Turning a degraded wetland and sandpit into an engineering showpiece continues to win major awards for Logan City Council.
The Council's acclaimed SouthWest1 Enterprise Park and Berrinba Wetlands picked up the prestigious National Public Works Medal for Public Works Project of the Year.
The award was presented to Council at the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia (IPWEA) National Conference in Melbourne on September 7.
Only one project award is presented throughout Australia every two years and Logan Mayor, Councillor Pam Parker, said she was honoured to see Logan's name etched on the prestigious medallion.
''SouthWest1 is a real jewel in Logan's crown. There is nothing else like it anywhere in Queensland, if not Australia,'' she said.
''What we have been able to do with this development is integrate a business and recreational development with environmental conservation - we have truly set a new benchmark that Councils throughout the nation will no doubt be trying to emulate for many years to come.
''With SouthWest1, we have been able to provide the people of Logan with employment, recreation and education opportunities, all the while conserving and enhancing our precious environment.''
Award judges commended Council's commitment to conservation during and after the development of the $32 million SouthWest1 Enterprise Park and Berrinba Wetlands project.
''It will be completed at no cost to the ratepayers through the sale of industrial land. The judges agree it sets a new benchmark for the funding model and for integrating a business and recreational development with environmental conservation,'' judges said.
In 2003, Logan City Council bought the Berrinba site with a vision for the 120 hectare former sand mined site to create a space that preserved and enhanced the natural ecological amenity of the Berrinba Wetlands and provide residents and visitors with landmark recreational facilities.
The SouthWest1 Enterprise Park aspect of the project has created employment opportunities throughout a knowledge-based mixed industry business area. Once fully tenanted, the master-planned 40ha precinct is expected to create up to 2,000 new jobs in the city.
Beside the SouthWest1 Enterprise Park is the 80ha Berrinba Wetlands Park, a combination of natural beauty, environmental features and recreational facilities.
The Berrinba Wetlands Park features seven kilometres of walking tracks, five bridges for walkers and cyclists, remnant bushland, a series of sheltered picnic areas, playgrounds and an interpretive centre and meeting facilities overlooking the wetlands.
Cr Parker said SouthWest1 aims to attract high quality green commercial tenants.
''The preservation and sustainability of the environment has been foremost in our mind throughout the development and operation of SouthWest1 and the beautiful Berrinba Wetlands,'' she said.
''We are delighted that we have been able to achieve our goals and be held up as an example for other Councils in Australia to follow.
''With best practice, we have shown that development, industry, recreation and the environment can all work together.''
GHD were Principal Consultants for the development and Neumann Contractors were Principal Contractors. Representatives from both organisations attended today's Council meeting to receive their National Public Works Medal for Public Works Project of the Year certificate from Cr Parker.
The National Public Works Medal complements a series of awards SouthWest1 has secured in the past 12 months. These awards include:
• CCF Earth Awards Queensland 2008;
• Best Project $20 to $75 million category;
• Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia Qld;
• EDA 2008 National Award for Economic Development Excellence for Environmental Economic Innovation;
• Planning Institute of Australia;
• Certificate of Merit for Industrial Planning and the Queensland Architecture Awards 2009; and
• Commendation in Public Building category.