The region's top engineers and engineering projects have been named at the 2023 Engineers Australia Excellence Awards - People & Projects Newcastle, held at the Newcastle Club.
"The Engineers Australia Excellence Awards celebrate excellence in engineering and remind us of the enormous impact engineers have on our daily lives," said Helen Link, Engineers Australia GM Newcastle.
"This recognition gives them a platform to both highlight their groundbreaking work and advocate for the engineering profession, laying a foundation and inspiration for those coming after them. We are not just applauding their achievements, but also setting a standard and vision for the future of engineering."
Newcastle Project of the Year
Biological Leachate Remediation
ENV Solutions (ENV) T/A ENV Remediation Services and ENV Services
NSW Public Works - Department of Regional NSW After flood waters damaged Lismore's garbage dump and sewage plant, leading to 20 million litres of polluted water, the NSW Public Works team took charge to handle the repairs. They got help from ENV, a company skilled in environmental fixes, to produce a temporary way to clean this water. ENV used a method they called Biological Leachate Remediation (BLR). This method used a mix of techniques to clean the water, removing things like metals and harmful chemicals. ENV's approach was not only friendly to the environment but also cost-effective. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has suggested the method could be used in other places and for different water cleaning tasks.
Newcastle Professional Engineer of the Year
Dr Tanja Rosenqvist
Dr Tanja Rosenqvist has contributed an enormous amount to the engineering profession, community, and education sectors over her remarkable career. She is an advocate for a more human and planet-centred approach to engineering. Her work transforms and 'democratises' engineering - making engineering something everyone and everything (nature) can take part in. Dr Rosenqvist has spent almost a decade improving water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions in low-income countries which has had a profound impact in these affected communities.
Newcastle Emerging Professional Engineer of the Year Joe Townsend Joe Townsend has carved out an impressive engineering career, through his senior leadership roles with NSW Business Chamber and Australian Business, fuelled by passion and enthusiasm for the profession. He is committed to uplifting the engineering community and his hands-on approach is highlighted through pivotal roles in board and advisory capacities for Engineers Australia and several government organisations. As Townsend puts it, he envisions a future "where the engineering profession is increasingly influential, impactful, and held in high esteem by the broader community."
The Engineers Australia Excellence Awards Program seeks to recognise and reward outstanding achievement in engineering. Local winners will go on to represent their division at the national awards in Melbourne on November 29.
