After flood waters damaged Lismore's garbage dump and sewage plant, leading to 20 million litres of polluted water, the NSW Public Works team took charge to handle the repairs. They got help from ENV, a company skilled in environmental fixes, to produce a temporary way to clean this water. ENV used a method they called Biological Leachate Remediation (BLR). This method used a mix of techniques to clean the water, removing things like metals and harmful chemicals. ENV's approach was not only friendly to the environment but also cost-effective. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has suggested the method could be used in other places and for different water cleaning tasks.

Dr Tanja Rosenqvist has contributed an enormous amount to the engineering profession, community, and education sectors over her remarkable career. She is an advocate for a more human and planet-centred approach to engineering. Her work transforms and ‘democratises’ engineering - making engineering something everyone and everything (nature) can take part in. Dr Rosenqvist has spent almost a decade improving water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions in low-income countries which has had a profound impact in these affected communities.

Joe Townsend has carved out an impressive engineering career, through his senior leadership roles with NSW Business Chamber and Australian Business, fuelled by passion and enthusiasm for the profession. He is committed to uplifting the engineering community and his hands-on approach is highlighted through pivotal roles in board and advisory capacities for Engineers Australia and several government organisations. As Townsend puts it, he envisions a future “where the engineering profession is increasingly influential, impactful, and held in high esteem by the broader community.”