The Northern Territory’s best engineering and infrastructure projects have been commended at the 2014 Engineers Australia Northern Division Engineering Excellence Awards.

As was the case in the Sydney, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland award divisions, the NT winners were chosen for their high quality engineering solutions to state infrastructure challenges.

Two notable projects from this year’s NT awards were the Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade from Power & Water Corporation and Hunter Water Australia Pty Ltd, and the US Force Posture Review Phase 2 which received the Engineering Excellence Award and Project Management award respectively.

“Entrants in both project and individual categories demonstrated a high level of knowledge, understanding, creativity and expertise to overcome the challenges they encountered to deliver sustainable solutions for all our future,” said Northern Division President, Mr Jaswant Deo.

“The judges considered the most outstanding project submitted in 2014 was the Ludmilla Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade, which received the 2014 Engineering Excellence Award for Engineers Australia Northern Division.

Above: Ludmilla Wastewater Treatment Plant, Minister with John Pudney (left) and the Odour control system(right). Images: Power Water

“This $25 million project, submitted by Power & Water Corporation and Hunter Water Australia Pty Ltd, forms the key component of an overall plan to augment the sewer services to the CBD of Darwin, enabling the closure of the Larrakeyah outfall and improving capacity and product quality.

“Taking only 17 weeks to design, manufacture and construct, the US Force Posture Review Phase 2, submitted by Sitzler Pty Ltd, was awarded an Engineering Excellence Award for Project Management. This multi-faceted project included 60 modular buildings and 535 metres of elevated walkways, constructed in several locations during Darwin’s wet season.

“The Category 4 cyclone rated SkyCity Beachside Pavilion and Venting System submitted by Framelock Structures Pty Ltd, received an Engineering Excellence Award for Small Business Ventures & Projects. The success of this temporary, relocatable structure has much to do with the venting system which allows unintended internal pressures to be automatically dissipated during cyclone events.

“In addition to these outstanding projects, Jo O’Brien, was awarded Young Professional Engineer of the Year for her work as a civil engineer specialising in stormwater.

“The entries for this year’s Northern Division Engineering Excellence Awards clearly demonstrate the critical role that engineering plays in shaping our society, community and economy,” said Deo.