2010 Engineering Excellence Awards
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Contents Our Sponsors
inside front cover
President’s Message
2
Director’s Message
3
About The Awards
4
About Engineers Australia
5
Leaders Past and Present
6
2009 Winner’s Postcard
7
Message From The Chair
8
Meet The Judges
10
Winner - Engineering Excellence Award
12
Winner - Small Business Ventures & Projects
14
Winner - Structural Innovation
15
Highly Commended - Community Engagement and People’s Choice Award
16
Winner - President’s Award
17
Professional Engineer Of The Year
19
Young Professional Engineer Of The Year
20
Highly Commended - Young Professional Engineer
21
Project Entrants
23
Produced on behalf of:
Engineers Australia Northern Division 14 Shepherd Street DARWIN NT 0801 Ph: 08 8981 4137 Fax: 08 8941 3449 nt@engineersaustralia.org.au www.engineersaustralia.org.au
Artwork & Design by: Rural Business Guide Printed by: Hollands Print Solutions
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President’s Message Mr Len Chappell Northern Division President
It is again time to showcase some of the superb Northern Division projects in our annual Engineering Excellence Awards. The quality of all of the entries is a reflection of the high engineering standards which abound in Northern Division whilst the range of projects gives us a small glimpse of the diversity of engineering in the Territory. I attended the Excellence Awards Technical presentations recently held at Darwin City Council. I was impressed by all of the entrants and the ingenious methods used to overcome the many problems faced during the design and construction of the various projects. The awards night also publicly recognises members of the engineering team who have achieved significance in their profession in the People in Engineering Awards. I congratulate all of them. It is my privilege to nominate a project for the President’s Award. This award is granted to a project which has
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not won any of the main awards and which the President considers a worthy entrant. My choice for this award is the ‘Charles Darwin University Bachelor of Engineering Co-op’. We have all talked about the increasing shortage of engineers and the lack of high school students studying mathematics and science subjects. This innovative Coop Degree which has been forged between Charles Darwin University, The Department Construction and Infrastructure and local Industry will, I am sure, ensure that more students will enter engineering and will ensure that students will be well trained by the time they enter the workforce, hopefully staying to further their careers in the NT. I would like to thank all those involved in the Awards including, the judges, our divisional staff and our sponsors, all of whom make these awards such a success. Special thanks to all of the entrants and my congratulations to each of the winners.
Director’s Message Bronwyn Russell Division Director, Northern Division
This year we celebrate the Year of Engineering Leadership and it is easy to see how our local leaders are contributing to the Northern Territory as we visit the projects entered in this year’s awards.
Sponsors and supporters! Your continued contribution to Northern Division allows us to recognize excellence each year. This prestigious event would not be possible without you. Thank you once again.
The Northern Division engineering team works outside the south eastern corridor of Australia and is often faced with unusual challenges. Distance, weather and skills shortages all contribute to the development of many creative solutions to these problems. We continue to be reminded about how the practical application of science, that we call engineering, benefits the community whether it is to provide all weather access, or infrastructure that will perhaps enhance medical interventions and many other outcomes. We have been privileged to see some solutions this year that have international significance that hopefully will lead to greater opportunities.
A big thank you to staff and volunteers who make the Awards possible and all of the events we hold each year. I am fortunate to have such a team working with me. Karen, Keely and Melanie have all contributed significantly over the past few weeks and I thank them for all of the work they do and over that which they are required to.
Northern Division continues to be successful at the National level with Tom Maher winning the National Engineering Technologist award at last year’s event in the Great Hall, Parliament House, Canberra. I have no doubt that some of our winners this year will also be seriously considered for a national award.
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About the Awards Northern Division’s first Engineering Excellence Awards were held in 1982. These first awards were made two years after the Division achieved status as a Division and awards were made for the years of 1981 and 1982. The first Award in 1981 was presented to the “Bagot Road Fly Over” designed by GHD with the 1982 award going to the “Elevated Water Tower” in Palmerston. The Awards have grown in stature since this time with many interesting entrants over the years. The 2009 winners included Crowne Plaza Solar Array and Desert Knowledge Australia Solar Centre with the President’s and People’s Choice Award presented to the Works Section Afghanistan Mentoring and Construction Task Force.
