Awards and Competitions

Joint winner

Council House 2 (CH2) Building
City of Melbourne, Lincolne Scott, Bonacci Group

With the CH2 project, The City of Melbourne moved into the next generation of office building design. The team constructed a building that is innovative, creative, technologically advanced, environmentally sustainable and fiscally responsible.

Compared with the Council’s existing Council House, CH2 produces only 13 per cent of the emissions of the old Council premises and operates on significantly reduced utilities consumption including,;; an 85 per cent reduction in electricity consumption, and 7 per cent reduction in gas consumption and a 72 per cent reduction in water mains supply.

CH2 not only establishes a benchmark for reduced greenhouse gas emissions and energy efficiency, it also provides a first-rate working environment for its occupants.

In addition to best practice building design, the City of Melbourne is using public and professional interest in CH2 to undertake research and information exchange programs promoting the use and benefits of green building design within and outside of Australia.

The judges were impressed with the multi layered complexity and integration of the CH2 systems and the application of many engineering disciplines to achieve the overall results.

Pyramid Creek Salt Interception Scheme
Sinclair Knight Merz, Goulburn-Murray Water, Pyramid Salt, Murray Darling Basin Commission

The Pyramid Creek Salt Interception Scheme in Northern Victoria is a key component of the Kerang Lakes Area Draft Salinity Management Plan. The Plan is designed to intercept over 22,000 tonnes of saline groundwater from reaching connected waterways each year.

Operating within the Loddon and Murray River systems, the Scheme will generate estimated benefits over $650,000 per annum to water users downstream on the Murray and aims to resolve the reality and risks of salinity. The foremost feature of sustainability is the Scheme’s commercial arrangement to harvest around 30,000 tonnes of salt from the facility annually.

The judges were impressed by the inspiring nature of the project; its ability to positively affect millions of people in several states; the fact that the project is setting the standard internationally for salt interception schemes and the level of detail in the risk analysis and ongoing monitoring of the project.

Winner

Middleborough Road Rail Separation Project
Middleborough Road Alliance (VicRoads, John Holland, Connex, Department of Infrastructure)

Restoring road access and rail services on the Middleborough Road Rail Separation Project in Melbourne, created a new benchmark in grade separation delivery.

Considerable engineering, logistical and community challenges were resolved to complete this project. The short timeframe necessitated around-the-clock construction to meet project deadlines. The Alliance was responsible for transferring up to 7000 commuters per hour via a train replacement bus network during the duration of the project.

The judges felt that this project delivered an outstanding outcome in terms of a complete rail result in a very short shutdown period, with minimal disruption to commuters and the local community.

A key project outcome was the completion of major works within 27 days generating major benefits not just for the Alliance partners, but road users, rail passengers and the local community.

This project is an excellent example of what is possible within exceedingly tight time constraints.

High Commendation

Epsom Spring Gully Recycled Water Project
Beca, Coliban Water

The Epsom Spring Gully Recycled Water Project involving collaboration between Coliban Water and Beca was aimed at alleviating Bendigo’s chronic water supply problem - the result of eight years of drought. The project generates some 4400 Mega litres annually. “New” water is generated for City parks, gardens and rural irrigators by recycling wastewater effluent thereby ensuring the equivalent catchment water is available for potable use.

Completed in just over 12 months, Stage 1 of this project involved delivering the necessary infrastructure, including 14km of pipeline, a high lift pump station and a water treatment facility. Stage 2, due for completion in early 2008, will provide an enhanced membrane treatment to further improve the water quality for longer term use.

The judges believe the project was well conceived and executed, adhering to tight time and financial budgets. It utilised existing assets with innovative new works and brought real and visible benefits to the community.

