In the world of utilities, pipe and cable installations are a regular, routine process, and on such projects getting the job done quickly and effectively is the primary objective. For this reason, it’s important for utilities to take advantage of technological innovations and seize any opportunity that will facilitate the streamlining of these processes. Cable and pipe installations often employ […]
Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) is a fantastic method for pipeline installation: it’s trenchless and non-invasive, with minimal impacts on the surrounding environment and community. One common question is, how accurate can a typical HDD pipeline installation be? In this article, we take a look at the levels of accuracy in HDD and what factors can impact upon HDD accuracy. What […]
Trenchless technology has always been about innovation and reliability, developing machines that can adapt to the challenges of different sites while minimising disruptions to the surrounding environment. For Vermeer Australia, this culture of innovation and flexibility applies beyond the equipment itself, and extends to support services provided to trenchless contractors to ensure they can access the highest-quality equipment on the […]
In the world of trenchless technology, accuracy is paramount. However, data concerning underground utilities and assets is notoriously unreliable, posing a critical challenge for trenchless practitioners. With operations hidden beneath the surface, any miscalculation can have severe consequences – underscoring the need for precise information. Underground utility networks can be likened to an intricate tapestry – growing and evolving as […]
As Melbourne’s population continues to grow, maintaining and upgrading essential infrastructure is a must. More than 5 million people already live in the city, which means sewerage systems need to be able to handle a staggering amount of waste. The Hobsons Bay Main Sewer is responsible for 30 per cent of Melbourne’s wastewater, by transporting it to the Western Treatment […]
Spiral wound lining is a sustainable method of pipe maintenance, allowing water authorities and councils to renew their critical infrastructure. The technology and techniques for this cost-effective solution are constantly evolving to allow the maintenance of pipes that would otherwise be unrepairable. Spiral wound lining is a trenchless technology that uses a continuous plastic strip to form liners in gravity […]
In a world where sustainability and environmental protection is key, more and more contractors are turning to equipment that minimises the risk of damaging utilities during the excavation process and most of all, reduces surface disruption in areas with improved landscapes. Vermeer’s range of versatile vacuum excavators work to ensure that environmental disruption, area downtime and damage to utilities as […]
Gone are the days where project selection criteria was based solely on the benefits to corporate and business leaders. Nowadays, it’s no longer enough to focus on these benefits alone, and more and more contractors are on the hunt for equipment options that look at the bigger picture and offer triple bottom line benefits. What is the triple bottom line? […]
By Ash Hamer, Major Projects Manager, Yarra Valley Water, and Australasian Society for Trenchless Technology’s Young Person of the Year 2022 The trenchless industry is an essential part of delivering infrastructure for Yarra Valley Water customers. Its assets (mainly sewer mains) have been getting larger and more complex over the past decade due to population growth. Here, Yarra Valley Water’s […]
OptionX Group has entered into an agreement with MTS Microtunnelling Systems to expand its drilling tunnelling and boring industry capabilities. Through this agreement, OptionX Group will become the exclusive seller of MTS equipment across Australia and New Zealand. OptionX Group will offer MTS machinery, after-sales support, and stock critical parts for urgent repairs. Bournedrill, one of the businesses within OptionX […]
Vacuum excavators are the often unsung hero of the trenchless technology world, quickly and effectively moving soil when needed so that horizontal directional drilling can take place. But now, local governments across Australia and New Zealand are discovering a multitude of uses for vacuum excavators. For the uninitiated, vacuum excavation, also known as non-destructive digging or hydro excavation, is a […]
Kilometres of aging water and pressure sewer pipelines across Australia and New Zealand are in need of renewal. Until recently, some of the more challenging pipelines have left asset owners in need of a practical, affordable, long-term solution. Primus Line, a flexible liner reinforced with aramid fabric, is getting buzz for all the right reasons. The tried and tested lining […]
By Stuart Harrison, Managing Director, Edge Underground As new technologies and innovations emerge in the microtunnelling industry, contractors’ capabilities to meet some of the industry’s toughest challenges continue to grow. For example, very hard rock used to result in most contractors turning down projects or stopping a job part way through when they unexpectedly hit these conditions. This is because […]
Vermeer Australia’s newest addition to its horizontal directional drill line up – the D100x140S3 – is both versatile and powerful, designed as the perfect addition for utility contractors working in trenchless or pipeline projects. Nigel Dobier, Pipeline Sales Manager for Vermeer Australia, said the serviceability, durability, versatility, and strength of the drill is what makes it stand out from the […]
There is increasing awareness across the utility industry that horizontal directional drilling (HDD) can provide an effective whole-of-life solution for the installation of pipelines. In this article, Maxibor CEO and Owner, Rodney O’Meley, provides insights into maxi-rig spreads and highlights the benefits of utilities and other infrastructure asset owners using HDD maxi-rigs on major projects. Maxi-rigs are defined as those […]
