Join us for this exciting and informative National ATS Event!

Summary

Australia’s increasing infrastructure development demands a comprehensive grasp of its intricate underground landscape. This understanding is pivotal as space competition heightens for future expansion. Despite substantial annual investments in ground investigations, often involving intrusive testing, geotechnical data is primarily stored in outdated formats, resulting in data loss or duplication. While some preservation efforts exist, public access to the information remains limited.

This Churchill Fellowship-based study underscores the feasibility of a more sustainable approach. Successful models from the UK, Netherlands, Switzerland, Denmark, and New Zealand showcase effective central repositories for geological data. The lack of a comparable requirement in Australia hinders efficient data utilisation, leading to extended project timelines and increased costs for both the government and taxpayers.  The study offers valuable guidance for Australian government bodies to establish centralised geological and geotechnical databases. The accessibility and cost-efficiency of these systems can stimulate cooperation across sectors, contributing to the sustainable development of future cities.

This event is generously sponsored by: WSP Australia

Timings

In person – 5.30 for a 6pm start –WSP Australia, Level 27 680 George St, Sydney NSW 2000

Webinar – 5.45 for a 6pm start – The hybrid meeting link is via Zoom: https://wsp.zoom.us/j/83396276103

PLEASE NOTE: There is no requirement to register in advance so make sure you make a note in your diary now! If you are joining online, please click on the above link and remember to give yourself plenty of time to sign in via zoom or the zoom app. If you are joining in person, please enter the building and go straight up to Level 27.

Presenter bio

Dr David Och

David has a PhD in geology on the study of a complex structural, tectonic and metamorphic terrane at Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia. He is the Technical Director – Geology (Tunnels) for WSP in Australia and leads the NSW Tunnels Group. His expertise in tunnelling and engineering geology has led to key lead and advisory roles on major transportation projects. David’s recent roles have included Geotechnical Lead for Sydney Metro City & Southwest and Sydney Metro West Projects, and Geological Lead on the Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link project.

David, a Churchill Fellow, has just completed a study on geotechnical databases at geological surveys including the BGS, TNO (Netherlands), Swisstopo and GEUS (Denmark). This work was published as a report through Winston Churchill Trust and a recent paper in Springer. David is also an Associate Professor at the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences at UNSW Sydney. He supervises students in Honours degrees at Sydney University and Adelaide University, and lectures in Landscape design at University of Technology Sydney (UTS).

Geologist David Och shows rock core samples to North West Rail Link project director Rod Staples, NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance and NSW Premier  Mike Baird.