PROJECTS OVER $20 MILLION NOMINEES

EXIT 57 INTERSECTION UPGRADE

RoadTek

Taking just under a year to be completed, this complex $25M project was delivered by RoadTek to improve travel times through the busiest interchange on the Gold Coast and enhance safety for road users through eliminating queued traffic on the M1. Requiring a multi-disciplinary approach, construction commenced quickly to meet delivery timeframes and included additional lanes, new U-turn facility, improved overhead signage and on-road directional marking. Traffic flow was improved by reducing the number of traffic movements, Next generation SWARCO signals integrated the four intersections (the largest SWARCO installation to date). These significant upgrades were made with minimal impact to the travelling public and no impact to the adjacent businesses during the delivery. Nil traffic incidents or traffic complaints were recorded. By working closely within TMR parameters, the team ensured the overall project scope was not reduced. Innovation was achieved using new, cost-effective construction methods for lean mix pavement and concrete bases, and deck wearing surface removal. A strong focus on managing client expectations (and working together) ensured project completion was achieved eight days early, and with a resulting customer satisfaction score of 4.58/5. Embedding a community liaison officer onsite meant the project delivered a seamless communication and engagement experience for the local community which resulted in identifying potential impacts early and giving timely notice. Only six community ‘complaints’ were recorded. This was an outstanding result given the high volume of traffic using the interchange, traffic impacts, night works and proximity of residents.

INDOOROOPILLY RIVERWALK

Brisbane City Council

The Indooroopilly Riverwalk provides almost 800m of high-quality Riverwalk that takes advantage of the outlook over the Brisbane River. The facility was specifically designed to provide a separated, two-way cycle and e-mobility area and separate pedestrian walkway to provide for a safe facility for all users to share. Brisbane City Council delivered this important and complex project approximately six months ahead of schedule in June 2021, improving accessibility and connectivity of the active transport network for the community whilst saving $4 million of ratepayer dollars. The project delivers a safe and accessible route from Twigg Street to the Jack Pesch Bridge in Indooroopilly, along with direct links to the local road network. The project also delivered three viewing platforms along the new elevated structure, allowing residents and visitors to take advantage of impressive views of the Brisbane River and the iconic Walter Taylor Bridge. The project delivered a critical part of Council’s bikeway corridor and enhances active transport from Brisbane’s south-west suburbs. The alignment improves the journey between the Western Freeway Bikeway, schools, public transport, the University of Queensland (UQ) at St Lucia and other key destinations by providing a safe and accessible, designated route for all users. This important connection is identified as part of the primary cycle route between the Western Freeway Bikeway and UQ, which is Brisbane’s largest trip generator outside of the CBD.

TOOWOOMBA REGIONAL COUNCIL PRINCIPAL DEPOT

Toowoomba Regional Council

In 2016, Toowoomba Regional Council embarked on a 4 year project delivery journey to develop its new $67M regional scale principal depot. The new depot replaces several aging facilities inherited through the 2008 amalgamation of eight local Councils, and is located on a 68Ha site in the emerging Charlton Wellcamp industrial precinct. The project was undertaken using Council’s Project Management Framework, and included a robust economic business case, and a major change management project with significant staff consultation to develop the concept design over 2½ years. The project engaged local architects Sims White, Struxi Design and Stephanie Keays, and local engineering consultants Brandon & Associates and Ashburner Francis. The new depot allows for the co-location of over 500 staff and is home to Council’s Construction & Maintenance teams, Water Infrastructure, Fleet & Logistics, Parks & Recreation, Property Services, Stores and Procurement, the safety team and the parks nursery, as well as a colocated SES facility. Sustainabilty is supported through a 200kW solar system and 400kW of battery storage for energy, as well as a 750kL rainwater tank for harvesting rainwater for irrigation and other non-potable uses. Council self-performed the site works and access road construction using internal day labour resources, moving 250,000m3 of earth and rock to construct the building platforms. The building works were undertaken by local Toowoomba builder McNab through a traditional design and construct contract that engaged the support of many local subcontractors and suppliers. Council’s new principal depot is a significant investment into the local economy providing modern workplace facilities.

CAIRNS ESPLANADE DINING PRECINCT

Cairns Regional Council

The new Cairns Esplanade Dining Precinct upgrades the most popular dining zone in the city. The upgrade incorporates Stage 3 of the “City Heart” project, the refurbishment and expansion of the Lagoon Plaza, and the revitalisation of the Esplanade Dining Precinct - almost a full City block. It features contemporary awnings that offer better weather protection, an extended dining area, modified and gently curving road alignment, inviting vertical gardens and grassed mounds, and extra footpaths to improve pedestrian connectivity. The design has an emphasis on pedestrian connectivity to the parklands, and the creation of a relaxed, green, tropical open space that reflects the true essence of Cairns. “Bare feet” friendly surface finishes, programmable feature lighting and all weather electrical connectivity have been included to allow the precinct to be easily transformed into a pedestrian-only space for major public events by the simple raising and lowering of removable bollards. Inovative features include a ‘wave lawn’ and a vertical garden integrated into the dining and tropical CBD liveability experience. At the recent soft opening Member for Cairns Michael Healy and Mayor Bob Manning cristened the green wall with water pistols. “We want this project to be a driver of rejuvenation of the CBD precinct,” Cr Manning said. “We need more tourists walking our streets, which is why we committed to this project , to make the CBD a more attractive place to visit.”

QUILPIE SHIRE COUNCIL 202 DRFA PROJECT

Quilpie Shire Council / Proterra Group

Proterra Group were engaged by Quilpie Shire Council to scope and deliver their most recent DRFA Flood Restoration event. Council has utilised Proterra for over 10 years now to manage these initially NDRRA and now DRFA events, and they have successfully delivered over $100M in approved value submissions for QSC. Council has chosen to utilise consultants due to lack of in house resources or recent experience in DRFA Event Management. Quilpie is quite a remote Shire and requires a unique set of skills and experience to work efficiently and effectively. To deliver the project successfully it was essential that works were delivered using local Contractors and Council Crews to not only bring the infrastructure back to pre-event levels, but maximise the economic gains for the local community who had experienced years of drought. Council requested Proterra Group to assemble a Project Team inclusive of Project Manager, Site Inspectors and Contract Administrator to deliver the works with a total approved value of $36M. (NOTE: The total project was delivered for approximately $20M, well below budget). Over the course of the project Council were able to liaise successfully with Proterra Group and local suppliers and subcontractors to build 100% Local teams to deliver the works. This ended up being a combination of Council works crews, and full contract works crews. The project was delivered successfully on time and in budget with a lot of learnings and local capacity building along the way.

Image supplied by Tourism Tropical North Queensland