From nurdles and swarf to security tags, plastic strapping, and faded hi-vis scraps—everyday materials are quietly escaping our worksites, supply chains, and stormwater systems. Once they leave our hands, they don’t just vanish—they travel. They move through gutters, drains, and rivers, and eventually join a much bigger story of ocean pollution. In this keynote, Heidi Tait—CEO and founder of the Tangaroa Blue Foundation and driving force behind the Australian Marine Debris Initiative (AMDI)—reveals what two decades of national data tell us about where pollution really begins, and how smart design, site practices, and stewardship can stop it before it starts. From turning recovered fishing line into new sunglasses to partnering with councils on stormwater trap programs, Heidi shares surprising case studies that connect land-based decisions to ocean outcomes. You’ll see how construction sites, councils, and industries are leading change by rethinking waste, closing the loop, and collaborating across boundaries. This session will challenge you to look beyond the clean-up and ask: What’s leaking from my site, my system, or my sector—and how can we design it out for good?

Spotlighting a new system that enhances microbial health and activity in disturbed soils, this webinar will examine soil analysis in a case study – demonstrating how soil health can be built using a specific suite of beneficial microbes with non-leaching mineral fertiliser.

An ESC specialist requires knowledge in areas other than ESC to provide the best advice. But it is often challenging to know what knowledge to attain and how. Janine shall delve into the other areas of knowledge essential for an ESC specialist. Attendees can glean which areas they are deficient in and create an individual professional and personal development plan to become a fully rounded ESC specialist, and where to source reliable and unbiased factual information.

Since being awarded the IECA educational award in 2022, the On-Country Soil Erosion and Sediment Control training has continued to deliver unique and geographically experiences across Queensland. The training has offered a safe, inclusive, and experiential learning base for its attendees that not only expanded upon the best practice principals and techniques from IECA but exposes all participants to landscape and cultural insights only available when leaving the classroom and walking Country. Shared and integrated knowledge of air, water, soil, vegetation, and people. The content delivery on Country takes an empowering shift away from a teacher to pupil model and embraced a collaborative and adaptive approach. This presentation will talk through our recent presentations, learnings and the next steps for the program.

Flocculants are powerful tools that have been used for decades to control erosion, stabilize soil, and remove harmful contaminants from water. Flocculant treatments can meet very low discharge limits, allowing sites to stay in compliance, meet regulations and improve stormwater quality and clarity. Anionic polyacrylamide is the most widely accepted and commonly used flocculant due to being safe for aquatic life, and highly effective, and extremely versatile. This webinar will explore the benefits of aPAM technologies, approval and current use in New Zealand, as well as future usage in the region.

On the Takitimu North Link Project there is a complex set of stream diversion and culvert installation works being undertaken which have provided numerous erosion and sediment control challenges. A new stream channel is being diverted adjacent to an existing closed out landfill. However, it was discovered that there was a large volume of rubbish outside the footprint of the leachate line which turned a straight forward stream diversion into a complex contaminated land remediation exercise whilst working beneath the water table and within large volumes of leachate runoff.

Join our webinar on "Regenerative Ecological Fitness in Erosion Control" to explore how integrating Indigenous wisdom and sustainable practices can transform erosion control into a cost-saving and ecologically beneficial strategy. Learn from Townsville's success in creating its own SESC products and services, showcasing practical applications and new business opportunities that enhance ecosystem resilience and reduce costs.

Increased rainfall intensity with climate change is being incorporated into design rainfalls and runoff guidelines which can be used for erosion and sediment management on construction sites. Erosion and sediment controls are beneficial for construction sites impacted by increases in high intensity rainfall events to meet legislative requirements and reduce the burden on sediment basins.

The Five Pillars of Stormwater Management is a fundamental approach to managing construction stormwater that includes managing communication, managing work, managing water, managing erosion, and managing sediment. The Five Pillars concept categorizes and prioritizes application of control measures and practices in order of effectiveness and economy.

Members Only Benefit: IECA offers 1 PDH credit for members that complete the Environmental Connection Magazine Content Quiz.