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The Australian Engineering Excellence Awards acknowledge the world-class standing of Australian engineering and provides the engineering profession and its clients, industries and regulators, with an opportunity to demonstrate skills and achievements publicly. The projects in 2010 have been very diverse ranging from regional, suburban, inner city and extremely remote entrants. This year’s challenges included overcoming the weather, environmental issues and transportation logistics. Once again, the projects highlight the way Engineering affects our everyday lives.
About Engineers Australia Engineers Australia is a national, not-for-profit organisation of 90,000 members plus. It is the largest and most diverse professional body for engineers in this country. Through its connections to government, industry, academia, the media and the communities it ultimately serves, Engineers Australia exerts influence to raise the professional standing of its members; advance the profession for the benefit of all Australians; and protect and grow Australia’s engineering resource base in the service of the nation. Engineers Australia underpins the quality and credibility of engineers in Australia by accrediting tertiary engineering courses, managing national competency registers, and meeting its obligations to create and maintain standards accepted worldwide, via its
association with engineering bodies in other countries. It promotes its Chartered status as an internationally recognised symbol of quality and reliability in engineering. Diverse cohesiveness has always been one of Engineers Australia’s defining characteristics. It is strongly differentiated from many other engineering bodies throughout the world, which are typically based on particular disciplines or fields of engineering. In this way, Engineers Australia is among the few bodies in its category that can speak with authority on behalf of the entire engineering team - professional engineers, engineering technologists and associates, and engineering managers.
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Leaders Past & Present 2010 Year of Engineering Leadership Northern Division officially started in 1980 after members of the local group, which was attached to South Australia at the time, felt that the NT was being largely ignored. There was a belief that there were some very influential and successful engineers working in quite demanding circumstances and it was time to make us part of the rest of the organization. It is interesting that we have similar debate occurring now with regard to Statehood! As this is the Year of Engineering Leadership it is appropriate that we highlight our past and present leaders to you. We have included as many of our past Leaders as we can find photos of in this publication. I am sure you will have many memories of a lot of these people. There is a photo of our first leader, President Anne Freeman, making a presentation to Congress showing a map of Australia with the NT cut out of it. This was apparently enough to convince the governing body that Northern Division should exist. Originally it was called the NT Division but changed to Northern Division when it was decided to include members in Indonesia. Sadly we have no information about where Anne is now. Perhaps her name has changed so if anyone has this knowledge we would be glad to find her again.
Absent Photos:
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• • • • •
1981 1984 1986 1992 1994
: : : : :
Bob Morrison Keith Lange Brian Speedy Russell Board Paul Dewar
2009 Winners Postcard
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Message from the Chair Alan Grove Chair Of Judges
The projects submitted this year were of excellent standard and very diverse in nature. The judges had a difficult task in assessing the projects and much vigorous debate was had. All the projects were visited at which time the proponents had the opportunity to expand on their written submissions and answer probing questions from the judges. The proponents were invited to give a ten minute presentation in a plenary session to the judges and the general public. Those who attended where impressed by the standard. There were a number of categories and awards for the judges to consider. The most outstanding project was Water Reuse in Alice. This project combined a wide array of engineering and scientific studies to find a unique solution to disposing of the excess sewage treatment lagoon water, treating it and storing it in an underground aquifer for later re-use to the benefit of the horticultural industry. Many experts from a range of organisations combined to produce this project, a first for Australia and with international significance. Power and Water Corporation, Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport, Department of Resources and CSIRO were the project principals and are worthy winners of the Page 8
Northern Division Excellence Award for 2010. In the Small Business Ventures and Projects Category the judges found the submission from Framelock Structures Pty Ltd compelling. Colin West has developed a lightweight crowd control barrier system that is being recognised internationally as superior to any other system currently available and has been granted 26 Australian and World patents. The system has been developed with a variety of versatile attachments and the manufacture process has been developed from scratch and established in New Zealand. The judges agree that this project should be awarded an Engineering Excellence Award in this category. The judges further consider that two other projects are worthy of awards this year. The first of these is the Royal Darwin Hospital New Oncology Facility submitted as a joint entry by Wallbridge and Gilbert RFP, the structural designers and Halikos Pty Ltd, the builders of this Design and Construct project. Through the efforts of a dedicated team the construction of this project was achieved in half the normal time required for such facilities and incorporated some unique construction techniques to minimise the effects of the wet season and afford savings. The use of precast formwork and the use of fibre reinforced concrete,
Message from the Chair
a first for Darwin, were some of the features used to successfully complete the radiation concrete bunkers. These techniques, devised by the Darwin team look like setting the standard for future oncology bunker construction. The judges have recommended an Engineering Excellence award in the category of Structural Innovation to this worthy project. The second project deserving of recognition is the Talinguru Nyankunytjaku project at Uluru submitted by the designers, Sinclair Knight Merz and the constructors Macmahons. The works involved construction of 11 km of roadworks, 24,000 square metres of carpark paving and 4.5 km of watermain and storage facility to service the new viewing area, walking track and viewing shelters. SKM and Macmahon worked in close collaboration with the Traditional Owners, the Anangu Community, Parks Australia and Jackman Gooden Architects to deliver a culturally and environmentally sensitive project in a world heritage listed area. The judges were impressed how well the consultative processes were undertaken and the relationships developed with the local Anungu Community in achieving a notable fit-for-purpose asset in a highly restrictive environment. They have recommended a High Commendation Award in the category of Community Engagement.
