AGS Queensland Symposium 2025

From Setbacks to Success: Geotechnical Lessons Learned

The Australian Geomechanics Society (AGS) Queensland Chapter is holding its Annual Symposium 2025 titled “From Setbacks to Success: Geotechnical Lessons Learned” on Tuesday 25 November 2025. The symposium, a full-day event, will feature a morning break, lunch, an afternoon break, and networking drinks. It will commence with updates on the Chapter’s activities and the presentation of the 2025 report, as well as the chapter’s plan for 2026, followed by a series of technical presentations.

The symposium forms part of the continuing program of events organised by the AGS Queensland Chapter. It seeks to foster ideas and discussions concerning one of the fundamental aspects of design, construction, and research that are increasingly gaining traction in both industry and academia.

The Event

This one-day Symposium offers a vital exploration into the real-world complexities of Geotechnical Engineering. We’ll delve into significant project challenges, dissecting what went wrong and, more importantly, how those “setbacks” were transformed into remarkable successes. Through compelling case studies and expert presentations, attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of how past geotechnical setbacks have led to significant advancements and successful outcomes, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the field.

Join us to cultivate a proactive approach to geotechnical challenges, turning potential pitfalls into pathways for innovation and improved project delivery. This is a unique opportunity to learn from the collective experience of the industry, equipping yourself with the knowledge and insights necessary to navigate future complexities with greater confidence and achieve consistently successful outcomes in your own geotechnical endeavours.

Symposium Speakers

John Wagstaff Director, Wagstaff Piling

Whispers from the Earth: Six Decades Navigating the Complexities of Soil and Rock

Harry Poulos Senior Consultant, Tetra Tech Coffey

Building failures caused by adjacent construction activities

Evelyn Storey Director (Eminence & Sustainability), Aurecon

When soil-structure interaction goes wrong – lessons learned from a Structural Engineer

Jun Sugawara Director (Geotechnical), Department of Transport and Main Roads

Results of 2025 TMR Geotechnical Working Group and the way forward

Allan McConnell Founder, Insitu Geotech Services

Geo-calamities – three short stories of projects gone badly wrong

Emeritus Professor David Williams Emeritus Professor, The University of Queensland

Lessons from ongoing tailings dam failures

Ian Shipway & Sally Roberts-Kelly Senior Principal & Associate, EDG Consulting

The perils of the GIR

Amir Shahkolahi National Technical Manager, Global Synthetics

Lessons learnt from failure of MSE retaining walls

Dr Sujatha Manoj Technical Director & Geotechnical Services Leader, Beca

Ground risk due to underground anomalies – A case study of failure and remediation of a water tank

Sponsorship Opportunities

A range of sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, please contact Arsh Kaur via [email protected]

Organising Committee

• Dr Arsh Kaur, Aurecon (Symposium Chair)
• Vincent Blanchet, WSP (Chapter Chair)
• Dr Bindumadhava Aery, Aurecon
• Amir Shahkolahi, Global Synthetics
• Natalie Murphy, WSP
• Dr Chris Bridges, SLR Consulting
• Jared Priddle, FSG
• Andy Law, SMEC
• Jaime Wilson-Moya, FSG

Registration

Members are required to log in to access the AGS member price, which is not transferable.

More information about logging in to this website can be found here.

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Upon purchase, an email and a tax invoice will be sent to the buyer. Attendees will also receive an email with their tickets attached, as well as a link to download the tickets if they are misplaced.

Information about discounts and refunds can be found here.

Engineers Australia members participating in AGS technical sessions can record attendance on their personal CPD logs. Members should refer to Engineers Australia CPD policy for details on CPD types, requirements and auditing guidelines.