Chapter Newsletters

IECA Australasia Chapter Newsletter - Issue #2 - 2025

  
Australasia Newsletter headerIssue #2 2025

IECA AUSTRALASIA PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

It’s been another fantastic period for the Australasian IECA team. Inside this newsletter, you’ll find the latest updates on our new website transition, details about the upcoming 2025 Conference, and important Committee announcements.

I’d like to extend a special vote of thanks to the teams involved in reviewing and finalising updates to the BPESC document. This vital work will be unveiled once our full amalgamation with IECA HQ is complete, including the website migration.

With our awards currently being submitted, I’m looking forward to seeing how far our industry has once again pushed forward in improving standards and achieving outstanding outcomes. Make sure to keep an eye out for finalist submissions and the announcement of winners following our upcoming conference.

I would also like to draw everyone’s attention to the recent unveiling and upgrades to demonstration and training sites across NSW and Queensland. In addition to the purpose-built RESET site with Sunshine Coast Council, the rebirth of the Redland site has been extremely successful, with ongoing modifications and upgrades taking place. This site now serves as a revitalised training facility, offering ongoing opportunities for product development, research, and innovation. Additionally, the launch of the new site in partnership with Turf NSW in the Hawkesbury was a huge success, with research and development partners from UNSW and Turf NSW contributing through discussions and demonstrations of ESC practices. These sites offer a fantastic opportunity for project start-up education, helping to set the standard and increase base knowledge for diggers and doers before project commencement. If you’re interested in undertaking IECA-endorsed training or attending any events at these locations, please don’t hesitate to contact our events team.

Thank you all for your ongoing dedication and commitment to our industry’s continual improvement.

Look forward to seeing you all at our Annual conference in Melbourne, its sure to be a great one.

Regards
Dallas Frazier
President
IECA Australasia


 

AUSTRALASIA CONFERENCE 2025 – “STABILISING TODAY, SUSTAINING TOMORROW”

REGISTER TODAY

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Professor Ian Rutherfurd
University of Melbourne,
Alluvium Consulting

 

Heidi Tait
CEO and Founder
Tangaroa Blue Foundation


Ian is a fluvial geomorphologist with 30 years working with governments and communities in stream and catchment management. His research spans basic and applied river processes, and he has completed over 150 publications, $7m in funded research projects, and 70 consulting projects. Ian also has rich experience in education and professional training of all types. 

After spending twenty years at the University of Melbourne (of which several years were spent seconded to the Victorian State government working in river policy) Ian joined Alluvium in a part-time capacity. In addition to his involvement in many consulting projects, he chairs the Alluvium Foundation and helps coordinate the Research and Insights Program. He brings deep experience in the application of research to all aspects of river and water management, as well as excellent connections across the water sector. 

 

Heidi Tait is the Founder and CEO of Tangaroa Blue Foundation, a national not-for-profit dedicated to tackling marine debris—one of the planet’s most urgent environmental issues. Since establishing the organisation in 2004, she has led the creation and growth of the Australian Marine Debris Initiative (AMDI), a collaborative network of volunteers, communities, and partners working to remove and track debris from Australia’s coastlines.

Under Heidi’s leadership, AMDI has mobilised over 250,000 volunteers and 3,500 partner organisations to remove more than 29 million pieces of debris, using this data to drive over 380 targeted Source Reduction Plans. The initiative not only cleans up our shores but addresses the problem at its source through data-driven action, education, and collaboration with industry and government.

In recognition of her impact, Heidi was named one of the top 18 women in ocean conservation by Ocean Geographic in 2018. She continues to lead Tangaroa Blue’s strategic direction and daily operations, ensuring lasting change for Australia’s marine and coastal environments.

UPCOMING EVENTS

NEW ZEALAND ROUND UP

Welcome to the NZ round up, coming at you late 2025. For those new here, this is the place where we can update everyone on the ESC happenings in Aotearoa. For those that have been here before, welcome back! We are slowly creeping out of winter 2025 heading full steam towards the 2025-2026 earthworks season. I personally can’t wait for a bit more warmth and sunny weather and not having to remind my site teams about their monthly winter works applications.

I was recently thrilled to be the first speaker at the annual Environmental Practitioners Forum hosted by Cirtex. There were over 100 like-minded people in the room and it was fantastic to get the opportunity to present on some of the things I’m passionate about, HEB constructions regional projects and specifically a stream works project in Pukekohe that is currently under construction.

Environmental Practitioners Forum held in Auckland July 2025.Environmental Practitioners Forum held in Auckland July 2025.

For those that attended my presentation the image below is an update on said stream works project in early August. It's coming along nicely if I say so myself and starting to look more like the finished product.

