australia Presentation Overview
Snowy 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.

The Interview Edge: Job Search Insights - Learning and Development Forum
2025-09-24 13:00 - 14:00 (Australia/Sydney) | Webinar
Overview:
Join 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.
This 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.
Learning outcomes:

Define Your Professional Brand: Learn how to identify and articulate your unique skills, experiences, and professional value to communicate your value in a new role.
Optimise Your Professional Profile: Find out how to showcase your expertise and project experience and overcome common barriers in the Australian job market.
Ace 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.

Speakers:

Patricia Kaziro – Host
Director of Impact Business School

Craig Hiscock – Guest Speaker
Technical Director – Global Fire Safety, Engineering & Design at Sener
Craig 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.
With 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.
Through 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
Specialties:
– Transport fire safety including road, rail and bus tunnels.
– Heavy rail surface and elevated stations and elevated trackways.
– Commercial and Industrial building fire safety.
– Power infrastructure and mining fire safety.
– Risk analysis

Tunnelling in Barcelona Line 9: Final Stage
2025-09-25 17:30 - 18:30 (Australia/Brisbane) | Webinar – Online only
Overview
This 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.
Learning outcomes:
By attending this webinar, you will be able to:

Understand the refurbishment process required to reactivate a TBM after a decade-long shutdown, including underground component replacement and upgrades.
Evaluate excavation strategies for operating EPB technology in hard and abrasive rock, with focus on cutterhead design, screw conveyor management, and wear mitigation.
Apply predictive and data-driven maintenance principles to optimize TBM performance, extend component life, and ensure operational safety.
Anticipate engineering adaptations for tunneling in complex mixed-face and high-pressure conditions, including the use of hybrid cutterhead designs and main drive system upgrades.

Program timeline:

5:30pm AEST: Presentation commences
6:30pm AEST: Presentation concludes

Speakers:

Nestor Rubiralta
TYLin Europe-Latam Line 9 TBM Tunnell, Tunnelling Department Director

Néstor 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.

Félix Dominguez
Barcelona Metro Line 9 TBM Tunnel, Assistant Director

Félix 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.

ITA Lecture - Pushing the limits in urban conventional tunnelling
2025-10-14 22:00 - 23:30 (Australia/Sydney) | Online
Upcoming lecture
Date: Tuesday 14th October 2025
Time: 13:00 – 14:30 CET / 22:00 – 23:30 AEDT (online presentation)
Duration: 1 ½ hours
Topic: Pushing the limits in urban conventional tunnelling
This instalment of the Lunchtime lecture series will focus on Pushing the limits in urban conventional tunnelling in collaboration with ITA AITES WG19.
The 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.

Introduction to the new guideline for the conventional tunnelling in an urban setting – Etienne Garin
Case study – Vojtech Gall
Case study – Robert Galler

Following the three presentations there will be time for Q&A with the presenters
The 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
Register for the events here: Lunchtime lecture series#49 – ITACET

Cavidrain in Tunnels: 25 Years of International Service
2025-11-20 19:00 - 20:00 (Australia/Sydney)
Exploring advancements in tunnel drainage design and construction through international case studies from Australia, Hong Kong, and the UK.
Overview
This 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.
Learning Outcomes
By attending this session, participants will:
1. Develop an understanding of innovative approaches to tunnel drainage design and how these differ from traditional methods.
2. Learn from international case studies illustrating successful implementation and long-term performance.
3. Understand key design and construction considerations, including practical dos and don’ts derived from field experience.
Speakers
Richard Clarke
Sector Manager – Rail and Tunnels, ABG

Richard 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).

Goran Erak
Director of Civil Engineering, ABG Geosynthetics

Goran 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.

High speed rail tunnel aerodynamics
2026-02-26 17:30 - 18:30 (Australia/Sydney) | Webinar, Register via the link to join!
Overview
The 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.
In 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.
This 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.
Learning outcomes
In this event, you will:

have 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
obtain a good overview of different systems that are affected and will give the audience a general understanding of the problem.

Program

5.30 pm AEDT: Presentation begins
6.30 pm AEDT: Presentation ends

About the speakers

Michele Mossi
President, CEO and Founder, GESTE

Michele 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.

Paolo Molteni
Project Manager – Business Unit Manager FLOWS, GESTE

Paolo 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.

ITA Lecture - Immersed tunnels as an innovative solution
2026-04-14 21:00 - 22:30 (Australia/Sydney)
Overview
This instalment of the Lunchtime lecture series will focus on ‘Immersed tunnels as an innovative solution’. The session is in collaboration with ITA AITES WG11.
The episode will feature three parts and will finish with a Q&A with all speakers. It will begin at 13:00 CEST (9pm AEST).

