An award-winning effort
2009
Wauchope Water Treatment Plant wins NSW Engineering Excellence Award and honoured for sustainable design
The Wauchope Water Treatment Plant has been named the winner of a prestigious award for engineering at the 2009 Engineers Australia Engineering Excellence Awards (May).
The facility also won the GHD Engineers Award for Innovation in Sustainable Engineering Excellence that recognises projects including new technologies and ideas leading to innovative solutions in the delivery of sustainable outcomes for both the community and environment.
This is the second time Council has been successful in winning the special Innovation in Sustainable Engineering Excellence Award with the Port Macquarie Reclaimed Water Supply Scheme Project taking the honours in 2007.
The project will now proceed as a finalist to the National Engineering Excellence Awards, which will be announced later this year by the Prime Minister at a ceremony to be held at Parliament House.
The Engineers Australia Newcastle Division group represents over 3500 engineers covering all disciplines of engineering, in northern NSW, north from the Hawkesbury River to the Queensland border.
The Wauchope Water Treatment Plant is a $25 million investment by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council to improve the drinking water quality for all consumers and to better achieve the quality standards set by the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
Water Supply Manager Murray Thompson, who accepted the award on behalf of Council, said the facility represents some of the best water treatment technology in the world.
"This facility, together with the award-wining Three Villages Water Treatment Plants at Comboyne, Long Flat and Telegraph Point all form part of Council's long-term strategic approach to the improvement of drinking water quality for all consumers across the Hastings. This project initially commenced in 1996 and has been developed in close consultation with the local communities," Mr Thompson said.
"This strategic approach has been developed to meet current and anticipated future drinking water guidelines; effectively deal with emerging drinking water quality issues; cater for future development of the water supply scheme, incorporate provision for anticipated climate change impacts and be sustainable and appropriate for the local community and the environment.
"The Wauchope Water Treatment Plant is an important addition to Council's $120 million water supply network. It is the facility that ensures our water supply remains of high quality and it continually operates in a way that is sensitive to the changing environment within the Hastings River.
"Water and the way we use it will always be an issues we'll need to carefully address. The network we have established in the Hastings has evolved as a result of strategic forward-planning and an eagerness to embrace new and appropriate technologies."
The Wauchope Water Treatment Plant filters the drinking water for the Wauchope water supply scheme, west of Port Macquarie, which includes the Wauchope, Beechwood, King Creek and Sancrox areas. Water conditioning facilities within the plant also help to increase the alkalinity and stabilise the pH of all water pumped from the Hastings River at Koree Island, before it is stored in the Port Macquarie and Cowarra off-creek storage dams.
The site at Quarry Road includes a treatment plant building, a five megalitre clear water reservoir, a clear water pumping station and educational facilities to further enhance Council's WaterWise education and community awareness programs.
The filtration plant has a daily water treatment capacity of six megalitres, with the ability for future upgrade to 18 megalitres per day. The water conditioning facilities are able to treat 120 megalitres per day.
The facility was also highly commended in the IPWEA NSW Excellence Awards and Australian Water Association Awards 2009.
Water Engineering Australia July 2009 Cover Story.pdf (1004KB)
2008
Waterwise gardens win Keep Australia Beautiful award 
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has been named the winner of a Keep Australia Beautiful award for its three Waterwise Garden Projects completed in partnership with Rotary.
The project was lauded by the judges in the Keep Australia Beautiful - Sustainable Garden Challenge, which aims to highlight the achievements of individuals, community groups, schools and councils who design and maintain gardens that are not only attractive but also address the important issue of sustainability.
Council was named winner of the Mid North Coast category and will be presented with its award by Challenge partners Raine and Horne.
Water supply manager Murray Thompson said the win is recognition of the efforts of local Rotarians and nurseries who donated their time and resources with the support of Council, to construct community gardens that promote the water conservation message.
This project has been developed in partnership with Council, the six Rotary Clubs of the Port Macquarie and Hastings area and with the technical assistance of local nurseries - Lincoln Greenery, William Street Nursery, Greenbourne Nursery and Bonny Hills Garden Centre
The project aimed to design and create a series of waterwise gardens that can be incorporated as a feature of the Port Macquarie Reclaimed Water Treatment Plant and also provide a model for community education, including tools such as water meters and soil moisture probes to monitor water usage and maintenance costs.
The Rotary clubs received funding from The Rotary Foundation to purchase the plants and provide voluntary labour on the project and local nurseries were approached to assist with the design of the four water efficient gardens at the reclaimed water treatment plant.
