Australian Earth Sciences Convention 

AESC2014: Sustainable Australia 

7-10 July 2014 

Newcastle 

 

Tel: +61 2 4973 6573 

Fax: +61 2 4973 6609 

Email: aesc@willorganise.com.au 

http://www.aesc2014.gsa.org.au/ 

 

INFRASTRUCTURE, SERVICE & COMMUNITY 

 

The Earth Sciences play a fundamental role in providing critical information to a wide-range of stakeholders within the various 

levels of government, industry, organisations and the general public, along with a proud history of education and research. 

 

Infrastructure will address a wide range of issues in the general areas of engineering geology/geotechnical services and critically 

covers that important linkage between the Earth Sciences and Engineering. It will cover geotechnical problems and solutions 

encountered in recent large infrastructure projects and the role of increasing role of new technologies in investigations. Service 

and Community will address the geosciences response to distributed grid computing and cloud storage, dissemination of 

Geoscience information in a high-bandwidth environment, the continuing and evolving role of Geoscience outreach and 

education, Geohazard studies and their role in protecting the community, the contributions of Geotourism and Geoheritage, and 

the historical record and influence of Earth Scientists. 

 

ISC01 Catastrophic earthquakes and tsunami: Towards more effective risk reduction 

(ISC01: Earthquake and tsunami risk reduction) 

 

Proponents: Ian Lambert ian.lambert7@gmail.com 

 

Since the disastrous Boxing Day tsunami of 2004, the amount of breadth of research into the processes and complexity of the 

lithosphere and related issues that lead to catastrophic tsunamigenic events have increased considerably. This session would 

critically appraise whether more action is needed, including in relation to coordination of research and monitoring activities, 

systematic field observations (including of paleotsunami deposits), integration of all relevant data, and developing mechanisms 

to ensure the best possible scientific advice is marshalled and presented in a timely manner to key government decision makers. 

 

ISC02 Geoscience Education: The evolving role of geoscience outreach and education (ISC02: Earthquake and tsunami risk 

reduction) 

 

Proponent: Greg McNamara geoservices@geoed.com.au 

 

A session that will allow educators from Primary, Secondary and Tertiary education sectors as well as public science 

communications specialists present their findings relating to new programmes, engagement techniques and emerging 

challenges. 

 

ISC03 Geological Surveys: geology databases, online data, digital mapping (ISC03: Geological Surveys) 

 

Proponent: John Greenfield john.greenfield@industry.nsw.gov.au 

 

This session provides a forum for geologists to keep up to date with the latest methods, technologies and techniques used by 

Geological Surveys around the world to acquire, store, and deliver regional geological data. The session will also be looking at 

new ways of compiling, analysing and interpreting large datasets. 

 

ISC04 Australian Geological Heritage and the National Heritage List; are we being over run by the biologists? (ISC04: 

Geological heritage and the National Heritage List) 

 

Proponent: Sue White susanqwhite@netspace.net.au 

 

As geologists we often discuss the significance of various sites and have developed good protocols and methods for the ranking 

of sites. However we have not always applied this to specific sites for the National Heritage List (NHL). There has been little 

involvement by geologists in listing nationally important sites on the NHL. We also often conflate geological heritage with 

geotourism, a related but not identical area of interest. 

 This session will discuss the potential for the identification and nomination of sites on the NHL, including some case studies of 

potential sites. 

 

ISC05 Geotourism - enhancing public appreciation of geoheritage and earth sciences history (ISC05: Geotourism) 

 

Proponent: Angus Robinson angus@leisuresolutions.com.au 

 

Geotourism is emerging as a rapidly growing global phenomenon which fosters sustainable tourism based upon landscapes. 

