Ulrike Pelz is a highly accomplished Senior Technical Director specializing in tunnels and major projects, with 30 years of extensive experience in civil engineering. Ulrike has gathered expertise in planning, designing, and executing complex tunnelling infrastructure projects across Europe, Asia and Australia, 

Throughout her career, Ulrike has excelled in various roles, including design, project management, and design management. She has a proven track record of delivering successful outcomes for tunnelling projects, thanks to her comprehensive technical knowledge and understanding of the key aspects of project delivery.

After 27 years on the contractor side, Ulrike joined GHD in May 2022 and has taken on the Tunnel Service Line Leader role for the APAC region, providing technical leadership to the team, advisory services to clients, and applying her strong management capabilities. She committed to excellence in delivery and focus on achieving the best for project outcomes.

One of her special interests is in tunnel waterproofing. Her dedication to sharing knowledge is evident through her participation in the ITA Working Group 19, occasional lecturing at the University of Queensland and contributing to conferences and training courses.

Milestones, challenges and opportunities for tunnelling and underground infrastructure in Australia

Tunnelling has played a crucial role in Australia’s infrastructure development, with significant increase in projects and advancements in the industry occurring since the early 2000s. This presentation reflects on the historical evolution of tunnelling projects in Australia, highlighting major milestones, engineering achievements, and challenges faced in the industry. The last two decades have seen an unprecedented increase in tunnel construction, driven by urban expansion and transportation demands, and some of the projects exemplify the scale and complexity of modern tunnelling. Challenges including cost and schedule constraints, geological uncertainties, and environmental concerns have shaped industry practices. Emerging trends, including the use of artificial intelligence, automation, and sustainability-focused tunnel designs, as well as a shift away from a transport focus are set to redefine the future of tunnelling. The presentation provides a reflection on past and present tunnelling developments and offers insights into the evolving landscape of underground infrastructure in Australia, including some technical examples.