"One drop" demonstration gardens were also constructed in Rotary Park (Sister City Park) in Wauchope and in the "Presidents' Walk" in Laurieton.
The gardens are based on the '3 drop' concept design based on Council's Waterwise Garden Book.
The gardens include a range of garden plants categorised into three groups according to water needs:
- One drop plants - The most efficient water users, which only need occasional watering over summer perhaps once every two weeks or longer.
- Two drop plants - Less efficient but still reasonably tough, which need to be watered every 3 to 7 days in summer.
- Three drop plants - Which use a lot of water and need to be watered every 1 to 2 days.
- The fourth garden is a 'hybrid' garden incorporating an overall planting of the 3 groupings - watering will vary within the garden.
They also demonstrate aesthetically appealing one drop garden designs using readily obtainable 'everyday' plants that can be incorporated and maintained by the average family, and encourage efficient watering and well planned gardens that can cope with our climate.
The gardens provide appropriate signage, created by local artist Gloria Hill, to assist with the interpretation of the waterwise garden designs and planning.
2007
Reclaimed Water Treatment Plant Awarded for Sustainable Design
The Port Macquarie Reclaimed Water Treatment Plant has won its third State award for design and innovation.
The state-of-the-art water reclamation facility was named the winner of the 2007 Engineers Australia Newcastle Division's GHD Award for Innovation in Sustainable Engineering Excellence.
Water supply manager Murray Thompson proudly accepted the award on behalf of Council at a presentation dinner in Newcastle on Friday night.
This award achieves a trifecta of honours for the $15 million plant which will convert one megalitre of treated effluent a day into reclaimed water for use on local sporting fields and outdoor commercial purposes.
The plant will reduce the amount of treated sewerage currently pumped into local waterways by up to 15 per cent.
The building has also been designed as an education facility to accommodate community tours and was built with a best practice water and energy efficiency perspective. The site has been surrounded by demonstration water efficient gardens, constructed by the community, and features on-site rainwater collection tanks for grounds watering and toilet flushing.
"This facility is an outstanding example of Council's holistic approach to future water management and the united effort of several departments to ensure our region has a more drought-secure future," Mr Thompson said.
In the future, all new residential developments in the Hastings will be fitted with a second set of water lines to deliver reclaimed water for specific uses within the home. This places Council at the forefront of reclaimed water technology and delivery.
"Council has an excellent team of staff who have contributed not only to the successful completion of the Port Macquarie Reclaimed Water Treatment Project, but also in all aspects of the various water supply activities undertaken by Council.
"A large number of our successful projects and operational activities have been assisted by a variety of specialist consultants and engineering firms, who share our vision of service to our customers and the environment through solution development."
The Reclaimed Water Plant project has also received the 2007 NSW IPWEA Excellence Award for Innovation in Water Supply and Wastewater and the 2007 Australia Water Association NSW Branch Water Merit Environment Award.
Council's Water Supply Manager Named Engineer of the Year
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's water supply manager Murray Thompson has been named Australia's top water engineer.
Mr Thompson was awarded the National Local Government Engineering Medal for the Local Government Engineer of the Year from the Institution of Public Works Engineers Australia (IPWEA) and Engineers Australia at the Cairns International Public Works Conference.
The award was presented based on Mr Thompson's outstanding leadership in expanding Council's water supply network and particularly his contribution to the development of the Hastings District Water Supply Augmentation Scheme.
His expertise has been integral in the delivery of over $120 million worth of capital works in the past 10 years including the design and construction of Cowarra Off-Creek Storage Dam, Koree Island # 3 Pumping Station, the Three Villages Water Treatment Plant Project (for Telegraph Point, Comboyne and Long Flat), the Wauchope Water Treatment Plant and the Port Macquarie Reclaimed Water Treatment Plant.
Mr Thompson's approach to water management has seen Council recognised in the top 10 performing NSW Local Government Water Utilities for the past two years.
Water supply manager in running for nation's Best Engineer Award
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's water supply manager Murray Thompson has been named New South Wales' top engineer by the industry's leading organisation, the Institution of Public Works Engineers Australia (IPWEA).
The award, made every second year, was presented by the Institute of Engineers Australia and aims to recognise excellence in local government engineering.
Council nominated Mr Thompson for the award based on his outstanding leadership in expanding Council's water supply network and particularly his contribution to the development of the Hastings District Water Supply Augmentation Scheme.
