2021 Engineering Excellence Award Nominees

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	Excellence in Public Works Project < $2M
Winner: Yarra City Council, Edinburgh Gardens Stormwater Harvesting Scheme

Gannawarra Shire Council

During 2019 and the first half of 2020, Gannawarra Shire Council completed the masterpiece of its Koondrook – Victoria’s Nature Based Tourism Destination project. This major redevelopment has enabled safe all ability pedestrian access in the tourist town of Koondrook to benefit the community and visitors at the internationally recognised Koondrook Wharf and Koondrook Nature Based Tourism Hub precinct. This project ensures minimum pedestrian disruption and safe access at times when the banks of the Murray River at Koondrook host major events. These include arts performance and the biennial RiverDaze music festival, which attracts international artists and visitors.

Darebin City Council

Darebin Council supported local hospitality businesses following the easing of lockdown restrictions in 2020 by expanding outdoor dining into car parking spaces, laneways and local streets. The first phase was a ‘quick win’ response utilising hired water-filled barriers to safely separate diners from traffic on local roads where car parking was reimagined as parklets. In the second phase, barriers were replaced with parklets consisting of planter boxes and wooden decking flooring using locally recycled timber, as well as recycled rubber kerbing to provide vertical deflection from vehicles. An additional 1,250 seats were provided through the Extended Outdoor Dining project.

Yarra City Council

The 2020-completed $1.6 million Stage 2 upgrades of the Edinburgh Gardens Stormwater Harvesting Scheme is a project managed by Yarra City Council with support of City West Water. The works included the installation of a 1ML underground storage tank as well as upgrades to the existing raingarden and drainage system. The upgrades were a key action defined in the City of Yarra Integrated Water Management Plan (2020) and completed with the objective of further improving stormwater runoff quality and providing alternative water sources for the irrigation of Edinburgh Gardens, reducing the reliance on potable water supplies.

	Excellence in Public Works Project $2M - $5M
Commended: Darebin City Council, Beavers Rd Bridge Winner: East Gippsland Shire Council, 2019-20 Bushfire Waste Project

Darebin City Council Darebin City Council recognises the importance of reducing its impact on the environment. The Polyrok sustainable footpath renewal project sets out Council’s approach to waste reduction and support the Darebin City Council as an environmental leader by setting the example for the community to follow and prioritise opportunities to reduce waste from its capital and operational services. The footpath concrete mix contains 10% post-consumer soft plastics - this relates to 10% of coarse aggregates replaced by plastics otherwise destined for landfill. The Polyrok project is valued at approximately at $4million.
City of Darebin Darebin Council has identified nine strategic cycling corridors across the municipality that support the use of active travel to local destinations. The first, the Streets for People Northcote-Thornbury corridor, spans almost three kilometres along the Mernda train line linking multiple activity centres, schools, community services and public transport. The community were engaged at all stages of the project and provided valuable feedback as ‘Street Champions’. With support from State Government through the Safer Travel in Local Streets program, and a $1 million dollar 1:1 grant, we successfully implemented over 20 treatments to support active travel along the corridor.
Latrobe City Council Following the Hazelwood Mine Fire in 2014, the Morwell community embarked on an intensive consultation process to develop the Future Morwell Plan. From that master-plan the Morwell CBD Revitalisation project was completed to re-imagined Morwell as the ‘Town of Gardens’, delivering an entrance, village centre, and beautification to embrace the community’s pride and set its future direction. Future-proofed with free public wifi, smart streetlights, wireless phone charging furniture and a community gathering space equipped with power and relocatable furniture for events, the project will encourage people to visit, walk and spend time in the heart of Morwell.
Frankston City Council Frankston Park plays a key role as a home of the Frankston Dolphins who compete in the Victorian Football League (VFL) competition matches. The recently completed works to upgrade lighting to broadcast level will establish Frankston Park as a premium sporting ground in the near future. This will increase its capability to televise VFL matches and for hosting future Australian Football League Women’s League (AFLW) matches. Across South East Melbourne, there are not many sporting grounds which has capability to illuminate sports ground to 1000 lux including television broadcasting.
Campaspe Shire Council Redevelopment of Echuca’s riverfront involved the creation of a highly accessible and visually alluring riverfront at the popular location, Riverboat Dock. An inviting and functional community open space has been established, able to support informal family gatherings and picnics, as well as larger events and festivals. Improved access to commercial paddle-steamers and houseboats ensures operators can grow their business and a refurbished kiosk will attract a new commercial entrant to operate a café with river views. The redevelopment enables better integration with the adjacent Historic Port of Echuca and guarantees environmental outcomes through protection of the riverside ecosystem.
Cardinia Shire Council Deep Creek Reserve in Pakenham is Cardinia Shire’s exciting new outdoor space. A place of environmental significance, Deep Creek Reserve offers people of all ages and abilities many ways to learn, play and get active.
City of Darebin The Beavers Road Shared Path Cable Stayed Bridge is designed to improve linkages between the local communities. It is provided for pedestrians and cyclist use only. There are a few bridges over Merri Creek in the area that are dedicated to active transport modes, providing linkages to the network of shared user paths along Merri Creek.
East Gippsland Shire Council The 2019-20 Australian Bushfire season was one of extraordinary intensity with significant fires burning across much of the country. East Gippsland was one of the worst affected regions with fires burning out of control for over three months. Burning over 320,000 hectares, the bushfires saw the destruction of over 650 dwellings in East Gippsland Shire alone. The East Gippsland Shire Council utilised three landfills for the disposal of the resultant waste. One such site was the previously closed and rehabilitated Orbost Landfill. The innovative process of re-opening this landfill is one unrivalled in Australian waste management history.
East Gippsland Shire Council East Gippsland Shire Council created the Bosworth Rd Recreational Area, achieved significant environmental and community outcomes and saved ratepayers more than $6 million, through phytocapping the disused Bairnsdale landfill. In contrast to conventional capping, which uses clay to seal a decommissioned landfill, phytocapping is an active process whereby trees and other vegetation are used as living pumps to naturally prevent water from leaching into groundwater or nearby waterways. This phytocapping project was the first of its kind in Victoria. The new park includes native vegetation, walking trails, an off-leash dog park and observatory decks overlooking the nearby RAMSAR-listed wetlands.

