New Zealand Engineering Excellence Awards

Auckland clocks up five finalists for NZ Engineering Excellence Awards

18 October 2007

Amongst the 2007 New Zealand Engineering Excellence (NZEE) Awards category finalists announced today were five Auckland projects.

The University of Auckland’s School of Engineering Library and Students Centre, Central Motorway Junction Core Area Upgrading, Hillsborough Pilot Sewer Rehabilitation Programme, Royal New Zealand Navy backfilling of the old bulk fuel tunnels and the Watercare Biogas Cogeneration Plant were among the 22 projects making the finalists cut.

David Elms, Convenor for the NZEE Category Awards judging panel said the calibre of finalist projects highlighted the contribution that professional engineers make to New Zealand on a social, economic and environmental scale.

“These projects made the finalist cut because they each are outstanding examples of engineering innovation”, says David Elms, Convenor for the NZEE Category Awards judging panel. “This year’s finalists impressed the judges by demonstrating how their projects contributed to the national economy and the reputation of New Zealand engineering and impacted on quality of life in their communities”.

The finalists, in alphabetical order, are:

Central Motorway Junction Core Area Upgrading – Designed by Beca and constructed by Fletcher Construction and Leighton Contractors, the project provided the missing links on Auckland’s Spaghetti Junction. In upgrading the existing motorway system and completing motorway links between the Northern, North Western and Port motorways this project finally realised the plans drawn in the 1960’s.

Hillsborough Pilot Sewer Rehabilitation Programme – In line with its urban sustainability objective and drive for environmental improvement, Metrowater developed this programme to reduce the excessive flows in and overflows in wet weather to the environment from its wastewater systems. It is currently developing a citywide inflow and infiltration management programme to achieve this objective.

Royal New Zealand Navy, Backfilling the Bulk Fuel Tunnels – Four tunnels built behind the Devonport Naval Base between 1943 and 1947 and designed to hold enough fuel for the New Zealand naval fleet were backfilled.

Watercare Biogas Cogeneration Plant – Watercare Services Ltd processes wastewater for Auckland. The Mangere plant where all of Auckland’s wastewater is treated is the largest in New Zealand. Using new technology solutions never used before in New Zealand, consultancy Maunsell Ltd designed and engineered the Biogas Cogeneration Plant which is attached to the wastewater treatment facility.

The University of Auckland’s School of Engineering Library and Students Centre – The University of Auckland is one of Auckland’s largest power users and when its Engineering Library and Student Centre was recently upgraded, effectively managing energy usage was identified as both a need and an opportunity. The rebuilt library wing of the School of Engineering has the following features: during winter, air is heated by gas rather than the convention method of using hot water boilers which then heat the air; slowly rotating heat recovery wheels transfer latent heating or cooling energy in the exhaust air systems; fresh air economiser damper control systems allow air conditioning systems to run on 100 per cent outside air – reducing chiller operating costs; daylight sensors adjust dim lighting when natural light is available; under-floor air conditioning using less energy and providing filtered air directly to work stations; a sophisticated fire protection system which avoids the need for sprinklers; the entire system is controlled by a computer-based building management system which constantly monitors and adjusts lighting and air conditioning.

The third New Zealand Engineering Excellence Awards are the premier awards for the engineering professionals of New Zealand. The awards are presented in two major areas: Individual Awards, that recognise leadership, entrepreneurship, and our young engineers; and Category Awards, that recognise achievement in the various industry areas, together with a Supreme Award for the best of the Category winners.

Winners will be announced at a black tie gala dinner hosted by legendary entertainer Frankie Stevens. This year’s event will take place on Wednesday, 21 November 2007 at TE PAPA, Wellington.

The New Zealand Engineering Excellence Awards are hosted by a consortium of five partners and 10 contributing organisations. The partners are: Centre for Advanced Engineering (CAE); Association of Local Government Engineering New Zealand Incorporated (INGENIUM); Electricity Engineers Association of New Zealand (EEA); Association of Consulting Engineers New Zealand (ACENZ); and the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand Inc (IPENZ).

Media enquiries contact:

Verona-Meiana Putaranui, NZEE Awards Media Co-ordinator

Email: media@ipenz.org.nz

Phone: +64 4 473 2028 or Cell: +64 21 479885