Once again the NSW Division of the IMEA has acknowledged the contribution of engineers to innovative problem solving initiatives in Local Government through its annual Engineering Excellence Awards. The Awards are made in three categories. Winner of the Design Award was Hurstville City Council for the Hurstville Aquatic Leisure Centre. Opened in late 1995, the Centre’s design and construction have reached new levels of technological achievement and quality.
The principle feature of the design is provision of facilities for all members of the community regardless of age, fitness levels and ability in a relaxed environment. Highly commended in this category were Gunnedah Shire Council for its indoor pool and Pittwater Council for its rockfall protection works.
Kempsey Shire Council took out the Management Initiatives Award for its Asset Management System. Based on the Mapinfo geographical information system, it provides a registry of all Council assets and information essential to Council operations. The system allows for informed management decisions regarding replacement and maintenance of assets using geographical, pictorial or spreadsheet output of information.
Cooma-Monaro Shire Council was Highly Commended for its Cooma North and East Wastewater Rehabilitation Project, while Drummoyne Council won a Commendation for its Human Resource Information System Competency Assessment.
A system of carrying out high quality and efficient road patching and maintenance secured the Innovation or Introduction of New and Improved Techniques Award for Weddin Shire Council.
Along with establishing of an effective process and work group to meet the demands of an aging bitumen road network, Council purchased a Paveline Patchmobile. This has enabled an output in excess of 10m3 of aggregate being laid per day for patching and bitumen sealing and resealing. Virtually no failures have been recorded.
Commendations were awarded to Dubbo City Council for an Improved Dubbo City Lid Lifter and South Sydney City Council for its Trial of Solar Powered Pedestrian Activated Flashing Lights.