Southern Cross Station
Leighton Contractors, Winward Structures, Southern Cross Station Authority, Grimshaw Jackson Joint Venture

Redeveloping Melbourne’s former Spencer Street Station created a new civic landmark for Melbourne that forms a major interchange for all modes of transport. The main feature of Southern Cross Station, is its 37,000 square metre wave-form roof, which covers an entire city block. The roof utilises passive ventilation technology to extract exhaust fumes from the enclosed space, thereby reducing the station’s power consumption and carbon emissions.

Construction of the facility took place over and within a fully operational transport interchange, which every weekday serviced up to 60,000 commuters.

The project was constructed over and within a fully operational transport interchange, a feat that had never been attempted before in Australia, and very seldom internationally. The project team developed important innovations in structural engineering and overcame complex construction challenges to bring a remarkable design concept to reality.

The judges noted the structural engineering and erection of the roof were exceptional and that the achievement is even more impressive when the scale, geometric complexity and work within a working station environment are considered. Given the immense scale of work and complex non-repetitive 3 dimensional geometry, the judges felt the project team produced an outstanding result where the structure expresses the architecture very well.

Winner

Lorne Pier Reconstruction Project
McConnell Dowell, EDAW Australia, Maunsell Australia, Department of Sustainability and Environment

The Lorne Pier is a Great Ocean Road icon. In response to a 2005 Government tender to replace the existing 1960’s concrete pier, McConnell Dowell, with architect Edaw and designer Maunsell, developed an innovative engineering method to construct a new 196 metre concrete and timber structure.

The existing concrete structure was used as a work platform during construction, enabling access for a 30 tonne excavator fitted with rock coring equipment, and a 50 tonne crawler crane to install 64 concrete filled tubular piles and erect the superstructure. Once construction of the new pier was completed, the team demolished the original pier.

The judges noted the permanent and temporary works design in this project were exemplary. The attention to aesthetic, functional and community details was significant, resulting in increased control, minimized environmental risk and significant client and user satisfaction.

The new Pier features a platform on the end with room for the large numbers of people who visit the pier for recreational fishing and sight-seeing.

High Commendation

Road Stability Works, Great Ocean Road, Princetown
Morverk Constructions

Morverk Constructions were engaged by VicRoads to resolve a major stability problem on a 200 meter long section of the Great Ocean Road near Princetown.

The project involved constructing a 1metre wide deep cut-off drain and intercepting and controlling ground water flows affecting the roads stability. These works were performed on the side of a steep hill within an unstable and complex geotechnical environment. A tiered retaining wall prevented further slippage and the embankment was reinstatement using Expanded Polystyrene blocks.

The judges believe that this project is an excellent example of practical planning and project management. The project team used site constraints and the physical layout to advantage in delivering a practical, flexible outcome. The judges were also impressed with the project team’s willingness to take initiative and suggest alternative solutions which delivered financial benefits to the customer.

Through detailed planning, additional site investigation and design review, Morverk were able to reduce the environmental impact of the project and provide significant time and cost savings to the client.

Winner

Vertech Vertical Casting Innovation for Concrete Poles and Piles
Vertech Hume

Vertech Hume developed a new technology for the manufacture of steel reinforced, hollow, concrete power poles. This new technology, in the form of a vertical casting process replaced an outdated application in the manufacture of concrete poles, that has been used internationally for 95 years.

The vertical casting process generates massive savings in every area of production. The plants themselves cost less than a traditional spin casting plant. They require 80 per cent less manpower, are environmentally superior, use less power, recycle water, are supremely quiet and offer greatly enhanced speed and productivity.

The international implications for the concrete power pole, pile and large diameter pipe manufacturing businesses from applying this technology are considerable. In the case of large infrastructure projects, a moveable plant can be quickly established on site, which is a development that is unprecedented in this industry.

The judges were particularly impressed with the program and process innovation in this project that resulted in an innovative engineering solution and signficantly improved outcome.

High Commendation

Exhausted Air Recycling System (E.A.R.S)
Global E.A.R.S

Australian company Global EARS developed the Exhausted Air Recycling System to assist and improve the performance of the global pneumatic industry. The EARS system utilizes the wasted air exhausted from air tools by capturing it and returning this low pressure air to the compressor.

