Keynote Speaker: Andrew Excell, Acting CEO and Deputy Executive Director Transport Planning and Program Development – Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT)
 | Andrew Excell, Acting CEO and Deputy Executive Director Transport Planning and Program Development - Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT)
Andrew Excell has over 30 years experience in the areas of regional road operations, delivery of major infrastructure projects, metropolitan road network management and Portfolio, Program and Project Management. He has held various roles in Senior Management within the Department for Infrastructure and Transport from the Regional Manager Metropolitan Region, Manager of Traffic Operations including the Traffic Management Centre, Director of the Portfolio, Program and Project Management Office, Director, Transport Network and Investment Strategy and currently Deputy Chief Executive/Executive Director, Transport Strategy and Planning Division. In his current role Andrew is accountable for the development of longer-term strategies for the development of the transport system to improve mobility and productivity across South Australia and for developing a pipeline of viable infrastructure projects. |
Topic: Optimisation of the Slag/Lime Suite of Binders for Australian Pavement Stabilisation
Presenters: Scott Young, Technical Manager, Stabilised Pavements of Australia | Allen Browne, Executive General Manager, Technical & Innovation, Hiway | Cameron Bik, General Manager NSW/ACT – Coffey Testing
Short Abstract: The use of various slag/lime blends as a cementitious binder in the road stabilisation industry has been used for multiple decades on the east coast of Australia. Common blend proportions are 85/15, 70/30, 60/40 and 50/50. Selection of the most appropriate slag/lime blend in the mix design phase of a project, for a given material type does not have a well documented process. This research was undertaken to generate a decisive process to enable practitioners to select the most appropriate slag/lime blend to use with a given host material that possesses known characteristics (i.e. plasticity index). This framework will also provide clear direction in the stabilisation mix design process so that optimal outcomes can be achieved more regularly.
 | Scott Young – Technical Manager – Stabilised Pavements of Australia
Scott is the National Technical Manager for Stabilised Pavements of Australia and also holds the position of Principal Engineer (Pavements) for SPA’s pavement engineering consultancy, SP Design. Scott is a Registered Professional Civil Engineer with RPEQ and RPEV accreditation and holds a Master of Pavements. Scott has been in the roads industry for almost 30 years and is a past director and President of Australia’s national association, AustStab. He was granted Honorary membership to AustStab in 2023 for his contributions to the industry. Scott is currently convenor of AustStab’s National Technical Working Group. |
 | Cameron Bik - General Manager NSW/ACT – Coffey Testing
Cameron is the General Manager for Coffey Testing - NSW/ACT. He has been involved in insitu stabilisation pavement design and laboratory trials for the past 18 years working closely with multiple local government organisations to assist them with their pavement rehabilitation programs. |
 | Allen Browne - Executive General Manager – Technical & Innovation – Hiway
As Executive General Manager Technical and Innovation for the Hiway Group, Allen leads the professional services team on both sides of the Tasman, focusing on maximising recycling and developing innovative processes and equipment and navigating differences in materials, design protocols and specifications. Allen is a Fellow of ENZ and registered in NZ and Aus, having worked in Civil Engineering for 39 years and coming from a family of Civil Engineers where both his children, brother and father all share the profession. |
Topic: Optimising Pavement Stabilisation with General Purpose Limestone (GL) Cements: NACOE O36 Trial Program Design and Implementation
Presenters: Lokanantham Logitharan, Senior Project Manager, Department of Transport and Main Roads | Dr. Javad Yaghoubi, Principal – Geotechnical Engineering, National Transport Research Organisation
Short Abstract: The NACOE O36 Trial Program explores the use of General Purpose Limestone (GL) cement blended with fly ash as a low-carbon alternative for pavement stabilisation on Queensland roads. Conducted on a trial section of Bowenville–Norwin Road, the project compared GL and traditional General Purpose (GP) cement blends in light-bound base applications. Preliminary findings show that GL cement offers comparable performance while significantly reducing carbon emissions. With optimised binder content and improved workability, the trial demonstrates strong potential for GL cement as a cost-effective and more sustainable option for future pavement projects. Final results will help determine its suitability for broader implementation.
 | Lokanantham Logitharan, Senior Project Manager - Department of Transport and Main Roads
Logi is a construction professional with over 25 years of experience in the industry across Singapore and Australia. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSc.Eng) and multiple postgraduate qualifications, including a Master of Project Management (MSc.PM), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Master of Business Law (MBL). His expertise lies in integrating sustainability principles and reducing construction waste through lean methodologies. Logi has led large-scale infrastructure projects, driving innovation and efficiency through strong leadership and strategic management. Focused on delivering cost-effective and sustainable outcomes, he consistently provides practical solutions aligned with industry best practices and the evolving needs of modern infrastructure development.