His expertise has been integral in the delivery of over $120 million worth of capital works in the past 10 years including the design and construction of Cowarra Off-Creek Storage Dam, Koree Island # 3 Pumping Station, the Three Villages Water Treatment Plant Project (for Telegraph Point, Comboyne and Long Flat), the Wauchope Water Treatment Plant and the Port Macquarie Reclaimed Water Treatment Plant.
Mr Thompson's approach to water management has seen Council recognised in the top 10 performing NSW Local Government Water Utilities for the past two years.
Major water supply projects under his leadership have been recognised for excellence at regional, state and national levels for planning, engineering, construction, environmental protection, process automation and control and cultural development.
Mr Thompson has been an employee of Council for the past 28 years having started as a cadet engineer. He holds a Civil Engineering degree, a Graduate Diploma in Electrical Engineering, a Graduate Diploma in Local Government Engineering and a Masters in Engineering Management.
Having won the NSW Award Mr Thompson is now in the running for the prestigious 2007 National Local Government Engineering Medal, to be announced at the IPWEA Cairns International Public Works Conference at the end of the month.
Adding to his string of accolades, Mr Thompson was also named the winner of the Australian Water Association's NSW Branch Roger Pettit Award.
He was presented the award at the AWA's NSW Branch Annual Awards dinner in Sydney.
"It would not have been possible for me to be nominated for this award without the help and assistance of our staff," he said.
"It is a great privilege to have been selected to receive this award and I think that it reflects very well upon all of us in Council's water supply division. In any organisation we can only be truly effective and successful if we work as part of a team."
Reclaimed Water treatment Plant wins State Environment Award
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's state-of-the-art Reclaimed Water Supply Scheme has been named the winner of the Australian Water Association's 2007 Water Environment Merit Award.
The award was presented to Mayor Rob Drew, sewerage manager Jeff Sharp and water supply manager Murray Thompson at the AWA NSW Branch Annual Awards in Sydney.
The Water Environment Award is presented by the NSW AWA branch each year, to a corporate member that has made a significant contribution, or has been responsible for a major project of benefit to the water industry, community or environment.
On receiving the award, water supply manager Murray Thompson said the accolade was recognition of more than a decade of planning and consultation to develop an alternative water supply for the Hastings region.
"The successful completion of the Reclaimed Water Supply Scheme would not have been possible without the huge input and commitment provided by water supply staff members and a large team of specialist consultants and contractors over the past 10 years," Mr Thompson said.
The $13.5 million Port Macquarie Reclaimed Water Scheme will supply Council and commercial premises with an alternative water source that is reliable and drought secure.
Reclaimed water will be used to irrigate Council parks and gardens, nurseries, bowling greens, in wash-down areas, for washing cars, flushing toilets and construction applications.
It will reduce the amount of treated effluent that is currently discharged into local waterways by 15 percent.
The treatment plant facility consists of a visitor information and educational facility, refurbished storage reservoir, a reticulation network and sporting fields irrigation system that extends throughout the inner urban area of Port Macquarie separate to the town water supply.
As the winner of the NSW Water Environment Merit Award, Council is now a nominee for the national award to be presented at the Enviro 2008 Convention and Exhibition in Melbourne.
Reclaimed Water Treatment Plant Wins State Excellence Award
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's reclaimed water treatment plant has set the benchmark in water reclamation technology and in doing so, has earned one of the state's top engineering excellence awards.
Council was awarded the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia (IPWEA) 2007 NSW Excellence Award for Innovation in Water Supply and Wastewater for its $12 million Reclaimed Water Treatment Plant in Hindman Street.
Judges lauded the project for its use of integrated technology and the involvement of Government and specialist partners during planning and construction.
It was named a worthy winner for innovation with recognition focusing on the plant's sophisticated microfiltration technology.
Special mention was made of Council's committed effort to involve and inform the community by installing a public viewing area inside the plant and the development of a comprehensive reference manual on the water cycle and water treatment for primary and secondary school students in the Hastings.
Water supply manager Murray Thompson and projects engineer Stuart Brook accepted the award on behalf of Council.
"This is a fantastic result, particularly the Water and Natural Resources Division, as this is one of the first integrated water cycle management projects undertaken by Council that combines water, sewerage and stormwater outcomes," Mr Thompson said.
"It is anticipated that the knowledge, experience and skills gained from this project will greatly assist in the development of reclaimed water systems for the proposed new urban residential releases at Areas 13 (Thrumster), 14 (Lake Cathie/Bonny Hills) and 15 (Camden Haven).