Stream works project in Pukekohe.Stream works project in Pukekohe.

Upcoming events for Aotearoa for the latter half of the year are as follows. The Auckland Field Days is back, and the Auckland Council is pulling out all the stops to put on a fantastic few days. There are training opportunities for those who want to upskill and learn on how to install erosion and sediment controls, awesome trade stands displaying best practice options and excellent presentations for those of us looking to keep up with the innovations and goings on from our colleagues around the region. The Auckland Field Days is proudly supported by the IECA (and this year Civil Contractors NZ is also supporting the event) and following on from the Field Days we have an IECA networking event sponsored by Vital Chemical at Franklins Bar and Eatery in Pukekohe, I look forward to seeing everyone there. Finally (we are still in the same week as the Field Days!) there is a field trip to visit O Mahurangi. I can guarantee this will be a great day and you won’t want to miss out.

O Mahurangi permanent bridge structure under construction crossing the Wēiti River.

Previous field trip to O Mahurangi organised by the IECA

Finally, I’m looking forward to the IECA annual conference in Melbourne, and I know a lot of others are as well. Our annual conference always has excellent presentations, trade stands and innovations so I encourage all who can attend to do so. I’m incredibly privileged to be able to personally attend, and I’m excited to be able to rub shoulders and reconnect with all our environmental brothers and sisters on the other side of the ditch. 

VALE LYALL BABINGTON

It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our old mate Lyall Babington who tragically passed away in a boating accident in August 2025. Lyall worked at Waikato Regional Council where he, among many other things, managed forestry operations and many Landcare groups. He was a success. He set new standards and taught many of us the practicalities of managing land activities in a sustainable manner. 

Moving to Auckland in the early 1990s, he became one of the erosion and sediment control crew and set up Babington & Associates and worked alongside the Auckland Regional Council team for many years. This included helping to draft some of the early erosion and sediment control guidelines, many of which are still used in New Zealand, undertaking many research investigations such as a decanting earth bund efficiency trial with rainfall simulation, and writing and auditing hundreds of erosion and sediment control plans. He was more than just an expert in erosion and sediment control, he was a problem solver, a thinker and a constant source of wisdom for those lucky enough to work alongside him. His knowledge in this field was matched only by his enthusiasm and helping others to learn and succeed.

Lyall was a mate and a well-respected work colleague. He enjoyed fishing, riding his Ducati and loving life. Lyall was an adventurer at heart and enjoyed exploring new places, taking on challenges, and embracing the moment. He lived with curiosity and no fear and was a great guy to be around. For the past 10 years or so, Lyall had been on numerous motorcycle adventures and had been travelling the world on his yacht. His mates on these adventures have some very fond memories.

We will remember Lyall not only for his professional excellence but for his kindness, humour and friendship. He will be deeply missed by his family, his friends, and his colleagues. The erosion and sediment control industry has lost a champion.

Rest easy mate - you taught us well. 

Graeme (Blue) Ridley, Matt Byrne, Malcolm Todd and Lachlan Ward

REGISTERED SOIL PRACTITIONER - EROSION & SEDIMENT CONTROL (RSP-ESC)

Congratulations to those who have gained the RSP-ESC accreditation.
Mr Shaun Smith Mr Andrew Macleod
Mr Graeme Ridley Ms Lisel Dingley
Mr Simon Buchanan Mr Andrew Zvirzdinas
Mr Michael Frankcombe Mr Craig Davies
Mrs Janine Koppel Mr Gregor McLean
Mr Fabio Perez Mr Stewart Anderson
Mr Kel Sanson
A list of all current Registered Soil Practitioners can be found at the following link: Find a Registered Soil Practitioner - Soil Science Australia

Following is an update on the RSP-ESC Online Exam.

    • ​​​​​​​The RSP-ESC Online Exam is being developed in partnership with, and will be hosted by, the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA).

    • It is anticipated the exam is offered every three months and registration to sit the exam will be via the SSSA website registration page.

    • The exam will be proctored, contains 100 multiple choice questions, and takes up to 2 hours. It is completed online at a suitable time that you negotiate with SSSA and the proctor.

    • Questions are aligned with the RSP-ESC Standards, set by the RSP-ESC Examinations Committee and are considered to be the minimum professional competencies required by those working in erosion and sediment control in Australia and New Zealand.

    • The cost of sitting the Exam is set on an annual basis and will be paid in $US.

    • Once the exam is available online more information will be added to the website and those who are ready to sit the exam will be notified.

An Innovative, Rapid & Affordable Method for Stabilising Dust Hotspots & Preventing Dust Storms.