	Excellence in Public Works Project > $5M
Commended: City of Stonnington, Prahran Square Winner: Latrobe City Council, Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre

City of Stonnington Prahran Square is the largest project the City of Stonnington has ever undertaken. It was completed in 2019, but the vision was conceived over 30 years ago. What was once a bitumen car park is now a 10,000 square metre parkland AND a 500-bay car park. Prahran Square is a world-class public space that is owned and enjoyed by all, enhancing the commercial sustainability and vibrancy of surrounding precincts. A place to connect with family and friends, watch a live performance or relax in the surrounds, Prahran Square is an inviting and highly attractive space for all ages to visit.
Banyule City Council Ivanhoe Library and Cultural hub project commenced in 2007 with Architects appointed to develop a masterplan for the Ivanhoe Precinct. This facility will be the centrepiece of community learning hubs across Melbourne’s northern suburbs. The hub is located next to Banyule’s iconic art-deco Town Hall and will bring community engagement and culture to the heart of the community. Heidelberg Town Hall is of architectural significance, therefore the design of contemporary library and cultural hub building became more challenging so that the heritage town hall and new building complimented each other. The project was completed within budget.
Greater Shepparton City Council The Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) comprises a 5-storey building with four L-shaped plates that make up the building’s vertical facades. The building houses the museum, Visitor Centre and the Kaiela Arts Gallery and studio for Aboriginal art and artists. Inclusive of event spaces, and rooftop viewing deck, the project serves as a cultural landmark for the community. Greater Shepparton City Council has managed the realisation of this building from concept to construction. Strong governance, stakeholder engagement and contractor management was critical to delivering this major community infrastructure project on time and on budget, notwithstanding the challenges associated with COVID-19.
Monash City Council Oakleigh Recreation Centre Redevelopment is a $26 million project redeveloping 1 of Council’s 3 recreation facilities and is the biggest project ever delivered by the City of Monash. The key project deliverables include: A new state-level facility to accommodate Waverley Gymnastics and to host local and regional competitions. Five new quality indoor multi-purpose sports courts to be used netball, basketball and volleyball, including show court retractable seating for up to 550 spectators. A completely updated and expanded gym, rooms for spin (cycle), Pilates and yoga and a low sensory room (quiet, soft lighting) for low stimulation/contemplative activities.
Latrobe City Council The GRAC was fast-tracked and filled to the brim with first-rate features, from an eight-lane 50m indoor pool with 500 spectator seats to a regional first deep bore geothermal heating system to reduce carbon footprint and significantly decrease operational costs. Features include an indoor water play zone, two large water slides, learn to swim pool, café and retail precinct and a 25m heated outdoor pool as well as a host of health and wellbeing facilities on deck including a warm water therapy pool, spa, sauna and steam rooms, wellness centre, wet and dry change facilities and gymnasium with group fitness rooms.
Casey City Council Bundled Recreation Reserves for Casey City Council. Casey is delivering 8 new recreation reserves using a bundled delivery model ensuring competitive pricing and accelerated delivery. The procurement process allowed tenderers to submit for between 1 and 4 of the reserves. Council could appoint one or multiple contractors for the reserves. Also, Council could add up to 4 additional reserves to the successful tenderer(s), depending on performance, funding and program. The 4 reserves are now complete. An additional 4 reserves were then added, 3 of which are now under construction. The combined value of all 8 projects is approximately $100M.