Introduction to immersed tunnels – Marcel ‘t Hart
First immersed tunnel in the Middle East; Khor Al‑Zubair tunnel – Martijn Smitt
Weserquerung, a challenging river crossing – Jens Classen

Following the three presentations there will be time for Q&A with the presenters
The 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.
Register for the event here: https://www.itacet.org/session/lunchtime-lecture-series55/

Digital engineering on the North East Link
2026-04-23 17:00 - 19:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Delve Underground, Level 15 / 385 Bourke Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
Event overview:
Digital 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.
In 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.
Learning outcomes:

Understand the digital engineering requirements and challenges faced on the North East Link project.
Explore practical approaches using computational design to overcome complex tunnel engineering issues.

Presenters:

Elnaz Saminfar
Associate Digital Engineer at Delve Underground
Elnaz 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.

Soheila Moradi
Digital Engineering Manager – Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority (VIDA)

Soheila 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.

Blake Bambridge
Fire Systems Sales – FireSense
With 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.

Bharat Sharma
Operation and Maintenance Asset Manager on the North East Link Project (NEL)
Bharat 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.

This is a hybrid event, hosted at Delve Underground’s Melbourne office at Level 15, 385 Bourke Street and online.
Please note, physical attendance is capped at 50 people due to spatial requirements.

Choosing the right VSD for tunnel ventilation application
2026-05-13 17:30 - 18:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | Online and in person at EA Melbourne, Level 26, 181 William Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
Overview
In 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.
Participants 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.
Learning outcomes
In this event, attendees will be able to:

identify the root causes of high peak voltages in AFE VSD tunnel applications
evaluate why conventional filtering methods may not adequately protect motors apply practical design and specification strategies to prevent premature motor failure
select VSD and mitigation solutions that improve reliability and extend asset life

Program
In-person:

5.00 pm AEST: Guest arrivals and registrations
5.30 pm AEST: Presentation begins
6.15 pm AEST: Q/A begins
6.30 pm AEST: Event close

Online:

5.30 pm AEST: Presentation begins
6.30 pm AEST: Presentation ends

About the speakers

Joris Feekman
Regional Sales Manager, Danfoss Drives

Joris 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.

Husain Natalwala
Business Development Manager, Danfoss Drives
Husain 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.

The ground investigation for a storage cavern in metamorphic rock at 600 m depth
2026-06-04 18:00 - 19:00 (Australia/Brisbane) | Online and in person at: Level 9, 340 Adelaide Street, Brisbane
Overview
This presentation describes the processes used in the investigations for a deep compressed air storage cavern in a complex metamorphic environment. The exploration process involved drilling using HQ-3 coring techniques from surface and also from an adjacent underground mine. The latter were two 460 m boreholes drilled just sub horizontally across the planned cavern location.
The core from these holes was logged for structure and sampled for rock property testing. Because a significant portion of the rock was highly anisotropic the test methods used had to be adapted. This included alternative ways of working with point load testing, triaxial testing for anisotropy of moduli and some special shear tests. Because of the importance of determining potential leakage of groundwater into the cavern, or of air out of the cavern, the correct measurement of the ground fluid pressure and the permeability of the rock mass were extremely important.
Testing had to be conducted in stages to cover the entire length of the holes. The method used was to fit the drill rods with a straddle packer assembly, downhole valve system and suitable precision pressure monitoring with operator read out. First the test zone was shut in to recover pressure. This was followed by a period of injection or production which was followed by another shut in period. These tests followed oilfield practice but with tools designed to work with HRQ drill rod and used horizontally.
The rock stress was determined by the use of three dimensional overcore tools used up to 441 m laterally. Other techniques could have also been advantageously used to fill in the sparse overcore data in the extremely complex geological environment. The vertical and the horizontal holes were logged using both acoustic televiewer and full wave sonic sondes.
The conclusions of the study were that the rock mass was heterogeneous but fit for purpose provided that the correct design decisions were made. The presentation also looks at what can be achieved from open hole drilling test techniques compared to coring and the comparative costs of these. This has particular relevance to tunnel investigations.
Program timeline
Online
6.00pm – Presentation commences
7.00pm – Presentation concludes
In-Person
5.30pm – Registration, networking & catering
6.00pm – Presentation commences, networking
7.00pm – Event concludes
Learning outcomes

You should gain an appreciation of the importance of geology.
You will gain an understanding of the methods used to determine the states of stress in rock and the measurement of anisotropic rock properties.
The methods used and the importance of determining fluid pressures and permeability properly are extremely important and should totally replace conventional packer testing.

About the speaker

Ian Gray
Managing Director, Sigra Pty Ltd

Dr Ian Gray is the managing director of Sigra Pty Ltd, a role he has held for 32 years. In his career he has had the roles of mining, civil, geotechnical and reservoir engineers, engineering geologist and hydrogeologist. He has worked in 20 countries dealing with mines, tunnels, slopes, petroleum reservoirs and anything else in the ground. One of his passions is actually measuring things in the ground properly. To do this he has developed a suite of equipment and techniques. He also works with a variety of drilling systems.
