Australia’s peak civil construction industry body Civil Contractors Federation Australia (CCF) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2023 CCF National Earth Awards. This year’s finalists and winners were recognised at the awards ceremony held on 10th November in Canberra. Congratulations to the 2023 CCF National Earth Awards winners:
PROJECT VALUE UP TO $2M
BridgePro/ Latrobe Council | Warrawee Suspension Bridge | Tasmania
Latrobe Council sent a Request for Tender for a contractor to undertake the design and construction of a new bridge. This bridge was to replace the existing trail bridge connecting the Latrobe to Railton section of the Wild Mersey Mountain bike park. The scope of the works was to deliver a new ‘high-level’ bridge that would be used for recreational use as well as part of the green-rated mountain bike trail in the Warrawee Reserve, whilst meeting all required environmental considerations from the Parks and Wildlife Service.
As the successful contractor, BridgePro designed and constructed the largest pedestrian suspension bridge in the southern hemisphere. Further environmental challenges arose throughout the project, including construction scheduled during the endangered Wedgetail Eagle nesting and breeding season. However, the project was successfully delivered on budget with a lasting impact on their business, staff and the local community.
PROJECT VALUE BETWEEN $2M AND $5M
Civilcraft | E.S. Marks Athletics Field Safety Upgrade | New South Wales
Civilcraft was engaged by Greater Sydney Parklands to finalise the design, and construct the safety upgrade to the historic E.S. Marks Athletics Field. Once the premier athletics facility in Sydney, the ageing venue was experiencing structural failings of the southern grandstand. It needed a new lease of life, and improved amenities.
The project involved the partial demolition of the grandstand and entry buildings to make way for a new 33-space carpark, on-site bus parking, architecturally designed ticket booth, and new ingress and egress routes. Construction amongst protected heritage trees required strict environmental controls, monitoring and design changes. The project was delivered to a high standard, providing an outstanding facility to benefit the community.
PROJECT VALUE BETWEEN $5M AND $10M
Ertech | Onslow Boating Precinct Stage 1A | Western Australia
Ertech’s scope of works included the dredging of 45,000 cubic metres of material to allow the construction of a rock wall revetment; two new boat ramps; and a floating pontoon holding jetty. Also included were a new stormwater drainage line, gross pollutant traps, sealed carpark and driveway, solar-powered street lighting, and associated road furniture.
Ertech’s alternative methodology involved a temporary earth bund, complete with dewatering systems, to protect the work area from the influence of tides. This allowed work to be performed up to 8 metres below high tide level, with most dredging and rock revetment works completed in dry conditions. The entire boat ramp construction was performed in the dry, hugely improving safety and efficiency.
PROJECT VALUE BETWEEN $10M AND $30M
Melbourne Water, John Holland-KBR Joint Venture, Interflow and Welltech Total Water Management | Epsom Main Sewer Rehabilitation | Victoria
Melbourne Water, John Holland-KBR Joint Venture, Interflow and Welltech Total Water Management delivered the high-risk rehabilitation of 1.6km of the Epsom Main Sewer. The project’s technical complexities were responded to by the team with an innovative, collaborative, and sustainable mindset. The project installed a bypass sewer network that surcharged flow upstream to minimise stakeholder impacts and designed and installed a mechanical plug to create a safer work environment.
They also winched the liner through previously lined sections to overcome off-set maintenance holes and responded to the extended 24 hour/7 day works due to unforeseen infiltration with a caring and people focus. The project was delivered on budget and time and met stakeholder commitments. The team ensured the experience of project impacts by community, businesses and stakeholders were minimised while the asset was upgraded for another 50 years of service.
PROJECT VALUE BETWEEN $30M AND $75M
BMD Constructions | Mt Crosby East Bank Water Treatment Plant Upgrade | Queensland
BMD Constructions was engaged by Seqwater as the principal contractor to deliver upgrade works at the Mt Crosby Water Treatment Plant in the western suburbs of Brisbane. The treatment plant is a critical asset for the safe delivery and supply of over 50% of the water produced by the utility provider for South-East Queensland.
The upgrades were critical to ensure the integrity of the water supply and compliance requirements for the next 25 years. Essential works included upgrading the ageing infrastructure’s filtration system, replacing the existing controller programme and moving all controls onto a new system. Given the project was undertaken in a fully operational water treatment plant, maintaining operations was key to the success of the project. Through careful project planning and innovation, BMD were able to deliver the project four months ahead of program with no interruptions to supply.
PROJECT VALUE BETWEEN $75M AND $150M
Seymour Whyte Constructions Pty Ltd | Pacific Motorway Upgrade Varsity Lakes to Burleigh (VL2B) | Queensland
Seymour Whyte – on behalf of the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads – delivered the Gold Coast’s first Diverging Diamond Interchange on the M1 Pacific Motorway’s Exit 87 to ease congestion and improve traffic flow. Within the overall six-lane motorway widening upgrade, the project also delivered a positive biodiversity legacy and optimised resources towards circular economy outcomes.
Seymour Whyte’s environmental ambition and decarbonisation strategy allowed the team to deliver Queensland’s first Infrastructure Sustainability rating on a construct-only contract. Seymour Whyte’s approach to ‘working in partnership’ with all project stakeholders was key in successfully delivering this project, injecting 98% of project value into the local economy, with 3.9% going to First Nations businesses. Seymour Whyte is recognised for outstanding achievements in developing safe, innovative solutions with a sustainability focus through project planning with minimal impacts on residents and commuters.
PROJECT VALUE GREATER THAN $150M
Fulton Hogan Construction Pty Ltd | Princes Highway Upgrade Albion Park Rail Bypass | New South Wales
Transport for NSW engaged Fulton Hogan to design and construct the Albion Park Rail bypass – the largest infrastructure project in the region’s history. The 9.8-kilometre Princes Motorway extension between Yallah and Oak Flats bypassed the town of Albion Park Rail. With improved travel times, it completes the ‘missing link’ for a high-quality road between Sydney and Bomaderry.
Despite significant rainfall, complex traffic staging over live roads and railway, working under a flight path, at-house noise mitigation treatments, soft soils, and a net import balance; the Project was delivered ahead of schedule and on budget. The known risks were one thing, but the unforeseen challenges of geotechnical movement, an existing water leak, deer, an unexploded ordnance and asbestos contamination. The team worked collaboratively to resolve all the issues and deliver several legacy environmental, safety, and community initiatives.