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 above) 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.IPWEAQ chief executive officer Leigh Cunningham said the 2017 awards had attracted a record number of nominations, with 55 projects and 11 individual nominations submitted from councils both large and small across Queensland.“Introduced in 2002 the awards aim to recognise excellence, innovation, forward thinking and sustainability in the delivery of projects that benefit Queensland communities,” Ms Cunningham said.“Winners in each category are selected by a judging panel of experienced public works professionals based on the project submission.“The criteria addresses innovation but also stakeholder engagement and the contribution to the community and local economy.“There are considerable benefits for winners including industry acknowledgement and recognition from their local mayor, councillors and community.”

Category winners:

Overall winner – City of Gold Coast, Sarawak Avenue Steel Footbridge RenewalEngineer of the Year – Mike Brady, Toowoomba Regional Council

Woman in Engineering – Glenda Kirk, Mareeba Shire CouncilYoung Engineer – Aaron Meehan, Western Downs Regional Council (now with South Burnett Regional Council)Works Supervisor – Jeff Heit, Toowoomba Regional CouncilPresident’s Award – Frank Scheele, South Burnett Regional CouncilInnovation – Sunshine Coast Council, Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve Rainforest Discovery Centre Innovation (high commendation) – Cairns Regional Council, Shields Street HeartProjects under $2 million – City of Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise Orchid Avenue Urilift Public AmenityProjects $2 million to $5 million  – City of Gold Coast, Sarawak Avenue Steel Footbridge RenewalProjects $5 million to $10 million – Cairns Regional Council, School of Arts Building RenewalProjects $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 UpgradeRoad safety – Logan City Council, Flooded Road Smart Warning SystemAsset management – Gladstone Regional Council, CCTV Wastewater Data ManagementInnovation in water – Mareeba Shire Council, Mareeba Wastewater Treatment Plant UpgradeWater 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