Experts assess finalists for 2022 Australian Construction Achievement Award

The best of the best in the construction industry is on show through the pre-eminent industry award, the Australian Construction Achievement Award (ACAA). This year marks a 25-year history of the award.

In 2022, six projects have been selected as finalists for the Award. In one of the most intensive review processes, the expert panel of independent judges have assessed the finalists and agreed on the winner.

Read some of the judges’ remarks from the assessment process.

Woolgoolga to Ballina Pacific Highway Upgrade by Laing O’Rourke, WSP and Transport for NSW.

“This monumental undertaking, being one of the largest single Australian road projects in recent times, completes the duplication of the Pacific Motorway in NSW bringing with it significant road safety improvements to the traveling public and benefits to communities throughout its length.
There were numerous challenges to be overcome including difficult geotechnical conditions, several floods and bushfires and as well the Covid 19 pandemic.”

Sydney Metro City & Southwest Tunnel and Station Excavation Works, New South Wales by John Holland CPB Contractors Ghella Joint Venture.

“A truly remarkable undertaking excavating and lining 15.5km of twin rail tunnels between Chatswood and Sydenham in Sydney. The Project was extremely complex involving challenging logistical and geotechnical conditions delivering several Australian firsts such as the first rail tunnels under Sydney Harbour, the largest spanning rail caverns, operating five TBMs simultaneously, multiple high-rise demolitions and four CBD mined tunnel sites. The works achieved the highest ever ISC Infrastructure Sustainability rating.”

Quay Quarter Tower, Circular Quay, New South Wales by Multiplex Constructions.

“This highly complex project encompassed the existing 46-storey AMP Centre, of which two-thirds of the existing floor plate was able to be retained and adapted, with a design life extension of 50 years. Extending the building both horizontally and vertically, an additional 40,000 m2 of floor plate plus a new core was added and tied back into the existing building. The construction program was accelerated by 16 months through undertaking top-down demolition works concurrently with bottom-up construction extension works. The significant reuse of the existing building allowed for a carbon saving of 8,000 tonnes and a 6-star Green Star rating.”

Additional Works Package 1 – Cheltenham and Mentone Level Crossing Removal Project by Southern Program Alliance: Acciona, Coleman Rail, WSP, Metro Trains Melbourne and the Level Crossing Removal Project.

“This project removed three dangerous level crossings and built two new state-of-the-art stations with revitalised public spaces. The project team created a culture of continuous improvement that allowed them to leverage innovation to solve complex project delivery challenges. The team took this to the next level by sharing these innovations across multiple Victorian projects via the Virtual Innovation Market. The project team effectively engaged surrounding stakeholder groups while dealing with geotechnical and groundwater challenges, all during the pandemic. The social procurement exceeded the target by more than 50 per cent, and the team executed several workforce developments programs to upskill the workforce.”

Mordialloc Freeway, Victoria by McConnell Dowell, Decmil Group and Major Roads Project Victoria.

“This project encountered a highly challenging site in delivering the 9Km freeway project with its six bridges and several interchanges in the south- eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Asbestos contaminated ground and difficult geotechnical conditions resulted in a highly cooperative relationship with the client to develop and implement innovative solutions Major Roads Projects Victoria. Considerable focus was given to creating work opportunities for indigenous and disadvantaged members of the community and the efforts taken with developmental training programs are to be admired.”

The Regency Road to Pym Street Project by R2P Alliance: Department for Infrastructure and Transport, McConnell Dowell, Arup and Mott MacDonald.

“Under a D&C Contract R2P Alliance delivered a six lane 1.8km freeway along the South Road Corridor to the west of Adelaide’s CBD. This project was delivered four months ahead of schedule, through excellent planning and various initiatives such as 580 utilities diversions three months early to de-risk the schedule. A 14 per cent cost reduction was achieved through optimisation of the design, minimal rework, and early engagement with local subcontractors. Site safety and wellbeing, local participation, training and development, industrial relations management, development of a positive team culture with a diverse workforce, and community engagement were all delivered. This project was truly inspirational in its design and construction innovations.”

Projects cannot be built without the broader industry network – whether it be in the delivery of construction equipment, IT, construction materials, steel products, superannuation products for the industry’s employees, legal services or other – and iconic brands like Adbri, Caterpillar, Cbus, InEight and InfraBuild support this award because they too are part of the industry’s success stories.

Join us as we celebrate the fact that work of the construction industry is meaningful. Whether connecting communities, keeping them safe and sheltered or rebuilding after devastation, the construction industry matters in everyone’s lives.

Find out more at acaa.net.au