Reza Shahandeh1, Mahamed Momenian2
1: Corresponding Author, Independent Researcher, r.shahandeh@gmail.com
2: Exemplary National Rangeland Manager

Abstract: In this research, in an area considered a dust hotspot, the soil was strengthened against dust storms and erosion by using sheep's wool and inserting bundles of wet wool into the ground at intervals of 35 by 50 centimetres. A portion of the adjacent area was also considered as a control. In both sections, several graduated indicators were placed in the ground. Changes in the ground level were measured in both sections during the 12-month study period.

The results showed that about 7.7 mm of soil eroded from the control area. This amount is equivalent to 77 cubic meters of soil per hectare. However, in the wool-treated area, the soil surface reduction was about 1.2 mm. In fact, this treatment prevented about 6.5 mm of soil erosion. This means that by using only 1100 kg of wool per hectare, it was possible to preserve 65 cubic meters of soil in this unit area.

This amount of erosion, considering the apparent bulk density of the soil in the region, which was measured at 1.17 g per cubic centimetre (equivalent to 1.17 tons per cubic meter), is equal to 76 tons per hectare. In fact, the proposed method was able to prevent the erosion of more than 76 tons of soil per hectare with the least destructive environmental effects. {Read More}

ENVIRONMENTAL CONNECTION


Environmental Connection is the official magazine of IECA. The magazine is published every quarter, as an IECA member you can read the whole magazine by visiting the IECA website www.ieca.org. Environmental Connection will also help you gain Professional Development Hours (PDH)

The following articles have been recommended as highlights from the July 2025 (Qtr. 3) issue by the Newsletter Committee.

  • Filter Sock Technology
  • Te Ara o Te Ata: A Legacy Project
  • Green Infrastructure Innovation Captures up to 98% of Sediment in Coastal Erosion
  • Hydroseeding at Maya Train Project – An Environmental Challenge
  • Urban Stream Management: Fire, Arundo Donax and Geomorphic Impacts

Follow the link to view the July 2025 (Qtr. 3) Environmental Connection Magazine: IECA Environmental Connection Quarter 3, 2025

AUSTRALASIA CHAPTER 2025 AWARDS FINALISTS

We are excited to announce the IECA Australasia Environmental Excellence Awards finalists for 2025.  The winners will be announced at the 2025 Australasia Chapter conference awards presentation scheduled for Friday 24th October.  We will also announce the recipient of the Sustained Contributor award and our inaugural "Akubra" bearer will pass the hat on to a person who represents the spirit of IECA.

Environmental Excellence for a project - finalists for 2025 are: 
  • Te Ahu a Turanga – Manawatū Tararua Highway | Te Ahu a Turanga – Manawatū Tararua Highway
  • M1 Pacific Motorway (Varsity Lakes to Tugun) Upgrade Project | Qld TMR
  • The Bushland Beach Channel Naturalisation and Applied Circular Economy Project | Townsville City Council


Environmental Excellence for Education and/or Innovation - finalists for 2025 are:

  • The Resurrection of Redlands Research Facility as an industry education centre in Erosion Sediment Control | DuraVeg PGG Wrightson Turf
  • 20 years delivering ESC capacity building programs in Queensland | Healthy Land & Water

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2025 YOUNG PROFESSIONAL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT - HANNAH GIESS

Hannah Giess, Senior Environmental Advisor and Environmental Manager at HEB Construction, has been selected as the 2025 Young Professional Scholarship award recipient. The scholarship includes coverage for all conference and travel expenses to the IECA Aust 2025 and 2026 Conferences, sponsored by Vital. Hannah will also participate in IECA Aust Board meetings for one year to gain insights into the Association's operations.

BPESC UPDATE RELEASE DATE

IECA are proud to announce the updated Best Practice Erosion & Sediment Control for building and construction sites (BPESC) will be available on our new website which will launch at our conference in October.

Originally published in 2008, the BPESC has been periodically updated to ensure that the document remains current and continues to serve as an essential reference for best practice ESC planning and management within Australia.

The 2025 version captures a range of updates, user feedback, and amendments made since the original publication in 2008.

This version provides an up to date, user friendly resource that reflects current terminology and climate changes.

 Key changes to the 2025 version include:

  • Consolidation into a single document (no longer 3 books)
  • Inclusion of Appendix P within the main document
  • Updated rainfall terminology consistent with the Bureau of Meteorology and Australian Rainfall and Runoff
  • Updated and additional rainfall design values
  • Updated rainfall erosivity (R-factors) values
  • Consistent sediment control standard
  • Additional guidance regarding soil binders, Type B basin dewatering and stockpile management
  • Revised soil loss limit for catchments greater than 10,000m2

CORNERSTONE & EMERALD MEMBERS

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