Two South Burnett Regional Council engineers were among those taking home trophies from the 2017 Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia, Queensland (IPWEAQ) Excellence Awards.
The council’s senior engineer Frank Scheele (pictured) was awarded the President’s Award for his leadership of the recent review of the Queensland Urban Drainage Manual (QUDM).
QUDM assists council engineers and stormwater designers in the planning, design and management of urban stormwater drainage systems. It addresses the technical, legal, regulatory and environmental aspects of effective drainage systems to achieve best practice within Queensland communities.
Newly appointed South Burnett Regional Council general manager for infrastructure Aaron Meehan took the Young Engineer award in recognition of his work with his former employer, the Western Downs Regional Council.
He had successfully delivered Western Downs Regional Council’s largest works programs for flood damage and resource works and implemented a reorganisation strategy to manage an economic downturn, and deliver a future fit Works Department.
The IPWEAQ Excellence Awards recognise councils and individuals who have demonstrated best practice and innovation in public works projects across Queensland.
A total of 20 awards for 2017 were presented at a gala dinner and awards ceremony held at the Ville Resort, Townsville, where 350 of the state’s leading authorities on engineering gathered for the annual state conference.
The City of Gold Coast collected three awards, including the top prize of the evening – with its Sarawak Avenue Steel Footbridge Renewal being recognised as this year’s overall winner.
Toowoomba Regional Council’s general manager infrastructure services Mike Brady was named Engineer of the Year, while Mareeba Shire Council’s Glenda Kirk was named Woman in Engineering.
Category winners:
Overall winner – City of Gold Coast, Sarawak Avenue Steel Footbridge Renewal
Engineer of the Year – Mike Brady, Toowoomba Regional Council
Woman in Engineering – Glenda Kirk, Mareeba Shire Council
Young Engineer – Aaron Meehan, Western Downs Regional Council (now with South Burnett Regional Council)
Works Supervisor – Jeff Heit, Toowoomba Regional Council
President’s Award – Frank Scheele, South Burnett Regional Council
Innovation – Sunshine Coast Council, Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve Rainforest Discovery Centre
Innovation (high commendation) – Cairns Regional Council, Shields Street Heart
Projects under $2 million – City of Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise Orchid Avenue Urilift Public Amenity
Projects $2 million to $5 million – City of Gold Coast, Sarawak Avenue Steel Footbridge Renewal
Projects $5 million to $10 million – Cairns Regional Council, School of Arts Building Renewal
Projects $5 million to $10 million (High Commendation) – Richmond Shire Council, Richmond’s New Administration Centre
Projects over $10 million – Central Highlands Regional Council, Blackwater Aquatic Centre
Projects over $10 million (High Commendation) – Sunshine Coast Council, Evans Street Upgrade
Road safety – Logan City Council, Flooded Road Smart Warning System
Asset management – Gladstone Regional Council, CCTV Wastewater Data Management
Innovation in water – Mareeba Shire Council, Mareeba Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade
Water projects under $2 million – Outback Regional Water Alliance, Regional Outback Water Quality Infrastructure Program
Water projects $2 million to $5 million – Bundaberg Regional Council, Burnett River Discharge Facility for Rubyanna Wastewater Treatment Plant
Water projects over $5 million – Wide Bay Burnett Regional Organisation of Councils, Wide Bay Burnett Regional Organisation of Councils Joint Sewer Rehabilitation Program
