WSP celebrates asset management award success

A team led by WSP and involving Far North District Council and Marshall Projects took out the Excellence in Project Innovation category for its work on an upgrade to Paihia's wastewater treatment plant in the Far North.

Commenting on the wastewater treatment team's work, IPWEA (The Institute of Public Works Engineers Australasia – New Zealand) noted the original approach taken to the project's procurement and project delivery which used innovative ‘Bioshell®’ technology and "[demonstrated] a sustainable and affordable approach to upgrading wastewater treatment plants across Aotearoa New Zealand."

WSP, Buller District Council and Concrete Structures Ltd won the Best Public Works Project under $2 Million category for the Tidal Creek 2 bridge replacement - a 35m-long span on the West Coast's Karamea Highway.

IPWEA was impressed with the Tidal Creek Bridge's design, noting its geometric alignment, span configuration and efficient build in challenging circumstances.

Rounding out WSP's winning entries was Christchurch-based senior environmental engineer James Thorne, who won the AECOM / IMNZ - Institute of Management New Zealand Young Leader of the Year category.

James is an active ambassador for the water sector and asset management discipline with 15 years of professional experience. The IPWEA judges noted his outstanding leadership qualities, thought leadership and prolific contribution to conferences and industry events.

Elsewhere, WSP was recognised alongside other infrastructure firms in the Excellence in Asset Management category for the Strategic Maintenance Investment Justification project run by Waka Kotahi.

The project, which set out to examine how much investment is needed to maintain the 24,000km of New Zealand State Highway Network over a 3-year period, was led from WSP's Tauranga office with support from Manukau and Research offices. It took just over 18 months to deliver, including project management, technical leadership and development and coordination of inputs and collaboration from 14 industry organisations and all 23 Waka Kotahi Network Outcomes Contract holders.

Judges praised the work for its scientific model that forecasts road condition, maintenance and renewal needs into the future.

A big congratulations to all our winners!