The People’s Choice award followed a weeklong display of posters at Casuarina Shopping Centre where interested people were able to cast a vote for the project of their choice. This award was won by Talinguru Nyankuytjaku. The President’s Award this year has been won by Charles Darwin UniversityBachelor of Engineering (Co-op) submission. I would like to thank the nominees for the People in Engineering Awards. Nominations in some categories of these awards were not submitted as in previous years and I would encourage engineering establishments to put forward their valued employees for these awards in future. The judging panel had no hesitation in recommending the following awards to: • Ernie Wanka in category of Professional Engineer of the Year, • Dr Elisha Harris as Young Professional Engineer of the Year, and • Nathan Johns has been given a highly commended award in this category. I would like to thank Bronwyn Russell and Karen Relph for their hard work and organisational assistance to the judges. I also thank my fellow judges in the contribution of their time and expertise and their stimulating company during our numerous travels. Page 9
Meet The Judges Alan Grove MIEAust, CPEng Civil Engineer
Alan Grove graduated from UNSW with BE and M Eng Sc in 1965 and has worked in Darwin ever since. After three years with the Department of Works he worked in the private contracting business for 14 years building pipelines, sub divisions, highway construction, marine works and concrete constructions. As part of the Palmerston Development Authority he oversaw the start of construction of the City of Palmerston. Then, as Construction Manager for the Trade Development Zone Authority, he was responsible for the construction of this industrial zone at East Arm, and assisted manufacturers in the construction of their specialised factory requirements. During the last 10 years of his career, until his retirement in 2003, his main responsibilities were to the Department of Lands for their capital works programs and management of the private development of urban land throughout the Northern Territory.
SQNLDR Michael Kelly MIEAust, CPEng Electrical Engineer
Michael Kelly is an Electronic/ Communications Engineer who has called the NT home for 12 of the last 15 years. Michael graduated with a degree from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) in Electrical and Communications Engineering in 1986. Michael has spent 27 years working in the Royal Australian Air Force in a variety of jobs throughout Australia. Some of these jobs included Black Hawk and Iroquois electronic and mechanical maintenance, major and minor project management, integrated logistics support and contract management, communications planning, and Senior Maintenance Manager of electronic, communications and other equipment at a number of locations. Michael obtained his CPEng in 2006. Michael is currently working at 44 Wing Detachment Darwin at RAAF Base Darwin as the Senior Maintenance Manager with a staff of 30 who are responsible for the maintenance and repair of the radar, radio communications, and various antennas. Michael is married with a fifteen month old son and his family love the NT lifestyle and particularly the fishing.
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Meet The Judges Peter Hagan FIEAust CPEng Civil Engineer
Peter came to the Territory as a young civil engineer in the mid sixties. He worked on various projects around the Territory and was heavily involved in rehabilitation works in Darwin after Cyclone Tracy. Peter held senior positions in Public Works, Roads and Transport sectors of the NT Government prior to retirement in 2001. Since retirement Peter has served on the Northern Division Management Committee as a member and as President in 2008 and 2009. Peter chaired the judging panel for the Engineering Excellence Awards in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009 and is a judge again this year. Peter is a member of Congress and Engineers Australia’s National Committee on Transport Engineering.
