The Adelaide Desalination Plant project has won the international Project Management Institute’s (PMI) Project of the Year Award.
The award – announced in New Orleans – recognises the achievements of the project team for superior performance in project management.
The purpose of the PMI Awards is to honour organisations, companies, institutions, and agencies who set the standard for creating successful and innovative projects throughout the world.
Water Minister Ian Hunter says the award recognises the efforts of a dedicated team who delivered a complex and challenging project which has ensured South Australia’s water security.
“Adelaide’s desalination plant has a number of unique and innovative attributes, making it one of the world’s most technologically proficient and cost effective desalination plants,” he says.
“The SA Water project delivery team, the project’s contractors, and the wider workforce successfully delivered the largest water infrastructure project undertaken in this State.”
Project Director Milind Kumar says it’s an honour for the project to be internationally recognised.
“The success of this project belongs to every person who has contributed to it during the past five years,” says Mr Kumar.
“Building a desalination plant of this calibre and quality is no easy feat, and the leadership team, specialist advisers, and project contractors brought their passion, commitment, and focus to deliver a quality asset.
“The award especially recognises the project management approach and the ‘one team’ culture, which helped to deliver a very complex project within its original approved budget and 19 days ahead of schedule.
“We are proud that the project has received recognition from its peers, not only for its outstanding build quality and its environmental and sustainable features, but also for its focus on stakeholder engagement, and the collaborative delivery of the project’s objectives.
“We have delivered a reliable, sustainable, and secure water supply for all South Australians and this will ensure there’s enough water for future generations.”
In September, the Adelaide Desalination Project was also named the International Project Management Association (IPMA) Gold Winner for Project Excellence in Mega-Sized Projects.
Earlier this month, the desalination plant reached a significant milestone, with 50 billion litres (50 gigalitres) of desalinated water supplied to SA Water customers in metropolitan Adelaide.
