This month we review happenings, speak of the 2014 AustStab conference, provide an update on the accreditation scheme, provide an overview of the TMR conference, provide the 2015 course dates and ask you for MORE feedback!

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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>>

Welcome to AustStab's 28th newsletter. In October 2014:

We confirmed the initiatives that would be supported by AustStab in 2014 - 2015;
We participated in the IPWEA Queensland Annual Conference;
Conducted the first meeting of the reformed Western Australian Working Group;
Conducted the AUGLP at Swinburne University;
Rescheduled the Rockhampton Training Course;
Approved the first round of reaccreditation audits under AustStab ARRB Accreditation;
Began planning for a new research project on lime stabilisation of Black Soils;
We continued to deliver on the pillars of the association.

Some upcoming events:

28 - 29 October 2014 - Newcastle AustStab CPEE Training
4-5 November 2014 - Brisbane AustStab CPEE Training
17-24 November 2014 - National Workshop Series - Safety at Worksites delivered by AAPA with AustStab support.
Release of the 2015 Training Calendar

I remind delegates from the AustStab AGM and Conference that the survey from this years event is still open, and we need your feedback to include in the Strategic Plan for 2015 and beyond.

As the end of year rushes towards us, I would like to remind everyone to be mindful about the important matters in stabilising - things such as keeping our people safe and appropriate testing and planning in advance of Works being completed. As I have rushed from Western Australia to Sydney to Caloundra this month, I have been reminded how easy it is to take our eyes of the ball and let important things fall by the wayside when time is of a challenge and the pressure is on.

Leah Fisher
CEO

AustStab AGM and Conference 2014

Click here to access the survey.

This is a really important way for members to influence the Strategic Plan for 2015 and beyond. To be eligible for the survey, one should have attended this year's conference. It will take no more than 5 minutes, so please take the time to complete the survey.

We currently have 4 responses. Ideally we need a minimum of 35% to have any meaningful survey data.

As Greg would say, You must all think that we are doing a great job and that we don't need to change a thing.

2014 - 2015 AustStab Initiatives

This month Council met and approved a number of initiatives that were workshopped by members at the conference. These included:

Release of a new edition of the AustStab Guide;
A review of the Strategic Plan in advance of the next conference;
A member only offer to introduce Local Government members to AustStab;
Request for members to promote (FREE subscription) to the eStab newsletter to meet our target of 2500 subscribers by 2015;
Trial pay for content on a limited number of publications, whilst still offering free content to Australian companies and government agencies;
Increased engagement with Consultants;
Encourage harmonisation of Specifications;and
Encourage appropriate research projects, initiated by Working Groups.

AAPA Safety Training
A draw will be held for one free seat to the AAPA Safety at Worksites forum in Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart, . To go in the draw to win a free ticket (Valued $286) please click here. To register for the AustStab endorsed Workshop series click here.

Discussion with International Expert in Lime

Thank you Howard Jeffery_Wright for your very positive feedback from the presentations and insightful observations of the presentation by Professor Dallas Little:

The permanent reaction of lime with pozzolands in clay has no relationship to UCS
If the soil mixture of lime and soil has a pH of 12.4 then the flocculation is complete and there is excess lime in the solution. This enables the pozzolanic reaction to occur resulting in the formation of cement constituents (CSH and CAH). From this point the strength will grow over time, should you had further lime you might - or might not - get a stronger materials and it does not affect its permanent change
The adding of lime to lime usually improves the CBR on the majority of clays and is the normal test and outcome used in the USA
Whilst the addition of lime increases the permeability of clay, the ion exchange that occurs immediately changes the clay for a water attracting chemical to a neutral material. The result being that the water is no longer drawn into the pavement
Clay, with the addition of lime, is change to a granular type material and is far easier to compact.

If you would like additional information about these topics, please email Leah or Greg for more information.

The overheads from Professor Little's presentation are available on AustStab's website.

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

24/25 February - Rockhampton
10/11 March - Wagga Wagga
19/20 May - Horsham
9/10 June - Toowoomba
23/24 June - Cloncurry
7 July - Launceston
11/12 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.

Western Australian Working Group

The Western Australian Working Group met in Perth in September 2014.

The initial meeting of the Working Group included the pillar items relating to research, setting standards, promotion and educating and training people in the industry.

There are a number of initiatives that the group will be following up in 2014 and 2015. The group also welcomes new members, who were not involved in the initial meeting. Please contact the Working Group chairman, Paul Bussell, if you would like to be included in future meetings.

eStab Feedback

We have received feedback regarding the three column format for the eStab newsletter, requesting that the format be changed to a single column, instead of three column format. Could you please contact AustStab if this is a problem for you, and we will look to changing the format?