Evelyn Robinson
Executive Director Dept Housing, Local Government & Regional Services
Evelyn holds the position of Executive Director Arnhem Region with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Regional Services. She joined the Department in 2008 and was responsible for overseeing the implementation of Local Government Reform in the Northern Territory. She is a member of the NT Legal Practitioner Disciplinary Tribunal; has been a Commissioner of the NT Grants Commission; Chairperson of the Jabiru Town Development Authority and a member of “Women in Local Government 50:50 Vision” National Steering Committee. Evelyn has in excess of twenty five years of management experience in both public and private sector and has authored publications relevant to business, economic and social development. She has guest lectured at Queensland and Griffith Universities on Social Consultancy and Large Scale Community Consultation Processes. Evelyn has served on Boards for national business councils, university and research foundations plus economic and industry associations. Prior to joining the Department her most recent roles were CEO of the Northern Territory Seafood Council and Executive Director NT Division, Property Council of Australia. Page 11
2010 Engineering Excellence Water Reuse in Alice Power & Water Corporation Northern Territory Government In February 2003 the Northern Territory’s Power and Water Corporation committed to funding an innovative project to make the best use of valuable water resources in Alice Springs. Working in conjunction with the Northern Territory Departments of Resources’, the Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport, as well as the CSIRO, the project “Water Reuse in the Alice” is now commissioned and working well. The project’s aims were to return Ilparpa Swamp, into which the Alice Springs Waste Stabilisation Ponds overflow, to a more natural state, by means of a scheme to re-use water and reduce overflows in the area. The project’s aims of ceasing dry weather overflows into Ilparpa swamp have been achieved, with
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Award Winner
treated effluent piped from the waste stabilisation ponds to the Arid Zone Research Institute. Here it is being further treated and stored, and when sufficient water is ‘banked’ will be used to irrigate crops according to which are most suitable for farming in the area. The construction of the six-kilometre pipeline to transfer the recycled water from the waste stabilisation ponds to the Arid Zone Research Institute, the treatment plant and the ponds to infiltrate treated water into an old paleo channel of the Todd River to provide a ‘bank’ of treated water has been completed. Research on the soil aquifer treatment system for the project was undertaken by the CSIRO and the Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport was the basis for the adoption of the underground storage water ‘banking’ scheme. The combination of no dry weather overflows and the rehabilitation works will see Ilparpa Swamp return to a more natural state. Weed growth will be reduced, which in turn will reduce the number of mosquitoes breeding in the area.
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Award Winner Small Business Ventures & Projects
Framelock Crowd Control Barrier System Framelock Structures Pty Ltd
Since hitting the market in 2006, orders for Framelock crowd control barriers have been sent to every state and territory in Australia. They have eclipsed the competition on price, safety, useability and appearance, putting the Northern Territory on the map as a centre for engineering excellence. After four years, annual sales and hire figures are closing in on the $1 million mark, which is a remarkable result for designer Colin West, who originally set out to simply fill a procurement/ technology gap in the NT. However, improvements he made to the basic crowd barrier design – such as modifying connections and components through the use of custom dies, and a general revamp of the look/feel – have seen the product embraced on a national scale.
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Inquiries are also coming in from overseas. To date, Framelock barriers have been purchased by Luna Park Sydney, the National Gallery of Victoria, the Australian Sports Commission, University of Newcastle, Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Burswood Entertainment Complex and the Adelaide City Council, as well as hire and event companies in all Australian states and territories. They have been used in a diverse range of situations including music festivals such as Womad, rock concerts, dance parties, Day on the Green events, NRL rugby grand finals and art shows. Designed and developed in Darwin, manufactured in New Zealand – Framelock Barriers are a product Australasia can be proud of.
Award Winner Structural Innovation
Royal Darwin Hospital Oncology Facility Wallbridge & Gilbert Halikos Pty Ltd
The recent installation of the Radiation Oncology facility known as the Alan Walker Cancer Care Centre at the Royal Darwin Hospital is the first of its kind in the Northern Territory.
project with a significant reduction in cost and materials. This resulted in savings to the taxpayer along with minimal environmental impact.
The $14.5 million project provides vital cancer treatment to patients who no longer have to travel interstate to receive radiation.
The facility will cater to the needs of approximately 400 cancer patients per year, and will provide patients with access to specialist radiation staff and Oncologists.