"It will also provide the region with an alternative water supply that will enable us to maintain our sporting fields year round even in the event of extended dry spells and drought.
"The plant will also become a focal point of Council's ongoing water cycle management community education activities, WaterWise garden displays, Water Sensitive Urban Design principles and practices and informing the wider community on the safe use of reclaimed water for a variety of purposes."
The old Morton Street reservoir has been rehabilitated to store and distribute reclaimed water along 13.5 kilometres of new 'light purple' pipeline to open space areas and sporting fields, industrial sites, car yards for car washing, marinas, for toilet flushing in caravan parks, clubs and residential buildings.
The Hindman Street site has also been designed to contain and reuse stormwater with the installation of three 'demonstration' gardens showcasing the effective use of drought-tolerant plants.
The network will be further extended when all homes constructed within Council's three new urban residential releases are linked to a dual reticulation system, featuring a network linked to a green water meter for drinking and a separate reclaimed water network for outdoor watering, laundry and toilet flushing.
2006
Water Treatment Technology Wins Top Honours at Industry Awards
Port Macquarie Hastings Council's micro-filtration plants at three rural villages took out the Engineering Excellence Award for Innovation in Water Supply and Wastewater at the 2006 Local Government Awards.
Council's entry for this award, titled 'Three Villages Water Micro-filtration Plants', outlined the successful community consultation, investigation, design and construction of the Comboyne, Long Flat and Telegraph Point water treatment plants.
Council was also successful in winning the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia (IPWEA's) NSW Engineering Excellence Awards Innovation in Water Supply & Wastewater, for the same project.
Each rural village now has its own state-of-the-art water micro-filtration plant that utilises submerged technology to greatly improve drinking water to areas that have traditionally encountered fluctuating water quality because of variable river flows. The facilities can now provide a reliable water supply to residents even during times of poor river water quality.
2005
PACE Zenith National Award - Koree #3 Pump Station
The environmentally-friendly computer control and monitoring system that constantly watches over the Hastings River and the local water supply pumping stations has been recognised nationally.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's Koree #3 Pumping Station's Programmable Logic Control (PLC) project won a prestigious PACE Zentih Award.
The entry also won the Siemens sponsored Water and Waste Water category, against other finalists including both Sydney and Melbourne Water.
Water supply manager Murray Thompson said it was a 'sensational feat' for Council to be honoured above some of Australia's largest companies. The industrial awards recognise excellence in innovation in process control and engineering (PACE).
"It was enough of an achievement for Council's entry just to be named with companies like Sydney Water and BHP Billiton, let alone to emerge on top by having the best PACE project in Australia," Mr Thompson said.
The Koree 3 Pumping Station is located on the Hastings River west of Port Macquarie. The PLC is a smart computer system that is programmed to consider a wide range of complex parameters before deciding whether or not to pump water from the Hastings River.
These parameters include pumping license conditions, water quality, river levels and environmental flows, which are all required to protect the unique river environment and aquatic habitat.
The system uses vertically orientated pumps which ensure maximum energy efficiency and specially designed inlet screens to control suction impacts on the aquatic environment.
It includes several state-of-the-art water quality and river flow monitoring stations, which are located at the Koree Island pumping station site.
Winning the PACE Zenith National Award is an outstanding achievement for the large number of Council staff, specialist consultants and contractors who have been working together on the project.
2005
Cowarra Dam Public Art Project a Statewide Example of Cultural Excellence
The Local Government Association of New South Wales has highlighted the Cowarra Dam Public Art Project as an example of the outstanding contributions that local governments are making to cultural life in NSW.
The Cowarra Dam Public Art Project was one of 68 entries from across NSW to win the prestigious 2005 Cultural Awards, run by the Local Government Association.
Mayor Rob Drew believes the project has been a great success in building a firm partnership between Council and the Bunyah Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC).
"The aim of the project was to create a magnificent public art display that would reflect the dam site's aboriginal heritage, its natural values and the importance of water to all," Cr Drew said.
"In reality, the project built great friendships and the resulting artworks have created a real sense of community ownership of Cowarra Dam.
"It is a great tribute to everyone involved from Bunyah LALC, Port Macquarie Hastings Council, WaterWise and Wauchope TAFE that the project has been recognised in these state cultural awards.
"Regardless of the awards' outcome, the people of the Hastings and our visitors are the ultimate winners as we can enjoy the artworks out at the dam all year round."
