A record number of delegates attended the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia – Queensland Division annual in Noosa from 6–10 October.
Professor Ian Lowe, in the keynote presentation titled ‘Engineering for a Sustainable Future’, provided a macrocosmic view of sustainability, and what would be required in general terms to achieve this. He defined the elements required and stressed the importance of ‘communities’.
Futurist, Susanne Haydon, showed how to ‘think outside the square’ by exploring and developing scenarios for future planning.
John McGeorge, winner of the best paper at New Zealand’s conference, provided an interesting snapshot of some of the rural road issues affecting Wanganui Council.
The conference provided an opportunity for each of the branches to showcase projects, and excellent presentations allowed delegates to hear about projects being undertaken throughout Queensland in city, urban and regional areas.
The inaugural Excellence Awards program attracted twelve entries from eight Councils, with the following results.
Overall Winner: Noosa Council’s Eenie Creek Road Stages 2 and 3
Eenie Creek Road is bounded by the Noosa National Park. The planning of the project, a challenge for engineers Cardno MBK, included concideration of resident concerns through consultation, and overcame the obstacles of crossing a fish habitat area and the habitat of koalas, as well as avoiding significant feeding areas of the glossy black cockatoo, ground parrot, acid frog, and rare and threatened flora and fauna. The judges stated that the opportunity for Local Government to manage this major project arose because of a ‘demaining’ agreement with the Department of Main Roads. Preparation of this planning report to provide a major roadlink at Noosa has involved the broadest range of participants and stakeholders, and involved a complex range of sensitive environmental issues. The planning report has now allowed the consultants to proceed with the design, confident that all issues have been satisfactorily identified with resultant long term benefits for the community.
Highly Commended: Beaudesert Shire Council’s Mount Tamborine Hang Glider Toilets
Perched on a clifftop on Tamborine Mountain, where eagles and hang gliders soar, is a spectacular little hang glider shaped dunny. Sceptics have suggested the building is about to take off but with solid steel construction, this public convenience with breathtaking views will be there for a long time. The public toilet, funded by the Queensland Government and Beaudesert Shire Council, uses little water and can be used in remote locations where finding a reliable water supply is a challenge. The judges commented that the innovative use of recycled water may be worthy as a model for other local authorities to adopt.
Highly Commended: Townsville City Council’s Louisa Creek Stormwater Management Program
The Townsville City Environmental Planning section engaged Citiworks to project manage the design and construction of two pollution control systems. Sinclair Knight Merz was retained to design one system, while Maunsell McIntyre was responsible for the design of the other system. As well as the full project management, this project is of particular merit due to the following.
- Alterations in design following pubic meetings.
- Assistance by conservation volunteers in the construction.
- Ongoing community monitoring and the involvement of university students in the project.
- Experimental fish habitat pools.