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 | Dr. Javad Yaghoubi, Principal - Geotechnical Engineering, National Transport Research Organisation
Dr. Yaghoubi, BSc, MEngSc, PhD, NER, RPEV, is a Principal Professional at NTRO with over 15 years of combined academic and industry experience in pavement and geotechnical engineering. His research emphasises the valorisation of recycled materials and industrial by-products for sustainable transport infrastructure, contributing to circular economy frameworks. He leads multidisciplinary projects involving performance-based specification development, feasibility studies and field trials, and capacity-building programs for practitioners. Dr. Yaghoubi has delivered technical solutions and strategic guidance to government and private stakeholders, integrating sustainability principles with advanced geotechnical and pavement engineering methodologies. |
Panel Discussion/Debate : Areas hit with extreme inclement weather events, under the road recovery funding, why is pavement recycling and foam stabilisation not automatically the solution
Presenter: Tony Aloisio, CEO, Australian Flexible Pavement Association | Allen Browne, Executive General Manager, Technical & Innovation, Hiway | Thorsten Froebel, Senior Principal Engineer, Downer Transport and Infrastructure
 | Tony Aloisio - Chief Executive Officer - Australian Flexible Pavement Association
An infrastructure industry leader with over 30 years of experience, Tony has held senior roles in the private sector as a General Manager in the Construction Materials and Civil Contracting sectors. From 2012 to 2020 Tony held the dual roles of General Manager Corporate Services and National Safety Manager for Fulton Hogan Australia, leading disciplines of HR, environment and quality, and developing and implementing the national safety strategy. Prior to this Tony was The General Manager of Boral Asphalt in Vic/Tas, with full responsibility for business performance and growth. Tony secured and led the successful delivery of major projects at Eastlink and Peninsula Link, whilst continuing to grow and develop ongoing business operations. |
 | Thorsten Froebel - Senior Principal Engineer - Downer Transport and Infrastructure - New Zealand
Thorsten began working with Foamed Bitumen Stabilisation (FBS) in 1997 with Loudon International in South Africa, followed by five years with Wirtgen in Germany, applying FBS globally. He moved to New Zealand in 2004, introducing the first modern FBS-capable stabiliser and contributing to NZTA’s pavement design and construction standards through national technical groups. Over the past 20 years, he has led the pavement design on numerous Greenfields and Rehabilitation D&C projects. Currently, Thorsten is the Senior Principal Pavements Engineer at Downer New Zealand and has spent the past year as design lead for the T2W accelerated program, which he will present on today. |
| Allen Browne - Executive General Manager – Technical & Innovation – Hiway
As Executive General Manager Technical and Innovation for the Hiway Group, Allen leads the professional services team on both sides of the Tasman, focusing on maximising recycling and developing innovative processes and equipment and navigating differences in materials, design protocols and specifications. Allen is a Fellow of ENZ and registered in NZ and Aus, having worked in Civil Engineering for 39 years and coming from a family of Civil Engineers where both his children, brother and father all share the profession. |
Topic: Impact of dispersive and sodic soils on pavements and possible treatments
Presenter: Blake Henry, Queensland University of Technology | Damian Volker, Director for the Pavements Rehabilitation Section of the Queensland, Department of Transport and Main Roads
Short Abstract: Blake and Damian present findings on the impact of dispersive and sodic soils on pavement performance and the effectiveness of stabilisation treatments using lime and triple blend (lime, cement, fly ash). Dispersive soils, common across approximately 28% of Australia’s mapped landscapes, are highly erosive and pose a serious risk to pavement longevity. This widespread occurrence highlights the critical need for effective stabilisation strategies where infrastructure intersects with dispersive soils. This study assessed stabilisation of dispersive soils with 3%, 5%, and 7% additive contents using UCS, Emerson class and pinhole tests. Microstructural and geochemical analyses using SEM, XRD, and cation exchange revealed critical insights into how soil binding mechanisms evolve with treatment. The findings contribute to advancing best practices in pavement engineering and support the development of resilient, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible road infrastructure. Key learnings are as follows;
- The performance threshold for dispersive soil stabilisation in pavement layers
- How microstructure transformations influence long-term pavement durability
- The economic and environmental case for reusing problematic soils in road construction
 | Blake Henry - Queensland University of Technology
Blake Henry is a civil engineer with a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Business. He has worked across major infrastructure projects, including wind farm developments and public road upgrades, with experience in pavements, drainage, and bulk earthworks. Blake has a strong interest in sustainable civil design, particularly in the stabilisation of problematic soils for pavement applications. His recent research focuses on improving the performance and durability of road subgrades through targeted material treatments, contributing to more resilient and cost-effective infrastructure outcomes. |
 | Damian Volker - Director for the Pavements Rehabilitation Section of the Queensland -Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR)
Damian joined DTMR over 20 years ago as a Cadet Materials Technologist, spending the first half of his career in the TMR laboratories, also performing detailed pavement investigations and as an asphalt Roadworks Inspector. This foundation developed a valuable understanding and knowledge of material properties and failure mechanisms. With a mind for innovation and environmentally sustainable solutions, Damian has provided valuable technical input into all aspects of stabilisation projects, including detailed pavement investigations, design, testing, construction, training, performance research and development of DTMR specifications. |