2004
Hastings River Pump Station a Double Winner
Port Macquarie Hastings Council's environmentally sustainable approach to pumping river water was recognised in two prestigious awards.
The Koree#3 Pumping Station won the Engineers Australia Newcastle Division's Engineering Excellence Award and the Australian Water Association's NSW Water Environment Merit Award.
Mayor Rob Drew said the double win rewards the environmentally sustainable approach Port Macquarie Hastings Council is taking towards ensuring a secure water supply for its rapidly growing population.
"The Koree #3 Pumping Station will enable us to pump larger volumes when the river has plenty of water to fill the new 10,000 million litre Cowarra Dam," Cr Drew said.
"The pumps will be turned off when the river does not have minimum environmental flows needed to protect the platypus, aquatic plants and fish passage."
The Koree #3 Pumping Station is situated on the Hastings River west of Port Macquarie. It impressed the judges because the health of the river was of paramount importance in all aspects of planning.
Unique features of the Pumping Station include a state-of-the-art automated programmable logic control system, which incorporates minimum environmental flow criteria.
The use of vertically orientated pumps ensures maximum energy efficiency and specially designed inlet screens control the suction impacts on the aquatic environment.
"The overall system will supply the needs of the rapidly growing Hastings community while preserving minimum environmental flows that ensure the health of the river is maintained," water supply manager Murray Thompson said.
2004
Hastings Competes With Nation's Best at Canberra
Port Macquarie Hastings Council was a finalist in the Australian Engineering Excellence Awards (AEEA) in Canberra.
Council's environmentally friendly Koree #3 Pumping Station was featured as a finalist in the national competition.
Mr Thompson said the awards were the highlight of the engineering calendar and showcased the finest engineering the Australian industry has to offer.
Finalists in the annual Australian Engineering Excellence Awards become members of the prestigious Australian Engineering Achievers Group (AEAG). These companies are recognised as leaders in the industry, showing world-class expertise and innovation in developing and implementing engineering solutions.
The pumping station uses state-of-the-art monitoring technology to protect the health of the Hastings River and its biodiversity.
2003
Regional Engineering Award for Cowarra Dam
The Cowarra Off-Creek Storage Dam was been named winner of a new regional engineering excellence award, described by the judges as a 'fine example of a valuable contribution to the region'.
The Newcastle Division of Engineers Australia recognises a range of engineering projects in its annual Engineering Excellence Awards, and in 2003 the judging panel decided a special award be made for Engineering in Regional Communities.
Chairman of the judging panel Clive Cooper said this award aims to recognise the contributions of engineers working in regional areas.
"To receive this award, the project or activity should demonstrate how engineers have by imagination and sound practice, provided clear benefits to the economy, environment, resource development or lifestyle of a particular community," he said.
"The judges decided that the Port Macquarie Hastings Council project was a fine example of a valuable contribution to the region."
Mayor Wayne Richards acknowledged Council's pride in the project and the successful on-going community consultation, which was a major feature of the investigation, planning and construction stages of the new water supply scheme.
Councillor Richards also acknowledged the dedicated efforts of the project team.
"The co-operative team approach, together with a strong focus on environmental issues and a number of innovative solutions, provided Council and the local community with a sustainable water supply scheme," he said.
The project team included Council staff, project managers the NSW Department of Commerce; funding partner the Department of Energy and Utilities; Bunyah Local Aboriginal Land Council; principal construction contractor Cooks Constructions and Haire Civil Constructions.
The Cowarra Dam Project also recently received an Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia excellence award.
2002
Cowarra Dam Project Finalist in Case EARTH Awards
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's entry in the 2002 Case EARTH Awards for the Cowarra Off-Creek Storage Dam project was successful as one of two finalists in Category Three (projects over $10 million).
The Case EARTH Awards have the specific aim of recognising and rewarding organisations that achieve best practice and innovation in the field of environmental management of civil construction and related projects.
The detailed entry prepared by Council staff including video footage was showcased at the presentation dinner. Council received a Certificate Award to acknowledge its achievement as a finalist.
This achievement is considered to be further recognition of the innovative environmental management initiatives implemented for the Cowarra Off-Creek Storage Dam, which have been demonstrated throughout the construction works.
In addition, the future operation of the Cowarra Dam and appropriate harvesting of water from the Hastings River will provide a sustainable long-term water supply scheme, while protecting environmental river flows and the river's aquatic habitat.