	Excellence in Innovation - Metropolitan
Commended: Darebin City Council, Beavers Rd Bridge Winner: Melton City Council, Unlocking Hidden Capital

City of Casey Bundled Recreation Reserves for Casey City Council. Casey is delivering 8 new recreation reserves using a bundled delivery model ensuring competitive pricing and accelerated delivery. The procurement process allowed tenderers to submit for between 1 and 4 of the reserves. Council could appoint one or multiple contractors for the reserves. Also, Council could add up to 4 additional reserves to the successful tenderer(s), depending on performance, funding and program. The 4 reserves are now complete. An additional 4 reserves were then added, 3 of which are now under construction. The combined value of all 8 projects is approximately $100M.
Darebin City Council The Beavers Road Shared Path Cable Stayed Bridge is designed to improve linkages between the local communities. It is provided for pedestrians and cyclist use only. There are a few bridges over Merri Creek in the area that are dedicated to active transport modes, providing linkages to the network of shared user paths along Merri Creek.
Darebin City Council Darebin Council supported local hospitality businesses following the easing of lockdown restrictions in 2020 by expanding outdoor dining into car parking spaces, laneways and local streets. The first phase was a ‘quick win’ response utilising hired water-filled barriers to safely separate diners from traffic on local roads where car parking was reimagined as parklets. In the second phase, barriers were replaced with parklets consisting of planter boxes and wooden decking flooring using locally recycled timber, as well as recycled rubber kerbing to provide vertical deflection from vehicles. An additional 1,250 seats were provided through the Extended Outdoor Dining project.
Melton City Council Melton City Council has employed the use of traffic simulation software to analyse the existing road and path network in a school area using actual vehicle and pedestrian data. A number of potential design scenarios were compared through simulation modelling to determine the best improvements to safety and efficiency before engaging the community for feedback. The simulation is a great tool to show the community how the road will look and operate, and give the public an opportunity to provide feedback before construction works commence. The end product can be found via the link here.
Melton City Council Melton City Council is one of the fastest growing municipalities in Australia, managing an infrastructure asset portfolio valued at over $2.5B with a planned annual increase of $220m through new build. Its population is projected to grow 182% by 2051. The challenge is to preserve the current average asset health of 80% and to extract more value from current resources to meet future demands. Melton City Council developed and implemented algorithm-based asset models across all its asset categories, enabling the improvement of service delivery at the current level of capital expenditure, making it an industry leader in the international community.