The reduced loads required to generate the necessary pressure to produce a higher flow rate, benefit the individual compressor. The work environment is also cleaner and safer with noise and contaminants normally ejected next to the user returned to the compressor, via filters.

The judges believe like all significant original ideas, this project was simple, effective and executed with ingenuity. EARS strong international acceptance also promotes Australia as a source of engineering innovation and excellence.

Mallaty Creek Pipeline Project: Innovative Solutions
GHD

Alinta engaged GHD to provide gas pipeline services for the Mallaty Creek Pipeline Undermining Mitigation Project . This project was significant because it involved three pipelines that are major New South Wales “assets”, which transport approximately 90 per cent of the state’s natural gas and ethane supply.

GHD provided a detailed design for pipelines at Mallaty Creek. The mitigation strategy involved an innovative process that had not been used in Australia for a project of this scale. The process incorporated excavating pipelines and repositioning them onto pipeline supports, to provide stability despite substantial ground movement.

The project was completed in December 2006, and will provide ongoing benefits for the engineering industry. Judges were impressed by the exceptional planning undertaken to complete this unique task in a short time frame.

Winner

Altona Clean Fuels Venture
ExxonMobil, Transfield Services, Shedden Uhde

The Altona Clean Fuels Venture was commissioned in November 2005, to meet the Federal Government's January 1, 2006 deadline for cleaner fuels in Australia.

The new legislation required benzene in petrol to be cut from five per cent to one per cent, and sulphur in diesel to be reduced from 500 parts per million (ppm) to 50 parts per million (ppm).

To meet these new requirements, the Altona Refinery embarked on an innovative restructuring program which involved substantially reconfiguring the Refinery – installing new plant and equipment, changing the service of existing equipment, refurbishing and re-using previously decommissioned equipment.

The judges were impressed by the strong and capable management of all aspects of the project - in particular the inspiring of confidence and fairness to the manual workforce as a whole.

High Commendation

RAN Replacement Tanker Design
Australian Marine Technologies

In an Australian first, a commercial oil tanker, HMAS SIRIUS, was successfully converted to meet the Royal Australian Navy’s operational need for a Fleet Replenishment Ship. The converted vessel also complied with new Maritime Pollution Regulation deadlines and exemplified the responsiveness, resourcefulness and innovative capability of Australia’s Shipbuilding Industry.

Australian Marine Technologies, under contract to Tenix, developed an integrated design package incorporating the Commonwealth’s unique naval requirements into an existing commercial tanker within seriously constrained timeframes. Some of the more unique design aspects include a 25 metre cantilevered flight deck, integrating a ‘State of the Art’ Replenishment at Sea system, single deck logistics handling facility and new double hull auxiliary oiler.

The judges were particularly impressed by the use of knowledge, expertise and the best engineering tools available in securing this project outcome.

Winner

HydroShare – Real-time Web-based Reporting for Remote Monitoring Sites
South East Water, 'us' Utility Services

HydroShare is a unique web-based system that monitors water usage, customizes and displays “real-time” information through users’ own Internet websites. Its detailed data and simple-to-read graphics allow users to easily identify and address leaks and wastage, monitor their water consumption 24/7 and in the case of businesses, supports water saving initiatives and raises awareness. The system can also send alerts to mobile phones or email addresses if it detects an unexpected spike in water usage.

HydroShare is a powerful tool for sharing water usage information across the user’s organisation, and with water authorities. No special hardware or software is needed. HydroShare is already helping over 50 businesses, schools, hospitals, parks and gardens save significant amounts of water.

The judges noted that a key feature of the project is the way in which it is being taken up in schools through competitions and students taking an active interest in water usage.

