Council was recognised at the 2022 Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA) Excellence Awards at Parliament House on 10 March 2022.
The prestigious awards recognise the most outstanding public works engineering projects and professionals. Council was awarded the Environmental Enhancement Project, or Initiative, for the Glass Recycling Plant.
Council became 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 with 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.
Council was also highly commended for the rebuild of the Toomboolombah Bridge, following the Currowan Fire, in the projects under $500,000 category.
The replacement of the Toomboolomobah Bridge, in such a compressed timeframe, following the fires, with a more sustainable concrete structure, is just one of the significant achievements.
Council was the first to utilise this precast product and the contractor has now delivered in excess of 150 bridges across Australia.
All of the earthworks and reconstruction of the Toomboolombah Bridge were undertaken by local and regional NSW 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."
"The importance of great infrastructure in the health and happiness of our community cannot be overestimated."
"A huge congratulations to everyone involved," Mayor Findley said.
Photo credit: Toomoolomobah Bridge, InQuik Bridging Systems
