Each year since 2002, the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia, Queensland Division Inc. (IPWEAQ) has presented Excellence Awards to encourage excellence in the innovation, development, completion and management of Local Government and public works projects. The 2009 Awards were presented at the IPWEAQ Excellence Awards Dinner, held in Barcaldine on 3 July 2009. They are sponsored by the Queensland Foundation for Public Works Engineering and the Queensland Water Directorate.
Overall Award
Mackay Regional Council –
Mackay Water Recycling Project
A major initiative of Mackay Regional Council, the Mackay Water Recycling Project will recycle approximately 90 per cent of Mackay’s wastewater and protect the Great Barrier Reef from more than 250 tonnes of nutrients and 150 tonnes of suspended solids every year. The program also protects local ground water resources by reducing demand by 8,500 megalitres each year. The project has generated good partnerships with local businesses, including the local abattoir and the sugar cane industry.
The recycling scheme is the largest of its type in Queensland and has been recognised by the Queensland and Federal Governments as a signature project in water recycling. This ambitious and highly successful project demonstrates excellence in planning, design, communication and project management, gaining significant social and environmental benefits.
Project Awards
Projects less than $5 million: Moreton Bay Regional Council – Woody Point
Jetty Reconstruction
In replacing Woody Point Jetty, Moreton Bay Regional Council has demonstrated empathy with the original iconic jetty structure, initially built in 1881. While using the latest modern materials, it has achieved a heritage appearance through the use of recycled timber decking.
The requirement for a 100 year design life has been addressed, with the new structure taking into account significant storm surge loads and climate change impacts. Environmental impacts have also been minimised by following the footprint of the original jetty.
Significant community consultation makes the finished jetty an important part of the Redcliffe foreshore and something future generations will be able to enjoy.
Projects $5–$10 million: Rockhampton Regional Council – Rockhampton
Community Centre and Library
This new Rockhampton Community Centre shows an excellent appreciation of the need to cater for a multitude of users through the establishment of distinct ‘user zones’. The latest technology has been incorporated into a very modern building that links well with other buildings in the near vicinity, including a heritage site. The simplistic exterior appearance complements the exciting interior space, where a ‘flowing river’ theme links the various user zones.
Innovation Projects: Sunshine Coast Regional Council – Erosion and Sediment Control
This project demonstrates innovation in environmental protection associated with stormwater runoff in urban development.
The manual produced as a result of the project has value for other urbanising areas, and, importantly, the education and training elements of the project demonstrate how critical it is to upskill council staff across the organisation.
With a focus on ecological sustainability, the program has demonstrated some important new initiatives in sediment capture technology.
Innovation Commendation: Etheridge Shire Council – Pavement Rehabilitation Works
Etheridge Shire Council received an Encouragement Award in the Innovation and New Technology category for its Pavement Rehabilitation on the Gulf Development Road project.
This project demonstrates significant cost savings are achievable through the use of dual stabilisers to improve the efficiency of incorporating moisture and achieving necessary compaction.
The results have been shared with rail specialists, MRD, with the aim of fostering use by the Department on other MRD projects, resulting in potential cost savings.
2009 Water Awards
Water Projects less than $5 million: Carpentaria Shire Council – Norman River Crossing
This project stands out among many entries over the past years in showing what can be achieved through engineering excellence under trying and hazardous conditions. When the water supply to Karumba failed during flooding caused by tropical Cyclone Charlotte in the beginning of this year, the 600 residents and tourist population of the township were without safe drinking water.
In a remarkable partnership with the Australian Defence Force, Carpentaria Shire Council established a temporary water treatment plant in Karumba in under a week. The break in the 44 kilometre long supply main was located using a helicopter and boats through crocodile infested floodwaters and was found nine metres under the Norman River. The repair to a 560 metre section was completed in an astonishing seven weeks and water supply was re-established just 12 weeks after the initial failure.
Given the flooding, isolation, unstable ground conditions on site and lack of vehicular access, this astounding achievement is truly deserving of an Engineering Excellence Award.
Water Projects $5–$10 million: Redland City Council and Parsons Brinckerhoff –
Coochiemudlo Island Wastewater Project
This partnerships project between Redland Shire Council and Parsons Brinckerhoff enabled Coochiemudlo Island in Moreton Bay to be sewered. The project replaced existing septic tanks, absorption trenches and gravity sewers resulting in strong social and environmental outcomes. Services to residents on the island have been improved and the risk of contamination of groundwater and the waters of the Moreton Bay National Park have been minimised.
Water Projects over $10 million: Wide Bay Water Corporation – Nikenbah Project
Wide Bay Water Corporation demonstrated best practice project management and design in the creation of a 25,000 person Membrane Bioreactor ‘water reclamation plant’. The project has delivered environmental benefits and contributed certainty for growth in the local and regional economy.
The plant reduces discharge to the Hervey Bay environment by more than 20 tonnes of nitrogen and two tonnes of phosphorus each year.
The project was finalised with over $6 million in savings through using inhouse and innovative management approaches.
People Awards
Engineer 2009: Dawson Wilkie,
TCS (Qld) Pty Ltd.
Dawson is the IPWEAQ Immediate Past President, the feather duster. Dawson has worked very hard in his Branch and Board journey, and in finishing his term, he is leaving the IPWEAQ in very good stead. Dawson has been a significant driver of the Queensland Water Directorate.
Young Engineer 2009: Neil Ogilvie, Etheridge Shire Council
Neil Ogilvie is a young and enthusiastic Graduate Civil Engineer looking for opportunities to expand his experience in the delivery of projects and construction.
As Director of Engineering Service for only two years, Neil is responsible for leading and coordinating the Engineering team through construction, maintenance, water supply and parks and gardens. His department has grown in excess of 50 per cent of the traditional size, with budgets growing by more than 100 per cent
of previous years.
Neil has taken on a large role and is working with the staff to more than capably deliver the community’s expectations.
Technical Officer 2009: Tony McDonald, Toowoomba Regional Council
Over the past 32 years of his employment with Cambooya Shire Council, now Toowoomba Regional Council, Tony McDonald has played an integral role in the tremendous changes that have seen the area progress to the high standard that it is known for within the industry today.
Over his nearly 40 years of employment in Local Government, including those in the position of Manager Engineering Services, Tony has shown great leadership by way of assistance and encouragement to individual members of his teams and by building rapport with individuals and industry peers.
Works Officer 2009: David Shing,
Sunshine Coast Regional Council
David Shing has shown a willingness to jump into the amalgamation process and take up the challenges. He has been active in building partnerships across the three previous council areas; has been an active participant in Council’s service review processes; and is willing to share his ideas where possible
David was also utterly reliable when Council experienced a season of two major floods, major beach erosion, and an oil spill. He also stepped into the role of President of the Works Officers Association of Queensland, following Phil Lakey’s sad passing.