	Excellence in Innovation - Regional
Commended: Smarterlite, Safety Path Line-marking Commended: City of Greater Geelong, Stormwater Services Strategy Winner: East Gippsland Shire Council, 2019-20 Bushfire Waste Project

Cardinia Shire Council Cardinia Shire Council has introduced a requirement for development contractors to provide internal CCTV footage for all stormwater pipes prior to asphalt being placed. This initiative has eliminated defects and damaged stormwater pipes being handed over to Council and reduced the need to cut asphalt seals to rectify the defects/damage.
Gannawarra Shire Council Gannawarra Shire Council’s Operations Team has revolutionised its approach to workplace safety by implementing a paperless system for managing Occupational Health and Safety. During mid-2020, Council implemented the Business Enterprise Risk Technology – commonly referred to as BERT – into its daily practices, eliminating the need for paper-based submissions. This system enables plant prestart check lists, the preparation of Safe Work Method Statements and OHS safety inspections to conduct digitally using any smart device. Thanks to this system, staff can access the relevant information for each vehicle by scanning a Near Field Communication chip using a smart device.
East Gippsland Shire Council The 2019-20 Australian Bushfire season was one of extraordinary intensity with significant fires burning across much of the country. East Gippsland was one of the worst affected regions with fires burning out of control for over three months. Burning over 320,000 hectares, the bushfires saw the destruction of over 650 dwellings in East Gippsland Shire alone. The East Gippsland Shire Council utilised three landfills for the disposal of the resultant waste. One such site was the previously closed and rehabilitated Orbost Landfill. The innovative process of re-opening this landfill is one unrivalled in Australian waste management history.
East Gippsland Shire Council East Gippsland Shire Council created the Bosworth Rd Recreational Area, achieved significant environmental and community outcomes and saved ratepayers more than $6 million, through phytocapping the disused Bairnsdale landfill. In contrast to conventional capping, which uses clay to seal a decommissioned landfill, phytocapping is an active process whereby trees and other vegetation are used as living pumps to naturally prevent water from leaching into groundwater or nearby waterways. This phytocapping project was the first of its kind in Victoria. The new park includes native vegetation, walking trails, an off-leash dog park and observatory decks overlooking the nearby RAMSAR-listed wetlands.
City of Greater Geelong The City of Greater Geelong (The City) must adapt many of its services in response to a rapidly increasing population, growing economy and changing climate. An innovative strategy for the provision of stormwater services ensures that The City understands the needs and expectations of the community, establishes appropriate service levels, and enables the aspirations of Geelong’s “Clever and Creative” vision to be realised.
City of Greater Geelong The City of Greater Geelong was driven by the 2016 Commission of Inquiry to improve asset data, strengthen strategic planning and ensure sustainability. 2020 was a challenging year, however responding innovatively we realised a step change in our asset practice. Approximately $1.2M saved through Work for Victoria COVID-19 initiative for data collection. This resource and method was shared regionally. Strategic models were established for each asset class. The complex asset base of $2.5B is consumed by approximately $45M annually. Modelling shows optimising intervention could unlock $6M annually for investment elsewhere within the community (when compared to traditional run-to-fail approach).
SmarterLite Pty Ltd The night-time safety of high-risk rural roads will be improved with luminescent linemarking paints. In November 2020 blackspot safety company OmniGrip Direct supplied Safety Path’s luminescent paint technology for the Great Ocean Road at Moggs Creek. Luminescent paint absorbs day light and vehicle headlights, and emits stored light into the night, enhancing the line’s visibility. Using photoluminescent paint enabled Regional Roads Victoria to remove the need for unsightly, expensive road lighting and its associated environmental impacts. Safety Path, a division of SmarterLite, received a Round 1 grant from the Australian Government’s Road Safety Innovation Fund in July 2020.

	Excellence in Asset Management
Winner: City of Greater Geelong, Asset Management Transformation Project

