The awards presented included: New Installation Project of the Year; Rehabilitation Project of the Year; New Technology; ASTT Young Person of the Year; and ASTT Person of the Year.
New Installation Project of the Year: Pipeline Drillers and Unitywater
The New Installation Project of the Year Award recognises innovation, advancements in technology, environmental benefits and occupational health and safety benefits in new installation projects.
Trenchless contractor Pipeline Drillers Group and Unitywater received this award for the Caloundra Sewerage Transport System project by pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved with horizontal directional drilling (HDD) in challenging geologies, difficult alignments and highly populated areas.
Rehabilitation Project of the Year: Interflow and City of Gold Coast
The Rehabilitation Project of the Year Award was awarded to Interflow and City of Gold Coast for the innovation and technological advancements for the emergency Eastern Force Main Rehabilitation, an approximately 18 km long main conveying sewage from 200,000 people.
City of Gold Coast and Interflow were able to procure materials, complete all enabling and close out activities and successfully install the liner into the rising main in less than three days, as well as placing the main back into service within two weeks of its initial failure.
New Technology Award: Herrenknecht
The New Technology Award recognises the practical development of trenchless systems or equipment and was awarded to Herrenknecht for its Direct Pipe® technology, which was introduced in New Zealand for a wastewater pipeline and ocean outfall project.
The project demonstrated that the Direct Pipe® method is a safer and reduced risk option compared to conventional HDD methods, and additionally achieved the world record for the longest Direct Pipe® installation of 1,929 m.
ASTT Young Person of the Year: Jeroen Wassenaar and Punam Halai
This award recognises the important role younger members (aged 36 or under) of the Australasian trenchless community play in the growth of the industry and this year was jointly awarded to Qenos Market Segment Manager Jeroen Wassenaar and AECOM New Zealand Principal Civil Engineer Punam Halai.
Jeroen Wassenaar
Mr Wassenaar received the award for his expert technical pipeline knowledge combined with a strong understanding of HDD, which has assisted in convincing many asset owners and design engineers to use trenchless technology for their infrastructure installation projects.
The trenchless sector has been positively influenced and supported by the vital role that Mr Wassenaar plays in allowing the Australasia industry to recognise the benefits of trenchless technology.
Punam Halai
Ms Halai received the award for her outstanding contributions to the design and execution of major trenchless projects, such as the Tauranga City Council Trunk Watermain project, the Memorial Park to Chapel St Rising Main Renewal and numerous outfall projects.
Ms Halai is a regular attendee at ASTT forums and Water NZ conferences, as well as co-presenting a sliplining and grouting paper at No Dig Down Under 2019, and has been a positive mentor to younger colleagues throughout AECOM New Zealand.
ASTT Person of the Year: Geoff Weaver
The ASTT Person of the Year award recognises an individual (aged 37 or over) who has made major and sustained contributions to the trenchless industry and was awarded to Interflow Managing Director Geoff Weaver.
Mr Weaver is considered an industry leader and pioneer of trenchless technology who has more than 40 years’ experience in civil construction and pipeline renewal. Throughout his tenure as Managing Director, Geoff’s direction and contributions have assisted in Interflow’s growth as Australia’s largest provider of trenchless pipeline solutions.
All award winners will be profiled in the December edition of Trenchless Australasia magazine.
No-Dig Down Under 2021
No-Dig Down Under 2021 will take place on 5–8 October 2021 at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Sydney, Australia.
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If you have an event you would like featured in Trenchless Australasia contact Managing Editor Chloe Jenkins to discuss promotional opportunities at cjenkins@gs-press.com.au