High Commendation

Telstra’s Next G™ National High Speed Wireless Network Deployment
Telstra Corporation

Launched simultaneously across metropolitan, regional and rural Australia in October 2006, Telstra’s Next G network, a national third generation mobile high speed broadband network, was built and launched in a record 10 months. Being the world’s fastest, largest and most advanced national mobile broadband network, Next G™ covers 98.8 per cent of the Australian population.

The network combines world dominant third generation GSM technology and operation at a frequency of 850 Mega Hertz (MHz) which is superior for rural coverage and in-building depth. This is only the second use of this combination in the world.

The judges nominated this to be a worthy project and noted the complex and impressive roll out of a powerful network with good results.

Winner

Brain Waves
South East Water

Brain Waves is an innovative on-going program that taps into employees’ innovative ideas, highlighted by the annual Brain Waves Cup. The Cup gives volunteer teams training and resources to convert their ideas into business plans, and awards a cash prize to the winners.

To date, 60 Brain Waves ideas have been implemented, all contributing to South East Water’s business objectives by saving costs, improving services, creating commercial opportunities, enhancing safety and environmental performance, and strengthening an open, innovative work culture.

The judges saw this as innovative engineering resulting in a positive community and company outcome and were particularly impressed with the collaboration achieved amongst the project team and its stakeholders

High Commendation

4sight – Safe Behaviour Program
URS

URS developed a safe behaviour program, “4sight”, providing employees with a simple and effective tool to help identify and control hazards at the worksite – before they become incidents.

4sight is a behaviour based safety tool reminding all employees to ask themselves, their colleagues and contractors, four important questions before they begin a task either in the field or office environment - namely:
• What am I about to do?
• What could go wrong?
• What could be done to make it safer?
• What have I done to communicate the hazards?

In the year since the introduction of the 4sight program there has been a significant reduction in the number of recordable major injuries and an increase in safety awareness within the Company.

The judges felt that this project was very effective and made a significant difference to the Organisation’s bottom line in terms of lost time and increased productivity.

VicRoads Technical Capability Building Program
VicRoads

VicRoads People Services developed the Technical Capability Program in 2006 to identify, map, track and report on 66 strategic Technical Expertise Areas.

With approximately 1100 professional engineers and technical support staff in regional and project offices across Victoria, building and sustaining technical capability across a diverse engineering organisation is always difficult.

Staff assessments, are used to tailor training and development needs with individual capability rated at five levels from Novice to Expert.

These assessments are referenced against the broader work group needs with skill gaps and trends identified and addressed in workforce planning.

The judges felt this project represented an innovative solution developing expert competencies to address issues associated with skill shortages within the Organisation

Pyramid Creek Salt Interception Scheme
Sinclair Knight Merz, Goulburn-Murray Water, Pyramid Salt, Murray Darling Basin Commission

Pyramid Creek is a 60km enlarged natural stream which functions as a major irrigation water carrier in Northern Victoria. A remodelling of the creek in the late 1960’s directed high levels of saline groundwater into the Creek with 50,000 tones of salt water entering the waterway annually.

Operating within the Loddon and Murray River systems, Pyramid Creek is a key component of the Kerang Lakes Area Draft Salinity Management Plan. In a departure from the costs of traditional salt interceptor schemes, Pyramid Creek aims to resolve the reality and risks of salinity generating estimated benefits of $650,000 per annum, and improved water quality to downstream water users in Western Victoria, South Australia and Adelaide. The Facility prevents over 22,000 tonnes of saline groundwater from reaching connected waterways each year and harvests 30,000 tonnes of salt per annum – converting what was previously an expensive waste product into a valuable resource with multiple applications.

Pyramid Creek is at the forefront of environmental projects and represents ‘World Best Practice’. The Panel was impressed by the inspiring, complex nature of all levels of the project; the fact it sets international and national standards for the design, operation and management of salt inception schemes, positively affects millions of people in several Australian States, applies exceptional planning and risk solutions and can be applied to recover areas previously ruined by salt intrusions. A unique groundwater pumping facility also ensures steep drawdowns do not occur and processes the presence of iron bacteria in groundwater.