Melton City Council Melton CC is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia. With a growth rate four times the state’s average, Melton needs efficient and automated processes in order to effectively on-board Council assets. The Asset Data Workflow project has seen a review and implementation of various solutions across six phases of the workflow. This project has been led by the Engineering Services team and involved collaboration with external software developers and internal working groups. Council staff have refined their automation skills through SQL scripting, and designing business intelligence dashboards to create a live snapshot of the state of Council’s assets.
Darebin City Council Absence of data in the past led to Darebin Council making reactive decisions when it came to provision of open space (OS) assets. This resulted in affluent areas of the municipality becoming asset dense, meanwhile the lower socioeconomic areas were perhaps overlooked. As a result of this project, comprehensive data – together with Council’s proposed Parks Levels of Service strategy – not only ensures sustainable and evidence-based asset management decisions but works to close the equity gap.
City of Greater Geelong The City of Greater Geelong was driven by the 2016 Commission of Inquiry to improve asset data, strengthen strategic planning and ensure sustainability. 2020 was a challenging year, however responding innovatively we realised a step change in our asset practice. Approximately $1.2M saved through Work for Victoria COVID-19 initiative for data collection. This resource and method was shared regionally. Strategic models were established for each asset class. The complex asset base of $2.5B is consumed by approximately $45M annually. Modelling shows optimising intervention could unlock $6M annually for investment elsewhere within the community (when compared to traditional run-to-fail approach).
Monash City Council The City of Monash has over 123,000 trees, including 84,945 street trees, which it is responsible to manage on behalf of the community. As part of Council’s Asset Management Strategy, CoM has been moving its operations from a paper-based system onto its Asset Management System Confirm. This has included all of Council’s tree management activities such as, reactive inspections and works, proactive tree inspections and works and street tree planting and establishment processes. Implementation has included rollout of a mobility solution for all field work (including Contractors), automation of asset disposal and creation and improved reporting and monitoring of works.

	Excellence in Environmental Sustainability
Commended: Gannawarra Shire Council, Sustainable Gannawarra Winner: East Gippsland Shire Council, Bosworth Rd Recreational Area

Gannawarra Shire Council Sustainable Gannawarra is a multi-faceted program that involves Council meeting the objective of becoming Victoria’s solar renewable energy capital. The initiative includes: Reducing Council’s carbon footprint by reducing electricity usage in its own assets; Assisting the community to reduce its impact on the environment through improved lighting and waste collection services; Enhance its solar electricity generation through the recycling of infrastructure deemed no longer needed from other Victorian-based projects; Investigating the development of micro grid systems to power local towns within the municipality; and Participating in the Central Victoria Greenhouse Alliance electric vehicle recharging program.
Ventia Driving excellence in environmental sustainability, Ventia’s services provision on the Western Roads Upgrade (WRU) demonstrates how a whole-of-life perspective and introduction of new technologies enables sustainable asset management of our roads, ultimately influencing transformation to sustainable sector practices. Putting the community first, Ventia ensures sustainability informs every decision. From commission of the industry’s first electric heavy road maintenance vehicle, via waste reduction, recycling and repurposing, to jobs and skills delivery creating sustainable skilled ecosystems within local communities, Ventia factors social, cultural, environmental and economic outcomes to embed long-term sustainable excellence in its service delivery model for WRU.
City of Darebin Darebin Council supported local hospitality businesses following the easing of lockdown restrictions in 2020 by expanding outdoor dining into car parking spaces, laneways and local streets. The first phase was a ‘quick win’ response utilising hired water-filled barriers to safely separate diners from traffic on local roads where car parking was reimagined as parklets. In the second phase, barriers were replaced with parklets consisting of planter boxes and wooden decking flooring using locally recycled timber, as well as recycled rubber kerbing to provide vertical deflection from vehicles. An additional 1,250 seats were provided through the Extended Outdoor Dining project.
East Gippsland Shire Council East Gippsland Shire Council created the Bosworth Rd Recreational Area, achieved significant environmental and community outcomes and saved ratepayers more than $6 million, through phytocapping the disused Bairnsdale landfill. In contrast to conventional capping, which uses clay to seal a decommissioned landfill, phytocapping is an active process whereby trees and other vegetation are used as living pumps to naturally prevent water from leaching into groundwater or nearby waterways. This phytocapping project was the first of its kind in Victoria. The new park includes native vegetation, walking trails, an off-leash dog park and observatory decks overlooking the nearby RAMSAR-listed wetlands.

