More water utilities, more floor space

As more water utilities get involved in No Dig Down Under, there’s still time to showcase your solutions to the industry’s key decision makers.

As urban populations rise and the demand for sustainable infrastructure intensifies, trenchless technology is changing how water utilities manage resources and deliver essential services. Yarra Valley Water, Barwon Water and Greater Western Water are leading the charge by joining as industry partners for No-Dig Down Under 2025.

Their collective support of the event underscores the utilities’ commitment to reducing the environmental impacts of construction and maintenance while delivering resilient infrastructure for communities.

With trenchless solutions at the forefront of their operations, these water corporations are embracing a future where innovation and sustainability go hand in hand. No-Dig Down Under provides the ideal platform for them to stay ahead of the curve – engaging with cutting-edge technologies, exchanging insights, and exploring best practices in environmentally sustainable construction methods.

As the southern hemisphere’s largest conference dedicated to trenchless technology – and the second-largest globally – No-Dig Down Under is a must-attend event for professionals dedicated to revolutionising the infrastructure landscape.

Digging into innovation at Barwon Water

Barwon Water is a corporation known for its innovative culture and commitment to sustainability. Emphasising creativity and continuous improvement, Seamus Butcher, Barwon Water’s General Manager of Planning, Delivery and Environment, said the utility is excited to connect with like-minded professionals and learn from the diverse perspectives of industry leaders.

“We’re keen to engage with other water corporations to exchange insights and to learn more about the no-dig industry,” he said.

Barwon Water is already adopting trenchless techniques such as sewer relining and horizontal directional drilling (HDD) in important projects. It is investing $10 million annually to restore 25 kilometres of ageing infrastructure.

Butcher points to projects such as the Colac pipeline, which incorporates HDD to protect local wildlife and waterways while minimising environmental disruption.

Other projects, like the Colac to Birregurra Pipeline, have also embraced trenchless methods. By using these solutions, these projects minimise habitat destruction and lower carbon emissions, fostering a healthier environment.

“Leveraging technology and data is helping to improve the performance of our assets and progress our longer-term aim of moving towards zero sewer spills. A collaborative approach is central to our success,” said Butcher.

“We encourage contractors to propose new ideas and innovative methods, fostering industry-leading improvements that enhance safety, quality and environmental stewardship and minimise customer impact.”

Heading west for trenchless tech

Greater Western Water (GWW) is also on board as a key partner for No-Dig Down Under 2025. Ian Burton, General Manager of Growth and Infrastructure, notes that the event aligns with GWW’s dedication to sustainable, customer-centric construction solutions.

“Trenchless technologies provide an innovative way to install and repair our essential water and sewerage infrastructure without extensive surface excavation. The water industry faces shared challenges, and the conference will be a great opportunity to share key learnings and successes around water and sewerage infrastructure projects,” said Burton.

“GWW is committed to delivering safe, efficient, and environmentally conscious solutions, and we look forward to sharing our knowledge and learning from others to support our customers and broader community better now and in the future.”

GWW has long relied on trenchless technology in its infrastructure projects, especially in environmentally sensitive locations. Burton highlights how these methods have reduced noise, dust, and traffic impacts, making them ideal for high-density urban areas.

Trenchless solutions that minimise disruption have been beneficial for recent projects, such as the Elizabeth Street Sewer upgrade and the Werribee Open Range Zoo Recycled Water Main.

“We are focused on adopting innovative, less invasive construction methods and sharing knowledge across the water sector and with our construction partners through conferences and ongoing training and development of our people,” said Burton.

GWW’s ongoing commitment to technological advancements is key to its 2030 Strategy, which focuses on delivering long-term value for customers and supporting communities’ success. Burton is looking forward to learning from other industry leaders to help achieve these ambitious goals.

“Knowledge-sharing with our industry peers and partners can lead to more efficient, cost-effective solutions for future projects and directly benefit our customers and community. We also see this as a valuable opportunity to explore new potential partnerships and collaborations,” he said.

“Supporting our employees’ growth and development is a high priority and we see the workshops and training sessions on offer as a great opportunity for our people to refine their skills, learn about regulatory changes, and improve safety practices.”

As these water corporations come together to support No-Dig Down Under 2025, their shared commitment to sustainability and innovation will help shape the future of trenchless technology in Australia.

Expanding the show floor

In previous years, No-Dig Down Under has taken up an enormous part of every convention and exhibition centre it has been staged in. Thousands of square metres of technological advancements fill the conference floor, and people flock to different exhibits.

With that in mind, and with the significant interest shown by the industry, No-Dig Down Under is expanding into more space for 2025. Only a few more spots are available for potential exhibitors to showcase their wares.

It is the second and final expansion of the show floor, following previous expansions selling out quickly. Those new stands are selling out fast, and the continual expansion of the show floors shows just how valued this event is for the trenchless technology industry.

This broader scope ensures attendees can explore a wide range of solutions to tackle industry challenges, from regulatory compliance to climate resilience.

“The amount of interest from the water and wastewater industries has been incredible,” Show Director Lauren Chartres said. “It’s why we have had to expand into more convention halls, just to ensure that everyone that wants to display their technology has the opportunity to do so.”

To get involved, visit nodigdownunder.com