Several community and council funded irrigation and water projects have been named in the roll call of finalists of the Engineers Australia, Sydney Division Excellence Awards 2013.
The highest number of entries into the 2013 awards program was in the category of Engineering for Regional Communities.
Stephen Finlay, Executive Director, Engineers Australia, Sydney Division said it was indicative of the extraordinary contribution their members are having in the development of sustainable water solutions for regional Australia.
“The finalists in this category are having a real impact on the improved water services and sustainability of waterways across regional NSW,” said Mr Finlay.
“With council funded projects featuring heavily this year, it is a great sign of the commitment that so many regional communities have made to improving infrastructure like new pipelines, sewage treatment facilities, wastewater plants and stormwater harvesting and reuse projects.”
“We are proud to represent our members who continue to champion sustainable water solutions where Australia needs them most,” said Mr Finlay.
The Computer-Aided River Management Project (CARM) by the State Water Corporation with joint entrant Water for Rivers, has been awarded a finalist position in both the Engineering for Regional Communities, and Software and Embedded Systems categories.
The project achieves water savings whilst delivering an improved service to all water users of the Murrumbidgee River. By taking a ‘whole valley approach’, the engineers ensured the irrigation needs of the whole region were considered in the development of the sustainable solution.
Other finalists included;
Lismore City Council’s Southern Trunk Main project which increased sewage infrastructure caused minimal disruption to landowners, residents and Aboriginal sites of significance
Griffith City Council’s Wastewater Treatment Facility, the largest membrane bioreactor (MBR) facility in NSW (at time of commissioning in May 2012).
Liverpool Plains Shire Council, which has been awarded finalist status for two projects in the category of Engineering for Regional Communities, including the reconstruction and expansion of a storm water drainage in Werris Creek and the safety and storage upgrade of Quipolly Dam.
The Mardi-Mangrove Link, entered by Wyong Shire Council with joint entrants Gosford City Council and GHD, is the largest water infrastructure project undertaken on the Central Coast in over 25 years.
Dubbo City Council’s installation of a 10 megalitre stormwater harvesting tank beneath Apex Oval’s playing surface to collect recycled water to irrigate the Dubbo Sporting Complex.
ITS Trenchless’s (based in NSW) repair of Ayr’s ageing irrigation infrastructure to provide long term performance benefits and significant cost savings.
Championing proactive sustainable water solutions for regional Australia, finalists in the Engineering Excellence Awards Sydney 2013 have been invited to enter the second level of the awards, with winners to be announced at the Engineering Excellence Awards Sydney Gala Dinner, 20 September, 2013 at The Star Event Centre, Sydney.
For more information about the Engineering Excellence Awards Sydney visit www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sydeea
