IPWEAQ

Adam Doherty (Branch President)

Director

Dileigh Consulting Engineers

Greg Abbotts

Technical Officer

Livingstone Shire Council

Celisa Faulkner

Manager Asset Planning, Strategic Asset Performance

Gladstone Regional Council

Jessica Dennien

Engineer

Gladstone Regional Council

Ryan Grayson

Development Engineer

Gladstone Regional Council

Jason Hoolihan

Manager Infrastructure

Central Highlands Regional Council

Garth Kath

RPEQ Engineer & Associate

George Bourne & Associates

Arvind Jess Layug

Technical Officer/Project Superintendent

Rockhampton Regional Council

I am delighted to have been declared elected officially as the CQ Branch President at the 2021 Annual General Meeting held in Cairns, 13 October, and attended my first Board meeting Friday 15 October. I look forward to working with all our members, CQ councils, corporate subscribers, Partners and stakeholders over the next two years to facilitate a re-energised CQ Branch. 

Six CQ projects were nominated for an excellence award with two winners which was a great result for our region: 

1. Asset Management - Bundaberg Regional Council Stormwater Management Strategy delivered by Bundaberg Regional Council and AECOM. (award sponsored by SHEPHERD) 2. Innovation in Water & Sustainability – Fraser Coast Council for the Urraween Reservoir Floating Roof and Liner Replacement (award sponsored by Trimble) 

The Geoff Wilmoth Best Paper award also went to a CQ presentation from Dwayne Honor (Bundaberg Regional Council) and Jordan Maultboy (AECOM) on their award-winning stormwater management strategy. Congratulations, Dwayne and Jordan! They will present at the IPWEA NZ conference in 2022 or 2023 depending on borders. 

With the 2022 excellence awards to be launched in February, the CQ Branch Committee is keen to identify projects in our region, people and employers to nominate in each category. Projects must have been completed within 18 months of the awards close, 25 June 2022 so it’s not too late to enter projects completed this year. Please let me know if you have a project to submit in 2022. While it sounds like a cliché, it is not all about winning – it is about highlighting the work we do for our communities and taking the time to stop, reflect and have pride in our successes. 

Congratulations also to Jordan Maultboy who joined the negative team for the 2021 Great Debate, technology will make engineering redundant. I understand the advice Jordan received from colleagues was that he didn’t have to worry too much about his argument, as a roomful of engineers was not likely to vote affirmative this year however, the result was closer than expected. 

Preparations are underway for the 2022 CQ Branch conference at the Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre, 16-17 March. We are obviously expecting our biggest ever CQ Branch conference with such a large venue with more than 200 delegates from all 17 councils in our region. Call for Papers close 10 December 2021. If you have a project with lessons learned and/ or innovative solutions applied, please share with the rest of the community and present at the CQ Branch conference. If you need further convincing, see 10 Reasons for Presenting at an IPWEAQ conference I encourage you to also register early in the new year as soon as registrations open. If you require assistance with approvals to attend, please contact our CEO, Leigh Cunningham who will provide you with a letter of support. 

Next up, Christmas which has appeared out of nowhere. This year I am thrilled to be celebrating it with our first grandchild, granddaughter, Mackenzie. Have a wonderful Christmas and I look forward to seeing you in person or via live streaming for the President’s Breakfast 4 February.