October 30, 2017
Two South Burnett Regional Council engineers have won awards for their work at this year’s Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia Excellence Awards held in Townsville this week.
Council’s Senior Engineer Frank Scheele won the President’s Award and newly appointed Infrastructure General Manager Aaron Meehan won the Young Engineer Award.
The awards recognise councils and individuals who have demonstrated best practice and innovation in public works projects across Queensland.
“Over the past couple of years, our Council’s engineers have been recognised at these awards,” South Burnett Mayor Keith Campbell said.
“It reinforces that our Council is supported by remarkable staff who go above and beyond in an effort to provide the best service for our community and region as a whole.”
Frank received his award for leading a 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.
Aaron received the Young Engineer Award in recognition of his work at Western Downs Regional Council.
He had successfully delivered that Council’s largest works programs for flood damage and resource works; implemented a reorganisation strategy to manage an economic downturn; and delivered a future fit Works Department to align within the Council’s level of service expectations and budget.
The awards were introduced in 2002 to recognise excellence in the delivery of projects that benefit Queensland communities.
The 2017 awards attracted a record number of nominations, with 55 projects and 11 individual nominations submitted from councils across Queensland.
Winners are selected by a judging panel of experienced public works professionals.
The winners of each award will be featured in the Institute’s quarterly e-journal Engineering for Public Works, and in the annual awards commemorative book.
Last year the South Burnett Regional Council won two IPWE awards for the Gordonbrook Water Treatment Plant upgrade and the new Kingaroy Wastewater Treatment Plant.
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