Continued success: Quick Chat with 2014 MRE Awards winner Thursday, 02 June 2016

Engineer Quick Chat: Peter Foley FIEAust CPEng NER RPEQ

Since winning the 2014 Engineer of the Year Award at the biennial Mackay Regional Engineering (MRE) Awards, Peter Foley’s profile as a regional engineer has increased, recently completing a five-month project for Papua New Guinea.

Current job title and function?

I am the Principal Civil Engineer for WorleyParsons in Mackay. 

Why are you an engineer?

I originally became an engineer because my father and his brothers had an earthmoving company and they decided I should become an engineer so I could work for the family business. I am still an engineer because I enjoy solving problems, especially problems of a technical nature.

What are you working on now?

We have recently finished the design of the Ring Road on Lihir Island in PNG. The project took five months. Whilst technically there was nothing difficult about the design, we had to consider that almost all of the materials required during construction would have to be barged onto the island, which altered our perspective on construction costs.

Most challenging or interesting project you’ve ever worked on?

The most challenging project I have ever worked on was the Port of Brisbane railway line, which runs from South Brisbane to Wynnum and then branches off. I was Project Manager of the section from Buranda to Norman Park, and the bridges over Logan Rd and Crown St were the most challenging aspect of the project. Initially, they were built offline, then during weekend track closures, we demolished the existing bridge structures and jacked the new bridges sideways into position. It was challenging because we had 48 hours to demolish and replace the bridges and relay the track so that the line was opened for peak-hour on Monday mornings.

What do you see as one of the biggest issues facing the engineering profession?

Overseas design is one of the biggest issues facing our profession. Eventually, this will have an adverse effect on the training of our young engineers and on our design capability.

Favourite TV show?

Wallander, starring Kenneth Branagh. It was produced by the BBC and shot in Sweden. I really liked the cinematic style and the way it portrayed the countryside. I also enjoyed the characters and their development over the episodes.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you like to have with you?

A book by Terry Pratchett, a fishing rod with tackle and a hat.

Why are you an Engineers Australia member?

I am a member because I enjoy the interaction with my peers in the local Mackay community.

What are your reflections on winning the 2014 Mackay Engineer of the Year Award? 

It was an honour to win the award. Previous winners are very remarkable people and I was very humbled to be considered on a par with them.

 

The Mackay Regional Engineering Awards, proudly sponsored by North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation, is the region’s gala event of the year, honouring local engineers who have demonstrated great achievements and leadership. The MRE Awards give entrants valuable industry promotion, including peer recognition at the prestigious event, and category winners the opportunity to use their success to promote their organisation’s engineering expertise and the right to use the MRE Awards logo.

It’s easy and free to nominate yourself or another person for Project of the Year, Engineer of the Year and Young Engineer of the Year at the 2016 MRE Awards, which will be held on 15 July 2016. Submissions close on 10 June 2016.

Click here to find out more

Image caption: Lihir Island Road for PNG project