The New Museum for WA in Perth, constructed by Multiplex Constructions Pty Ltd and The Zero Cost Energy Future in South Australia, constructed by Enerven, have been announced as the 2020 and 2021 winners respectively of the Australian Construction Achievement Award at a major online industry event today.

The Australian Construction Achievement Award is promoted by the Australian Constructors Association and Engineers Australia and is the peak annual award for the major players in Australia’s construction industry.

The Award is fiercely contested by the largest construction and engineering businesses operating in Australia whose projects must first qualify to be finalists and then submit to the most rigorous assessment by an independent panel of experts.

Due to COVID, the Australian Constructors Association and Engineers Australia made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 and 2021 Melbourne Gala Dinner for the Australian Construction Achievement Award, later advising that 2020 and 2021 Award winners would be announced online on Thursday 26 August at 4.30pm.

Commenting on the announcement of the winners, Australian Constructors Association President Cathal O’Rourke said these projects demonstrate that best-for-project outcomes are achieved when clients, contractors and the supply chain all collaborate.

“A positive industry culture has the potential to make a good project great and the winners are proof of this,” said Mr O’Rourke.

Dr Bronwyn Evans AM, CEO of Engineers Australia, praised the finalists for their complexity and creativity.

“Congratulations to all finalists for delivering such ambitious and innovative projects under such difficult circumstances, bringing together engineers from multiple technical backgrounds to deliver extraordinary constructions,” said Dr Evans.

Now in its 24th year, this premier construction industry Award has again been partnered by some of the major businesses connected with the industry including Caterpillar, Cbus, Holcim, Infra Build and Oracle Construction and Engineering.

 2020 WINNER

 New Museum for WA, Perth, Western Australia by Multiplex Constructions Pty Ltd

With seven new galleries, a 1,000 square metre special exhibitions gallery, and dynamic and activated public spaces, the New Museum for WA is set to become a landmark building for Western Australia.

A redevelopment of the existing WA Museum, the project included the design and construction of a new building that integrates with the existing heritage buildings, and heritage restoration works to the Old Gaol, Jubilee, Beaufort and Hackett Hall buildings. It also included a Central Energy Plant (CEP) servicing the Perth Cultural Centre, and is expected to reduce energy use and CO2 emissions by around 30 per cent in the year after the new museum is operational.

Judges’ comments:

“Multiplex demonstrated a significant culture of de-engineering safety risk, which create a very safe working environment for all workers and stakeholders. Their cost control was excellent, particularly when asked for client changes. The design was in harmony with local surroundings and to enhanced new construction with historic building, including 85% local content. Innovation was strongly evident, and the team and the 30 government stakeholders were cohesive and agreed it was a fantastic outcome for the WA Museum project.”

The other ACAA Finalists for 202o were: 

  • Caulfield to Dandenong (CTD) Level Crossing Removal Project, Victoria by CTD Alliance
  • Clarence Correctional Centre, Lavadia, New South Wales by John Holland
  • Darlington Upgrade Project, Adelaide, South Australia by Gateway South
  • Newcastle Light Rail Fixed Instructure, Newcastle, New South Wales by Downer EDI Works Pty Ltd
  • Sydney Metro Northwest, Rouse Hill to Chatswood, New South Wales by Northwest Rapid Transit.

2021 WINNER

Zero Cost Energy Future, South Australia by Enerven

Enerven engineered, procured, constructed and commissioned over 150MW of solar PV and 16MW/34MWh of energy storage across 33 SA Water brownfield and greenfield sites in metropolitan and regional South Australia in less than 24 months.

This infrastructure delivery was part of SA Water’s program to see the energy they generate and export to the market off-set the cost of the electricity they draw from the grid and network charges, to achieve a zero-net outcome.

Judge’s comments:

“The project sets a significant legacy for both the construction industry, but more importantly, major utilities like SAWater. It has developed both standards and a general methodology for delivering projects of this scale. This in turn is providing the entire water industry with a pathway forward towards zero‐cost energy and materially

reducing its carbon footprint, which is a significant societal outcome given it is a carbon intensive industry involving significant pumping and treatment. Already other utilities are commencing planning to go down similar path.”

The other ACAA Finalists for 2021 were: 

  • Bruce Highway Upgrade -Caloundra Road to Sunshine Motorway, New South Wales by Fulton Hogan Seymour Whyte Joint Venture
  • Pacific Highway Upgrade -Woolgoolga to Ballina Section 2A – Wells Crossing to Glenugie, NSW by ACCIONA
  • Australia 108 Melbourne, Victoria by Multiplex Constructions.

 The Award presentation and details about the finalists’ projects are available at www.acaa.net.au