The Condor Tower in Perth, took out top honours of the Sir William Hudson Award for engineering excellence from 44 national finalists at the 2010 Australian Engineering Excellence Awards gala dinner at the Great Hall of Parliament House Canberra last night, Wednesday 24 November. The awards were attended by Their Excellencies the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC and Mr Michael Bryce.

The Engineers Australia Sir William Hudson Award was accepted by Mr Arthur Psaltis, Managing Director, Pritchard Francis Pty Ltd.

This project is unique in Australia and arguably worldwide. Condor Tower, a mixed-use 28 storey building at 22 St Georges Terrace, exemplifies leading engineering innovation by adding 18 storeys on top of a 10 storey abandoned building. Condor Tower pushes the boundaries of building adaptability and sustainable design by demonstrating how obsolete structures with remaining design life and inherent strength can be recycled and transformed.

By not demolishing the existing building the associated safety problems were eliminated. Reusing the existing concrete structure reduced by 5,040 tonnes the concrete consumption and building wastage that would have gone to landfill.

The judges saw this project as an outstanding example of innovative Australian engineering which is truly world class. The commitment of the client, design engineers and construction team to achieving the result is highly commendable.

Australian Engineering Excellence Awards Winners

Working towards a safer construction industry, Sustainable Built Environment National Research Centre and John Holland.

Safety performance is a real challenge for Australia’s, (and the world’s construction) industry. The industry has an obligation to ensure the safety of workers, the public, suppliers and other participants in the construction process. Injuries and fatalities in Australia’s construction industry cost the nation $3.6 billion each year. The national scope of this project across the eight state and territory jurisdictions presented significant challenges but genuine buy-in from across the industry saw success for the project. The application of new knowledge is generating wideranging social and economic benefits, including a reduction in workers’ injuries and compensation claims.

The award was accepted by Mr Chris Evans, General Manager of Regional Business and Dr Keith Hampson, CEO, Sustainable Environment Research Centre.

Centroc Water Security Study, Central NSW Councils (Centroc) - Joint entrant MWH.

Central NSW Councils (Centroc) represents over 236,000 people covering an area of more than 70,000 square kilometres. The Centroc Water Security Study was initiated in November 2008 to examine the region's water supplies. The investigation used sophisticated modeling to forecast urban demand for a 50-year horizon, and resulted in a water security strategy that involves water conservation and demand management measures, and new and upgraded water supply and storage infrastructure. The study demonstrated excellence in water security modeling of demand and regional collaboration that achieved real gains in climate change adaption and resource management. The judges commend the project and its collaborative communities approach to other regions and governments in Australia in resolving the issues surrounding water security for our future.

The award was accepted by Ms Emma Pryor, Business Manager for Business Solutions Group, MWH Global.

Blakefield South - 11kV Longwall Electrical System Ampcontrol.

The Blakefield South project is the world’s first longwall mining operation to use an 11,000 Volt (11kV) powered Armoured Face Conveyor (AFC) in a Hazardous Zone. Its use will improve productivity worldwide in the mining industry. The project represents a significant step change for longwall mining as it offers new technology for increasing production rates through the installation of larger motors at the operating face. The successful design and delivery of this project is the culmination of four years intensive effort and collaboration between Ampcontrol, Joy Mining Machinery and Xstrata Coal.

The award was accepted by Mr Keian Barnard, General Manager Power Division, Ampcontrol.

Kurilpa Bridge by Baulderstone, Arup, Cox Rayner Architects, Queensland Department of Public Works.

The Kurilpa Bridge in Brisbane is the largest ‘tensegrity’ structure in existence and a world first application in bridge building. ‘Tensegrity’ is a term to describe a structural system where the integrity is based on a balance between tension and compression components. It is an exciting piece of infrastructure which stretches the boundaries of engineering to astonishing new levels. Kurilpa demonstrates that innovation of the highest order can be produced when skilled designers and constructors adopt a truly collaborative approach.

The award was accepted by Mr Stephen Green, Director & General Manager, Queensland, Baulderstone Pty Ltd.

