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The past few months have been strong ones for IECA Australasia, with great momentum both internationally and here at home. I was proud to represent our chapter at the IECA International Annual Conference in Fort Worth, alongside colleagues from across the global IECA community. Our Australasia delegation was our largest yet, with 22 members attending, including our Young Professional scholarship recipients. The innovation, research, and practical solutions shared at the conference reinforced that our chapter continues to sit in a very strong position when it comes to best practice, education, and leadership in erosion and sediment control (ESC). My thanks again to Jerry Sanders, IECA President, and Samantha A. Roe, IOM, IECA CEO, for their ongoing leadership and support of our global community.
Back home, I'm extremely proud to be involved in practical, field‑based learning at our demonstration sites. The completion of the Hawkesbury ESC training facility in 2025, developed with Turf NSW and supported by research collaboration with UNSW, has given the region a purpose‑built site focused on real‑world applications. The last two successful field days at Hawkesbury have helped participants better connect design intent with what actually works on site. In Queensland, the Redlands ESC Demonstration Site again hosted a highly successful (and sold out) field day in March 2026, with live test plots, drainage controls, rainfall simulator, innovative koala fence and sustainable ESC and stockpile management demonstrations.
The relevance of our industry has been clearly highlighted by significant rainfall, flooding, and cyclone impacts across the nation this last season. These events are a timely reminder of just how critical in areas that we work, good ESC design, installation, and maintenance are in protecting communities, infrastructure, and waterways during extreme weather. They reinforce why consistent, best‑practice ESC is not optional or region specific—and why the training, field days, and knowledge‑sharing delivered through our IECA community are more important than ever.
Looking ahead, we’re focused on keeping this momentum going. Planning is underway to expand training and demonstration opportunities into Victoria, ACT, and New Zealand, and we’re ramping up for the IECA Australasia Conference in Sydney. Just as importantly, I encourage members to get involved beyond attending events—our sub‑committees play a vital role in shaping training, conferences, technical guidance, and industry engagement. If you’re passionate about education, best practice, young professionals, or industry collaboration, I strongly encourage you to put your hand up and join a sub‑committee. Your involvement is what keeps our chapter strong, relevant, and moving forward.
Kind regards
Dallas Frazier
President
IECA Australasia
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