Two Western Australian water organisations have been recognised at the 2016 Australian Business Awards.
Water Corporation’s East Rockingham Wastewater Treatment Plant won the Project Management category and the Western Australia Department of Water won a Sustainability award and a Project Management award.
Water Corporation’s winning category recognises organisations that have achieved outstanding results through excellence in project management.
Water Corporation General Manager Assets Delivery Mark Leathersich said the East Rockingham Wastewater Treatment Plant project was an example of how an effective alliance could deliver tangible benefits.
“The East Rockingham Wastewater Treatment Plant was delivered in an alliance between Water Corporation and Task JV, a joint venture between Jacobs and CPB Contractors,” Mr Leathersich said.
“Constructing a major metropolitan wastewater treatment plant presents unique challenges – with safety, community engagement and environmental approvals all vital to the project’s success.
“The collaborative approach undertaken as part of our project management allowed us to identify issues and opportunities early in the process, to ensure the best outcome. This was the case from the design to the final commissioning of the plant.”
Mr Leathersich said the plant was delivered on time and under budget, attributing the achievement to the alliance’s collaborative approach.
The East Rockingham Wastewater Treatment Plant can treat up to 20 million litres of wastewater from households and businesses bounded by Naval Base to the north, Singleton to the south and Byford to the east will be treated at the plant each day.
By 2070, it is expected the plant will be expanded to treat up to 160 million litres of wastewater a day, which will service about 800,000 people and make it one of the largest wastewater treatment plants in Perth.
The Western Australia Department of Water’s two awards for Sustainability and Project Management were given to the department due to its technical expertise in managing West Australia’s inland waterways.
Department of Water Director General Mike Rowe said the Sustainability award, for the South West Index of River Condition, recognised the work achieved by the department and its predecessors in developing the tools and approaches to successfully manage the state’s rivers and estuaries.
“Assessment of the values, threats and condition of our waterways is a core element of the department’s function, and helps us determine the requirements to support our aquatic environments while regulating water use and managing the impacts of land use and climate,” Mr Rowe said.
“The South West Index of River Condition (SWIRC) provides us with an ecologically robust and accurate assessment protocol to determine and adapt best practice for sustainable management of waterways.”
The Project Management award recognised the Urban Waterways Renewal Project which is an example of how partnerships and good project management make real and long-lasting contributions to the Western Australian urban waterways.
“This project involves refurbishment of existing drainage lines into living streams to improve water quality in the Swan-Canning Riverpark, and involved a partnership with South East Regional Centre for Urban Landcare (SERCUL), Water Corporation, Swan River Trust, and the cities of Canning, Gosnells and Armadale,” Mr Rowe said.
“The Department of Water provides expertise, advice and technical guidance on issues influencing successful water management in urban and agricultural landscapes, advising on water resources, drainage, flood management, waterway protection and water services.
“This is a real community partnership, and one of the most significant urban water projects ever managed by the department and delivered by a community group and improves water resilience, sustainability and liveability in our cities and towns.”