The Design and Construct project was awarded to Darwin Builders Halikos Pty Ltd in 2008.
The unit was officially opened by then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in January 2010.
By utilising fibre-reinforced concrete technology and an innovative precast concrete formwork system the team which included Darwin based Consulting Engineering company Wallbridge & Gilbert RFP were able to deliver the
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Highly Commended Award Community Engagement & People’s Choice Award Talinguru Nyakunytjaku Sinclair Knight Mertz (SKM) Macmahon Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) and Macmahon have demonstrated excellence in engineering design and construction as part of a team to deliver the civil and infrastructure works for a new high capacity, low impact viewing area, ‘Talinguru Nyakunytjaku’, in Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. The project has provided a new road to access several new viewing platforms and a walking track network, with spinifex thatched shade shelters modelled on wiltja, the traditional Anangu shelter. There are toilet facilities, solar powered wayfinder lighting, a performance area and a safe, large capacity parking area for cars and buses. SKM provided planning, design and documentation of the roads, car parking and water supply for the client, Parks Australia. Macmahon
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undertook construction of the civil works comprising 11 km of sealed roads and tie-ins to the existing road network, 24,000 square metres of paving in car parks and 4.5 km of water main with water storage facilities. SKM and Macmahon worked in close collaboration with the Traditional Owners, the Anangu community and Jackman Gooden Architects as well as the client to deliver a culturally and environmentally sensitive project in a world heritage listed area. Talinguru Nyakunytjaku is the largest item of infrastructure in the Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. More than 300,000 tourists visit the area each year, contributing an estimated $400 million to the Australian economy.
Award Winner President’s Award
Bachelor of Engineering (Co-Op) Charles Darwin University Northern Territory Government
This innovative scholarship program targeting high achievers aims to equip the Northern Territory with future engineers at a time of rapid industrial development. The Bachelor of Engineering (Co-op) is a collaborative initiative between the Northern Territory Government Department of Construction and Infrastructure (DCI) and Charles Darwin University (CDU) to address the shortage of professional engineers in the Northern Territory. The Co-op specifically targets high achieving high-school leavers and aims to produce highly qualified local graduates to enhance local engineering capacity and to ensure the Territory can maximise the benefits from its future development. The three-way partnership is backed up by scholarships and paid industry placements to ensure that graduates are job ready and also gives employers the opportunity to evaluate the suitability of students as future employees.
valued at $16,500 per year over the four and a half year course, for as many as 13 commencing students each year. Second year Engineering student Imogen Dixon said she discovered the engineering course on the CDU website and applied within the week. “Without the Co-op scholarship I wouldn’t be able to dedicate myself to study and would not be studying engineering in the Territory,” Ms Dixon said. “I have a placement with the DCI Construction Division and have loved every second. From the first day I was on the job doing real work and helping to solve engineering problems that you only see in the Territory.” Engineers Australia strongly endorsed the quality of the program by according full accreditation to the program in its first year of offering in 2009, well before the expected 2011.
Since its inception in 2008 the program has significantly increased the quantity and quality of students studying engineering at CDU, indicating that it has now become the place of choice to study for local students. As part of the program DCI has made substantial scholarships available, each Page 17
People In Engineering Ernie Wanka FIEAust, CPEng Professional Engineer of the Year
Ernie is a Fellow of Engineers Australia who graduated with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from the University of Queensland in 1974. He has worked as an engineer for over 35 years, with 30 of these years in the Northern Territory Public Service.
Ernie has been instrumental in facilitating the trial of Early Contractor Involvement model on the $110 million Tiger Brennan Diver Extension project and driving changes in maintenance and asset management to improve outcomes.
In his early years Ernie was involved in the design and construction management of roads, aerodromes and barge landings on many Aboriginal communities across the Territory and continues to build relationships with the Northern, Central, Tiwi Island and Anindilyakwa Land Councils.
Over the years he has nurtured a good working relationship with the main industry bodies such as the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association and Australia Trucking Association.
Of particular note is execution of the Deed of Agreement with the Central Land Council to construct the Mereenie Loop Road from Kings Canyon to Areyonga across the Haast Bluff Aboriginal Land Trust lands and work now being undertaken on social impact mapping with the Northern Land Council to put in place a management plan for the Central Arnhem Road. Ernie has held the position of Director of the Territory Road Network for 10 years, currently managing the 22,000 kms of the Northern Territory Road Network and nearly seven hundred other Transport Assets with a combined replacement value approaching $3.5 billion. The combined Northern Territory roads program and transport assets program for 2010-11 is $370 million.
