This month we review happenings, review the 2014 and 2015 objectives, partnerships with other associations, development and training opportunities.

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News from the Centre of Stabilisation expertise in Australia

A monthly newsletter informing you of initiatives and happenings in the stabilisation industry in Australia

Dear <<First Name>>

In December 2014, AustStab:

Attended Austroads meetings in Melbourne and Wellington;
Approved the reaccreditation audit for Downer under AustStab ARRB Accreditation;
Attended AAPA's National Workshop Series, Safety at Roadworks and
We continued to deliver on the pillars of the association.

Some upcoming events:

21 January 2015 - AustStab Austroads Victorian Trial Meeting (Teleconference)
24 - 25 February 2015 - Austroads Pavement Meeting
3/4 March 2015 - Rockhampton AustStab CPEE Training Course
10 -11 March 2015 - Wagga Wagga AustStab CPEE Training Course
16 March 2015 - AustStab Standards and Council Meeting

As we enter the holiday Season I wish everyone a restful Christmas New Year Break.

Each year there are many hours contributed by members. They attend Council meetings and Working Group meetings, deliver content at training session with CPEE and Australian Universities, attend industry events such as Civinex, the Civil Construction Alliance or lunches and forums and help in many other ways. Without these valuable contributions, which often require individuals to go over and above their normal business commitments, AustStab would not be the strong growing association that it is. Thank you Members who have volunteered as part of the association this year. I have dropped a personal thank you note in the mail to you and your families.

Merry Christmas

Leah Fisher

CEO AustStab

2014 - 2015 AustStab Initiatives

The progress report for the 2014 - 2015 initiatives is:

The Guide is now in the final stages of review before being sent to the printer;
The Local Government Free Membership Offer was released to the Members this month for promotion. We have had interest from NSW and Qld Council's into these membership offers;
Research project teams have been assembled in NSW and Victoria; and
AustStab and ARRB are progressing the AustStab ARRB logo for the contractor accreditation scheme. Details will be available early in the New Year to members.

AAPA Safety at Worksites Workshops

In November, a number of AustStab Members participated in the AAPA Safety at Worksites workshops throughout Australia. Shawn Birch, TMR, attended the Hobart session as a winner of the AustStab competition.

Shawn felt that the series was valuable and generated some thought provoking perspectives.He particularly noted the presentation from Jim Appleby, Downer. The initiative won Downer the 2012 AustStab Awards of Excellence for Work Health and Safety - on Near Miss Reporting.

AAPA have also kindly agreed to incorporated a minor review of foamed bitumen safe handling in their courses.

Importance of Accredited Contractors

At AustStab we accredit contractors with centrally mounted mixers with moisture control and computer controlled spreaders.

We feel that history has shown, that when used in conjunction with Austroads and AustStab Standards, that the risk of poor outcomes is minimised.

It is always disheartening to hear when a job is completed without these controls in place and fails - that people only remember that the process was stabilising - not that the proper systems and controls were not implemented. We were recently alerted to one of these jobs.

It is important that as a consumer the supervisor overseeing the work is aware of the quality controls that should be in place to ensure a good long term outcome, particularly if the contractor isn't accredited.

An extensive list of accredited contractors is available throughout Australia. Click here for more information.

An extensive list of AustStab binder members is available by clicking here.

2015 - Training Dates
The dates for the 2015 AustStab CPEE have been finalised. They are as follows:

3/4 March - Rockhampton NEW DATE
11/12 March - Wagga Wagga
20/21 May - Horsham
10/11 June - Toowoomba
24/25 June - Cloncurry
8 July - Launceston
12/13 August - Perth
22/23 September - Darwin

Please save the dates. If you would like to provide any leads for people who you feel should attend the training please let Leah or Ray Farrelly know by clicking here.

More information about course can be found by clicking here.

At the AustStab CPEE training course, we often receive feedback from course participants that they would be interested in receiving further training on stabilisation.

Dr John Yeaman is offering Master of Engineering Degree (Pavements) at USC with enrolments closing 31 January 2014, which includes stabilisation.

CPEE also offer a distance education course in stabilisation, which can be completed as a stand alone unit or as part of a formal qualification.

For more information cl ick here to email Leah.