	Emerging Public Works Leadership Award
Daniel Kelabora: Infrastructure Design Coordinator, Latrobe City Council

Gannawarra Shire Council	Gannawarra Shire Council’s Manager Projects & Property, Wade Williams has become a leader in the public works area across north-western Victoria, particularly within the local government sector. First employed as a Civil Project Officer with Council in 2017, the 33-year-old has excelled since being promoted to the Manager Projects & Property position in mid-2019. Using his background and experience in construction/engineering, contract management and estimating, Wade has worked alongside the Gannawarra community to oversee the implementation of town-changing State and Federal government-supported works at riverside towns of Cohuna and Koondrook.
Cardinia Shire Council	Daniel Mauger is being nominated for his outstanding leadership skills both internally within his team and externally within the development/engineering industry. In the four years Daniel has worked at Cardinia Shire he has demonstrated his leadership capabilities by acting in his coordinator’s role, completing Cardinia Shire’s leadership fundamental program and was successful in obtaining the role of Team Leader Development. Daniel is an asset to the organisation and the wider community. Well done, keep up the great work!
Latrobe City Council	Daniel Kelabora, Infrastructure Design Coordinator specialising in civil design and construction After over a decade of public works practice in metropolitan and regional Victoria at Manningham City Council and Latrobe City Council, Daniel became the Young IPWEA committee chair for Victoria in 2019 and representative on the Australasian Young committee before becoming an IPWEA Victoria board member in 2020.Daniel contributed as a project manager and designer during the Future Morwell Project.
Darebin City Council	Jennifer McIntyre has worked in urban planning for the past 5 years and has led many successful projects, including the Streets for People walking and cycling program, and the award-winning Octopus School project. She has shown her leadership through various roles, including as Place Manager for Darebin’s hospitality Covid recovery project, and as Acting Team Leader City Design, where she developed a new approach for delivering streetscape improvements in areas of economic disadvantage. Jennifer has shared her work at conferences and webinars, and continues to prioritise community, wellbeing and sustainability in her current role as Principal Parks Planner.

	Public Works Leadership Award
Rick Kwasek: Director Environment & Infrastructure; Stonnington City Council

Frankston City Council	Senior Project Manager Ashish Bhavsar has around 30 years of experience working in private and public sector delivering range of engineering services. This includes project delivery - civil and buildings, traffic and transport management, subdivision and development works and infrastructure planning.
Campaspe Shire Council	Name: Dr Jason Deller Organisation: Campaspe Shire Council Skills: PhD and Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering Experience: Nearly 30 years in local government Achievements: 2010 IPWEAQ Engineer of the Year, 2011 James Hill Prize for Best Paper published in the ICE Municipal Engineering Journal awarded in London, 2017 IPWEA NSW Innovation Award. Community Contribution: Presenter of the QUT/CARRS-Q Road Safety Audit Course in Queensland.
Stonnington City Council	Rick Kwasek is the Director of Environment and Infrastructure As Director of Environment and Infrastructure with the City of Stonnington, he manages a diverse portfolio of services and capital works in the specific areas of Open Space and Environment, Transport and Parking, Physical Operations, Project Management and Delivery and Asset Management. See additional details submitted.
Greater Shepparton City Council	Phil Hoare is Director Infrastructure/City Engineer. Phil has a strong connection to Greater Shepparton having been born, raised and educated in the area. He also lives locally and comes from a family with a farming background in the area. Phil was also a participant in the Fairley Leadership program in 2001. With a career of approximately 30 years, Phil worked initially in local government, including time with the City of Shepparton in the late 80’s to early 90’s, before moving to the water industry where he worked with Goulburn Murray Water for 22 years. Phil’s experience includes senior management roles across a broad range of business functions including infrastructure management activities such as design and construction, strategic asset management, project management; customer service and operational roles covering administration, strategic business planning, customer engagement and consultation. As the Director Infrastructure/City Engineer, Phil is responsible for: Capital Works Planning Design Services Development Engineering Project Management Office
City of Greater Geelong	Michelle Walker is Coordinator Corporate Asset Management at the City of Greater Geelong. The role was established to further the goals of the Corporate Transformation Program at the City of Geelong following the 2016 Commission of Inquiry. The Asset Management Strategy endorsed by our Asset Management Steering Committee in 2020 focuses on three program streams: Policy strategy and Governance, Long term and Lifecycle Management and Information Management. See further information submitted.

2021 Engineering Excellence Award Nominees

Excellence in Public Works Project < $2M

Excellence in Public Works Project $2M - $5M

Excellence in Public Works Project > $5M

Excellence in Innovation - Metropolitan

Excellence in Innovation - Regional

Excellence in Asset Management

Excellence in Environmental Sustainability

Emerging Public Works Leadership Award

Public Works Leadership Award