Projects
Project Under $1 million – The Esk Pedestrian Bridge – Somerset Regional Council
The Esk Pedestrian Bridge is an essential element of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail (BVRT) spanning Redbank Creek. The Esk Pedestrian Bridge also provides critical connectivity between the Esk Showgrounds and Esk Township and forms part of the Esk walking fitness trial. The original timber bridge was destroyed during the devastating January 2011 flood and this section of the trail was closed until a new bridge could be constructed. Funding for the bridge was provided by the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements Program, a joint Federal (75%) and State (25%) government initiative.
Project $1 million to $5 million – Barron Gorge Road Rock Fall Protection Barrier – Cairns Regional Council
The Barron Falls and Gorge is located within one of Queensland’s most popular and picturesque Wet Tropics World Heritage Area national parks and as such, is an important site for tourism and recreation activities. The road also provides the only access to Cairns’ hydro-power station. By installing the rock fall barrier, Cairns Regional Council aimed to considerably improve user safety in this popular area. To provide safer, long-term access to the renowned Barron Gorge in Cairns, a rock fall protection barrier was installed near a steep rocky slope where poor soil and rock stability has led to periodic rock falls.
Highly Commended
Pre-cast Link Slab Causeways – Cook Shire Council
Cook Shire Council has come up with a new way of constructing floodway’s utilising precast units, this saves time and money but most importantly works can occur in flowing stream conditions without the need to interfere with the flow of the stream. The benefits are less environmental impact and less potential for sediment mobility. The permit process is by in large circumnavigated by utilising entity exemptions due to the construction methodology. The time onsite is less than a 1/3 of normal site works. Quality can be controlled, and costs are reduced as the point of supply for the bulk of the materials is back in the casting yard near suppliers. Weather is no longer an important factor in works as the overwhelming majority of the works occurs under controlled conditions.
Road Safety
Rockhampton Regional Road Safety Strategy – Rockhampton Regional Council
Rockhampton Regional Council strongly believes that the level of road trauma in Rockhampton can be reduced but needs everyone working together to address the underlying causes of crashes in the region.
The development of the Rockhampton Regional Council Road Safety Strategy 2012 – 2022 and associated Action Plan marks the first step in this journey towards safer road users, safer speeds, safer roads and roadsides, and safer vehicles. Together we can make a difference!
Overall Winner
Guidelines for Improving Dwelling Resilience to Flood Induced Scour – Bundaberg Regional Council
The Burnett River in Bundaberg reached its highest recorded flood level as a result of ex-tropical cyclone Oswald in January 2013. This event resulted in widespread flooding to the Bundaberg area and extensive damage to buildings, property and infrastructure. In response to this event, Council prepared a Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) to facilitate short term planning requirements. In support of this, a significant piece of technical and scientific work was initiated by council in developing a guideline for improving resilience to flood induced scour for Dwellings Constructed within the Flood Hazard Area. The document provides assistance to designers in formulating improved flood resilient outcomes.
Innovation
Total Water Cycle Management Plan – Redland City Council
Redland City Council’s Total Water Cycle Management Plan (TWCMP) is a way to deliver balanced decisions for water management that meet the community’s needs and aspirations in a manner that optimises social and environmental benefits and minimises costs.
Asset Management
Life cycle Cost Asset Management Plans – Townsville City Council and Local Government Infrustructure Services
The Life Cycle Cost Asset Management Plan Model will revolutionise the way in which Townsville City Council approaches its decisions relating to holistic asset management. Bringing together three previously disparate strategies (capital works, operations and maintenance, and service levels), the model quantifies the interdependency of those strategies and the impacts of a decision across the rest of the asset portfolio – in terms of cost, customer service levels and risk.
The sophisticated, bespoke tool empowers Council to make financial and operational decisions to achieve optimal financial sustainability. The impact of these decisions will also be shown on agreed and desired service levels and acceptable levels of risk, making it a powerful enabler for sound asset management.
Water
Under $1 million – Bedourie Cooling Ponds – Diamantina Shire Council
The water supply in Bedourie is via a free flowing artesian bore reticulated through the town. The project involved construction of a cooling pond at Bedourie to reduce the water temperature prior to distribution to homes and businesses. The goal of this project was to reduce water temperature and wastage.
The Bedourie Cooling Ponds project was staged with earthworks and plumbing completed as local resources permitted. Earthworks commenced in April 2011 and all works were completed in April 2012.
Over $10 million – Agnes Water / Seventeen Seventy Integrated Water Project – Gladstone Regional Council
Gladstone Regional Council has safeguarded the water supply for the townships of Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy through an integrated approach to water and wastewater treatment. TRILITY was awarded a design/construct/operate/maintain contract in 2007 for the development of a desalination plant and recycled sewerage scheme. Aimed at reducing reliance on the area’s limited groundwater resources, and developed with the utmost consideration for environmental impacts, the project has provided the communities with a safe, reliable and sustainable source of water. It has allowed further development of the area that was not possible with the previously restricted water supply.
People
IPWEA Queensland Engineer, Graham Cook
With 30 years experience in local government, Western Downs Regional Council’s General Manager – Engineering Services, Mr Graham Cook, has built a reputation for delivering excellence in public works and engineering.
To meet the challenges and opportunities presented by managing utilities and infrastructure networks across 38,039 square kilometres — the equivalent size of Switzerland — a population base growing 1.4% annually, and booming resource sector industry development, Graham has employed industry-leading best practice to ensure on time, on budget delivery of major projects.
Current projects include: $100M Utilities Accelerated Capital Works Program; $90M Regional Flood Recovery Works; $70M Resource Sector Road Infrastructure Upgrades.
IPWEA Queensland Young Engineer, Dwayne Honor
Dwayne is a willing contributor and we anticipate seeing him in a higher profile in years to come. Mr Honor went to Gin Gin State High School and later graduated with distinction from Central Queensland University with dual degrees in civil engineering technology and business administration. He got his first engineering job at the Kolan Shire Council working in road design and survey, and has worked as the Bundaberg Regional Council’s Design Manager since 2005.
