TRC wins big at 2023 IPWEA-QNT Excellence Awards

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) has taken out two awards at this week’s 2023 Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia Queensland/Northern Territory (IPWEA-QNT) Excellence Awards gala dinner on the Gold Coast.

Program Leader – Health, Safety and Wellbeing Michael Courtney took out Team Member of the Year while Council’s refurbishment project of the historic Soldiers’ Memorial Hall took out Project of the Year in the $2 million to $5 million category.

TRC Infrastructure Services Group Portfolio Chair Cr Carol Taylor said she was delighted Council had been recognised at the awards.

“The IPWEA Excellence Awards places a spotlight on the projects and people who deliver exceptional outcomes for Queensland communities, and I’m delighted that TRC has again been recognised with these two awards,” Cr Taylor said.

“Michael is a worthy winner in the category of Team Member of the Year for all that he does in his role with TRC as Program Leader – Health, Safety and Wellbeing.

“Michael’s role leads safety across all areas of Council. He is a people leader who strives to support staff in coming home to their families and friends each day in a healthy and safe state, regardless of their position at Council.”

“Michael’s focus on health and safety in the workplace is evidenced through an effective organisational-wide safety management system which supports the organisation to manage business as usual elements such as PPE, major projects, traffic management, fatigue management, lone worker management and mental health, just to name a few. Council’s Wellness Initiative was also created and championed by Michael,” Cr Taylor said.

Cr Taylor said TRC’s Soldiers’ Memorial Hall project was also recognised for returning the facility to its former glory.

“The state-heritage listed Soldiers’ Memorial Hall is located in the CBD and the project involved the preservation of many historical elements of the building while improving accessibility, functionality and safety,” Cr Taylor said.

“The facility was first built in the 1920’s as a hall of memorial to commemorate those who served in World War One from Toowoomba and surrounds.

“Council contributed the bulk for the funds for the $4.4 million upgrade with the Toowoomba RSL Sub-branch now using the facility and I congratulate everyone from Council who worked on the project in taking out this week’s award.

“These awards are industry awards that take in nominees from a much broader cross-section than local government so to win two awards this year is a remarkable achievement and something to be celebrated,” Cr Taylor said.

Photo caption: TRC’s Principal Project Manager Gavan Scheiwe (left) pictured with General Manager of ISG Mike Brady at this week’s IPWEA-QNT Excellence Awards gala dinner on the Gold Coast with the award for TRC’s Soldiers’ Memorial Hall Project.