Geotourism promotes tourism to geo-sites, helps to conserve our geoheritage, and provides an understanding of earth sciences 

and its history through appreciation and learning. The core focus of geotourism is that it places an emphasis on landscapes and 

landforms within which human activity has evolved. Historically the means for enhancing public appreciation of geoheritage and 

earth sciences history has been undertaken in a wide range of traditional geosite locations including mined areas, museums, 

caves, and protected areas such as national parks. However, the recent development and public acceptance (particularly 

overseas) of the geopark concept and the establishment of 16 iconic National Landscape areas in Australia have created exciting 

new opportunities for achieving this objective. Moreover, the ever increasing roll-out of digital technologies has identified new 

mechanisms for delivering geoscience information to a broad range of consumers including tourists and school groups. 

 

ISC06 Rock Art in Australia 

 

Proponent: Erick Ramanaidou erick.ramanaidou@csiro.au 

 

Australian aboriginal rock art is extremely rich. Caring for and protecting our cultural heritage is paramount so future 

generations can appreciate its significance. The petroglyphs are the cultural interfaces between geology and people; they are 

the earliest masterpieces. This session will cover both the significance of the rock art and also the complex geological history of 

underlying rocks by showcasing the latest research findings. 

 

Joint sessions hosted by other themes: 

EV6 Tsunamis and storm deposits in Australia 

 

 

 

 

 

The Earth Sciences play a fundamental role in providing critical information to a wide-range of stakeholders within the various levels of government, industry, organisations and the general public, along with a proud history of education and research. 

 

Infrastructure will address a wide range of issues in the general areas of engineering geology/geotechnical services and critically covers that important linkage between the Earth Sciences and Engineering. It will cover geotechnical problems and solutions encountered in recent large infrastructure projects and the role of increasing role of new technologies in investigations. Service and Community will address the geosciences response to distributed grid computing and cloud storage, dissemination of Geoscience information in a high-bandwidth environment, the continuing and evolving role of Geoscience outreach and education, Geohazard studies and their role in protecting the community, the contributions of Geotourism and Geoheritage, and the historical record and influence of Earth Scientists. 

 

Proponent: Greg McNamara geoservices@geoed.com.au 

 

A session that will allow educators from Primary, Secondary and Tertiary education sectors as well as public science communications specialists present their findings relating to new programmes, engagement techniques and emerging challenges. 

 
ISC04 Australian Geological Heritage and the National Heritage List; are we being over run by the biologists? (ISC04: Geological heritage and the National Heritage List) 

Proponent: Sue White susanqwhite@netspace.net.au 

 

As geologists we often discuss the significance of various sites and have developed good protocols and methods for the ranking of sites. However we have not always applied this to specific sites for the National Heritage List (NHL). There has been little involvement by geologists in listing nationally important sites on the NHL. We also often conflate geological heritage with geotourism, a related but not identical area of interest. This session will discuss the potential for the identification and nomination of sites on the NHL, including some case studies of potential sites. 

 

Proponent: Angus Robinson angus@leisuresolutions.com.au 

 

Geotourism is emerging as a rapidly growing global phenomenon which fosters sustainable tourism based upon landscapes. Geotourism promotes tourism to geo-sites, helps to conserve our geoheritage, and provides an understanding of earth sciences and its history through appreciation and learning. The core focus of geotourism is that it places an emphasis on landscapes and landforms within which human activity has evolved. Historically the means for enhancing public appreciation of geoheritage and earth sciences history has been undertaken in a wide range of traditional geosite locations including mined areas, museums, caves, and protected areas such as national parks. However, the recent development and public acceptance (particularly overseas) of the geopark concept and the establishment of 16 iconic National Landscape areas in Australia have created exciting new opportunities for achieving this objective. Moreover, the ever increasing roll-out of digital technologies has identified new mechanisms for delivering geoscience information to a broad range of consumers including tourists and school groups. 

 

Proponent: Erick Ramanaidou erick.ramanaidou@csiro.au 

 

Australian aboriginal rock art is extremely rich. Caring for and protecting our cultural heritage is paramount so future generations can appreciate its significance. The petroglyphs are the cultural interfaces between geology and people; they are the earliest masterpieces. This session will cover both the significance of the rock art and also the complex geological history of underlying rocks by showcasing the latest research findings.