Two Shoalhaven City Council projects have been recognised at the 2022 Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA) Excellence Awards.
The prestigious awards recognise the most outstanding public works, engineering projects and professionals.
The 2022 ceremony was held on 10 March 2022 at Parliament House, Sydney.
Council was awarded the Environmental Enhancement Project, or Initiative, for its Glass Recycling Plant, and highly commended for the rebuild of the Toomboolombah Bridgefollowing the Currowan Fire – in the projects under $500,000 category.
Council had become increasingly concerned that a significant amount of glass collected in the kerbside recycling system was being lost due to contamination and ended up in landfill.
The Glass Recycling Plant is a ground-breaking project that solves the issue, recycling previously unrecyclable broken and dirty glass fragments.
Although there are other Australian glass processing facilities, this new facility uses a unique washing process required for recycling.
The replacement of the Toomboolomobah Bridge with a more sustainable concrete structure, in such a tight timeframe following the fires, is another project that was recognised at the Awards.
All of the earthworks and reconstruction of the Toomboolomobah Bridge were undertaken by local and regional New South Wales businesses.
Shoalhaven City Council Mayor, Amanda Findley, said she is delighted with these accolades.
“These awards highlight the innovation, expertise and dedication demonstrated by Council staff who go above and beyond in the delivery of infrastructure and services for our community,” Mayor Findley said.
“The importance of great infrastructure in the health and happiness of our community cannot be overestimated.
“A huge congratulations to everyone involved.”
Featured image: Toomoolomobah Bridge. Courtesy of InQuik Bridging Systems. Image courtesy of Shoalhaven Council.