Ernie is the NT representative on the Austroads Asset Task Force and on the Northern Alliance for Roads Associated with Indigenous Communities. As a part of the Alliance between the NT, WA and Qld, a joint funding submission to Infrastructure Australia was prepared for the upgrading of access roads to Aboriginal communities and for creating employment and training opportunities for Aboriginals. Ernie was a competent Rugby League player and coach. He played for Parramatta and went on to coach Darwin Rugby League A Grade and NT Rugby League Representative Teams. He was awarded the Australian Sports Medal in 2000, for Australian sporting achievement in relation to his services to Rugby League.
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People In Engineering Dr Elisha Harris MIEAust Young Professional Engineer of the Year
Elisha was born and educated in Townsville, Queensland. After graduating from Townsville State High School as Dux in 1994, Elisha enrolled in the Bachelor of Engineering degree at James Cook University. She originally intended to study Computer Systems or Electrical Engineering, but after completing first year she decided to pursue Civil Engineering. Elisha’s first exposure to ‘real world’ engineering came at the end of her second year when she completed 8 weeks of vacation employment at the North Queensland Electricity Board in the structural field. At the end of third year, she pursued structural engineering opportunities further, undertaking vacation work at McIntyre and Associates. By the end of her degree she was set on both leaving Townsville and pursuing structural engineering. In 1999, Elisha commenced her career as a Graduate Structural Engineer in the Building Structures Group of Arup in Brisbane. In November of that year, she was seconded to a project to the Sydney office. A combination of an interest in further postgraduate study and an enjoyment of her time in Sydney led her to explore options for research projects. Ultimately, Page 20
she chose to pursue an opportunity with the University of Sydney undertaking mainly experiment-based research on the sway stability of high rise storage rack structures. Elisha received her PhD in 2007 with her research. She continues to study a Bachelor of Laws Degree. At the same time she became involved in teaching through tutoring and running practical sessions for various engineering subjects. In July 2004 she was able to expand this experience by taking on a course co-ordinator and lecturing role for the third year steel design course and a co-lecturing role in the second year structural concepts course. In September 2002, whilst in Sydney, she met Chris whom she married in December 2004. They packed up and honeymooned their way up to Darwin on Chris’s suggestion. Elisha started work with Qantec McWilliam as a Structural Engineer and also lectured and tutored 3rd year Geomechanics at CDU. In April 2007 she commenced work as a Senior Structural Engineer at GHD and returned to work from maternity leave as the Service Group Manager for the Structures group.
Highly Commended Nathan Johns MIEAust Young Professional Engineer
Nathan grew up in country Victoria before undertaking a double degree in Chemical Engineering and Business Administration at RMIT University in Melbourne. His interest in chemical engineering was influenced both by his father’s career in the chemical industry and a deep curiosity at an early age of science and how things are made. Whilst at RMIT he was a student representative on the Chemical Engineering board and also participated in primary and secondary school visits conducting science shows to promote science and engineering in regional Victoria. He graduated with Honours in 2002 and was presented with a number of awards for academic achievement and leadership potential. Nathan started at BOC (part of Linde Group, which is one of the world’s leading industrial gas companies) as a graduate in 2003. His current role
is Production Manager at the Darwin Operations Centre which is BOC’s cylinder preparation and distribution site for the Northern Territory. Nathan’s interest in the promotion of engineering has continued into his professional career. Whilst living in Sydney he was involved in various engineering events such as judging School of Engineering challenges, being a guest speaker at engineering functions and also a presenter of cryogenic shows to school children. Since moving to Darwin he has volunteered at the Darwin Science and Engineering Challenge in 2009 and 2010. Nathan is married to Tracy and they have two children - Charlotte who is four and Hamish who is three years old. In his spare time he loves nothing better than spending time with his family, who he considers to be his greatest achievement.
