Media Releases

Shelley Hancock – Minister for Local Government

Friday, 9 April 2021

The achievements and contributions of councils across the State have been celebrated through the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA – NSW) Engineering Excellence Awards.

Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock congratulated the winners of the annual awards which recognise excellence in local government and public works projects across the State including road safety, recycling, water supply, wastewater, asset management, and workplace health and safety.

Mrs Hancock said all councils recognised as winners or highly commended demonstrated outstanding commitment and innovation in their public works for the benefit of their local communities.

“The scope and innovation present in all these projects are simply outstanding and a real credit to the staff for bringing them to life, from initial blueprint and floorplan to the final stroke of the paintbrush,” Mrs Hancock said.

Mrs Hancock singled out Wollongong City Council for winning the Design and Construction of a Local Government Project Award in response to its project enabling flood-reliable access to residential areas in West Dapto.

“The timing of this project, brought to life with Resilience NSW, is remarkable given the current storms and floods that have wrought havoc,” Mrs Hancock said.

“West Dapto is one of the fastest-growing areas in the State outside Greater Sydney, but historically flood-prone, and I am delighted that Wollongong City Council’s prescient project has been recognised in the awards.”

The $71 million project connects West Dapto with Dapto Town Centre, the Princes Highway and M1 Princes Motorway, and involved the construction of a four-lane road, two bridges, key intersection upgrades, and relocation of power, gas and communications services.

Shoalhaven City Council was recognised through the Minister for Local Government Award for Innovation for the creation of the Shoalhaven Indoor Sports Centre.

“This multipurpose facility can cater for basketball, netball, futsal, and badminton and 600 spectators cheering their teams on,” Mrs Hancock said.
“Given its proximity to Bomaderry High School and the inclusion of a creche, the sports centre is also a boon for students and parents in the area, as well as the broader community, which has welcomed the facility with open arms.”

For more information on the award-winning and highly commended projects, visit www.ipweansw.org.

MEDIA: Jane Boag | 0419 417 514