by Christopher Allan, Journalist, Utility Magazine Sewer rehabilitation – the repair or renewal of an existing sewerage asset – has both short and long-term advantages for sound management of Australia’s wastewater networks. As asset operators continue to leverage the many benefits of sewer rehabilitation, here we consider some of the different projects occurring around the country, revealing how each project […]
Pipe selection can make or break a project so to speak; the wrong pipe can make a project more difficult to complete, increase time and costs, or at worst, fail, while the right pipe will help reduce risk, enhance accuracy, reduce cost and improve the overall success of installation. But with a number of pipe materials available, how do you […]
When it comes to microtunnelling, there are a number of challenges that can derail a project, costing time and money. That’s why choosing a contractor with versatile equipment is important, as it increases the likelihood that your project will successfully be completed on time and on budget. One of the key benefits to selecting a microtunnelling contractor with versatile equipment […]
Maxibor is an independent, Australian-owned Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) design and construct company with operational bases in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Maxibor provides its HDD services across the water and sewer, rail, power, gas, telecommunications, mining defence, fuel, sea cable, data centre and renewable sectors. It has one of the largest HDD fleets in Australia, including maxi-rigs, midi-rigs, […]
The Wara Paring (Come Walk the Path Together) Indigenous Civil Construction Project is a first-of-its-kind, 100 per cent Indigenous-owned contract services and training initiative working in the Melbourne water industry. Its aim is to build on the successful partnerships that have led to the creation of a small non-destructive digging company and continue to expand to create safe and sustainable […]
By Global microtunnelling pioneer and Managing Director of Edge Underground, Stuart Harrison. Pipeline installations have the potential to cause significant damage to existing infrastructure and utilities because the very act of excavation creates the risk of the ground moving in the vicinity of the installation taking place. Minimising the impact on existing infrastructure This is a problem particularly associated with […]
The Australian Government has pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 26 to 28 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030. Among other things, it is relying on low-emission technologies. Primus Line®, the technology for trenchless rehabilitation of pressure pipelines, can make a decisive contribution here. Australia’s emissions reduction target is large, because the population and economy are growing rapidly. […]
It goes without saying that safety is a key concern on any construction site, and lots of work goes into mitigating safety risks and ensuring workers get back home safely at the end of the day. However, not all construction methods are equal in terms of safety, with some methods and machines designed to be inherently safer than others, and […]
When selecting a microtunnelling contractor, mobility is perhaps not one of the criteria that is top of mind; cost, timeframe for project delivery and safety are higher considerations, and rightly so. However, mobility can also impact these factors, increasing efficiency, productivity and ensuring the installation is completed to a high standard, so it is worth keeping it in mind when […]
Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) is a complex process, which places equally diverse demands on machine technology. Intensive analysis of its customers’ requirements caused TRACTO to question every detail and rethink every component when it came to developing a new series of advanced trenchless technology. The result is the next-generation GRUNDODRILL, an intuitive operating concept that allows for utmost flexibility and […]
Yarra Valley Water’s Doreen to Diamond Creek Sewerage Project involves constructing a new 10km-long section of sewer pipe, and 17 new sewer maintenance holes, within parkland and road reserves in the Doreen, Yarrambat and Diamond Creek areas. The new sewerage infrastructure will ensure the reliability of the sewerage system, cater for growth in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, and reduce the likelihood […]
Fostering a good working relationship with clients and suppliers is important for any business, with a number of benefits for everyone involved. But for us in the trenchless industry, fostering good working relationships can also help reduce the risk of time delays, cost overruns and quality defects. As a trenchless subcontractor, one of the key benefits we have found with […]
In January 2020, Coliban Water completed its $5 million Heathcote Sewer Scheme Project, enabling property owners to connect to the expanded sewer network. This project will help eliminate the use of on-site septic tanks, improving public health and protecting the environment. Manager Infrastructure, Corey Bourne, said the project ensures more of the Heathcote community has access to a safer and […]
Every kind of diversity – be it gender, race, socio economic status or age – is critical to a business and our industry’s long-term sustainability, according to Julie Whitcombe, CEO of RDO Australia Group. RDO Australia Group is one of the world’s largest Vermeer and John Deere equipment dealers and encompasses Vermeer Australia, agri-machinery dealer group Vanderfield and RDO Equipment. […]
With more than half of the world’s population living in cities today, the 21st century is the century of urbanisation. In Europe alone, even more than 70 per cent of its residents live in urban areas. Considering these figures, it is quite obvious that maintenance and development of the complex urban underground supply network is quite challenging in respect of […]
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