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Project Entrants BOC Helium Plant Nilsen NT
Nilsen NT commenced work on the Electrical Installation of the BOC Helium Plant in March 2008 and completion was in November 2009. The BOC Darwin Helium Plant is the first Helium Plant in the Southern Hemisphere and the impact the Plant has on the NT and Australia is enormous. This has now confirmed the Territory as a major gas hub, ensuring Australia will now have a longterm interest in supplying one of the world’s rarest commodities to Asia and the Pacific. Up to 150million cubic feet of pure liquid Helium will be extracted, purified & liquefied from the Nitrogen Vent gas Stream from the Darwin LNG Plant Facility. The refined Helium will then be transported to storage facilities in Southern parts of Australia, before being shipped to Australian & overseas consumers. The Electrical works carried out by Nilsen included the supply and installation of Mains & Sub-mains Cabling, Control Cabling, 3.3Kv & 415Kv Transformers, Backup Diesel Generator, Motor Control Centre, Variable Frequency Drives, UPS, Power Factor Correction, Extensive Instrumentation & Instrumentation Tubing & Lightning Protection. We were also responsible for the Design of the 415V Main Switchboard.
the electrical design was still incomplete and much of the equipment was being manufactured overseas. We worked in close collaboration with BOC as design alterations were finalised and the equipment arrived. Nilsen handed over the installation in sections to BOC as precommissioning was completed, and BOC in turn completed the final calibration to suit the operative requirements and conditions. All OH&S responsibilities were fulfilled through the project, preventing any issues arising. The project was completed with no ‘Lost Time Injuries’, which is an important milestone for the company. Nilsen NT is proud to have been involved in a very significant project for Darwin, the NT & Australia. The BOC Helium Plant has reinforced Darwin’s growing reputation as a major gas hub of Australia, and Nilsen NT’s position of a quality Electrical Contractor within the Northern Territory region.
There were potentially two issues impacting on the delivery of the project. When work commenced,
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Project Entrants Victoria Highway Flood Plain Upgrade
HMAS Coonawarra Fuel Facility
Dept Construction & Infrastructure Steelcon Constructions
John Holland
Produced in partnership with: Dept of Construction and Infrastructure, Dept of Lands and Planning, and SKM
The HMAS Coonawarra Fuel Facility project was initiated by the Department of Defence to provide additional diesel fuel storage required for Navy patrol boats at Larrakeyah Barracks.
Overcoming the limitations posed by remote area construction, working in a threatened bird species’ habitat, and wet season delays, Steelcon Constructions has delivered a superior highway upgrade, two months ahead of schedule! Prior to the upgrade, the primary corridor that linked Katherine in the Northern Territory to Kununurra in Western Australia was closed for up to several weeks during the wet season due to severe flooding. Steelcon, contracted by the NT Government Department of Planning and Infrastructure on behalf of Road Network, constructed four highquality bridges, raised embankments at two lowlying sections of the Highway and strengthened and widened pavements. Pre-cast bridge beams were freighted from Darwin, a concrete batching plant was established on-site and materials were sourced locally where appropriate. The expectations of all stakeholders and the wider community were managed in line with environmental and sustainability obligations, and the project has significantly reduced disruptions to motorists during the wet season.
The project also aimed to improve environmental controls to existing facilities to further minimize the risk of fuel spills reaching adhacent Darwin harbour. Works encompassed the supply and installation of a new horizontal fuel storage tank with a useable capacity of 250kl, made from stainless steel (3161) welded construction complying with AS1692 and AS1940. Works also included all associated piping, vales and electrical instrumentation. Construction works were undertaken in an operational hazardous facility, sited on sold rock. The project was completed on time, within budget and with no Lost Time Injuries recorded. John Holland recommended a number of design amendments to civil works, to enhance the quality and longevity of the facilities delivered to the client. An Eco-Separator pit was installed to separate all hydrocarbons from stormwater going into the harbour. There was minimal disruption to Larrakeyah Base operations with existing fuel facilities remaining fully operational throughout the duration of the project. All materials and labour were hired from the Darwin area, including tank design and fabrication. This is a credit to the local industry. To prevent traffic delays and assist with manoeuvrability, John Holland organised for a jinker or rear steer trailer to deliver the fabricated fuel tank from Berrimah, to Larrakeyah Barracks. John Holland wishes to acknowledge and thank the following key local subcontractors involved in the project - LogiCamms, Universal Engineering NT Pty Ltd, Territory Instruments, Project Plumbing Contractors Pty Ltd, Global Construction and Resources Pty Ltd, and C&V Concretors (NT) Pty Ltd
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