Techport Australia Common User Facility by Built Environs Pty Ltd, McConnell Dowell, Defence SA, Rolls-Royce and Aurecon.

In December 2009, Aurecon Built Environs, Defence SA, McConnell Dowell and Rolls-Royce completed the 24 month construction of the Techport Australia Common User Facility (CUF) shipbuilding complex on the Port River at Osborne, South Australia. Work included over 450,000m3 of marine dredging, as well as construction of a 213m long fully-serviced wharf, a 300m long fully-serviced rail-based runway and extra heavy duty paved dry berth, and Australia's largest shiplift, capable of handling 9,300t vessels. The Judges were also impressed with the environmental benefits from the dredging activities which were achieved.

The award was accepted by Mr Trevor Lambert, New Business & Strategy Manager, Built Environs Pty Ltd.

Safety System for the China Fast Train Project iOmniscient Pty Ltd.

China has constructed a very fast train system between Wuhan in central China and Guanzhou in southern China, and has another 42 fast train lines scheduled to become operational by 2012. With very fast trains the driver has limited line of sight. The driver has insufficient time to stop the train if there is an obstruction. iOmniscient’s software and Green Cameras (which run forever without any external power supply) detect obstructions along the track and warn the drivers before they can actually see these. These obstructions include vehicles, animals, and other objects.

Judges noted the difference between the iOmniscient system and its competitors with its very low false alarm rate, a critical factor if the system is to avoid needlessly stopping the train when the obstruction turns out to be a shadow.

The award was accepted by Dr Marlene Kanga, Director iOmniscient Pty Ltd.

Australian Government Engineering Innovation Award (Sponsored by AusIndustry)

A Natural Biological Removal System for Oxalate, by Alcoa World Alumina.

Alcoa’s Technology Delivery Group has developed, installed and successfully commissioned a biological system which degrades oxalate, an impurity in the refining process, to sodium carbonate which can be re-used in the refinery. This innovative process utilises naturally occurring microorganisms to break-down oxalate which needs to be removed from the process. The judges were particularly impressed with the extent of ground breaking research and testing undertaken by Alcoa over 10 years and the ongoing PhD research studies into microorganisms and their actions in degrading oxalates.

The award was accepted by Dr Amanda Tilbury, Research Chemist, Alcoa World Alumina.

Environmental Engineering Excellence Award (Sponsored by University of Technology Sydney)

Water Reuse in Alice, Power and Water Corporation, Northern Territory Government.

This innovative project makes the best use of valuable water resources in Alice Springs and reduces wastewater overflows. Following the construction of the sewerage system in Alice Springs in the early 1960’s, the waste stabilisation ponds system has grown and frequently overflowed into nearby Iplarpa Swamp causing the ephemeral desert swamp into an area that supported reeds and soon became a breeding habitat for mosquitoes. The project team combined to resolve the problems and to secure long term water supply using this resource to enable the establishment of a horticultural industry.

The award was accepted by Mr David George (Acting) Manager Headworks Planning and Development, Power and Water Corporation.

The excellence of members of Australia’s engineering team was also celebrated at the dinner with awards for:

2010 Professional Engineer of the Year to Professor Karen Reynolds of Adelaide;
2010 Young Professional Engineer of the Year to Jillian Kilby of Sydney;
2010 Engineering Officer of the Year to Mark Patis of Brisbane; and
2010 Engineering Technologist of the Year to Patrick Campbell of Adelaide.

In addition, the 2010 Engineers Australia National President’s Prize was awarded by Professor Doug Hargreaves to senior teachers Brett Boughton and Paul Hogg of the Willetton Senior High School in WA for development of a two-year course that aims to boost the number and quality of students who decide to go on to study engineering at both university and TAFE.

Further information and photos about the all the projects and individual awardees are available at www.excellenceawards.org.au.

Media Contact: John Bright – 0407 234 490 / jbright@engineersaustralia.org.au
Engineers Australia is the common name of the Institution of Engineers Australia with a membership of 93,000