The peak body for engineering and public works in Australasia has recognised a project to deliver two bridges in North Geelong for innovation, excellence, and sustainability.
The bridges at Cowies Creek in Seagull Paddock were recognised with three awards and a commendation at the Institute of Public Works Engineers Australasia (IPWEA) Victorian Division awards.
Following the success of the first project, the City is delivering another sustainable bridge at Seagull Paddock through a $500,000 investment outlined in its Proposed 2022-23 Draft Budget.
The geopolymer for the bridges was created by a group of local companies and organisations working together: Austeng, Rocla, Inconmat and Deakin University.
The concept for the bridges came out of a ‘procurement for innovation’ process where companies were invited to research and develop a product to address the waste, maintenance and cost issues associated with traditional concrete and steel bridges.
The City of Greater Geelong has developed an eLearning training course on the procurement for innovation process. The eLearning modules have already been requested by, and shared with, purchasers across Australia and the UNESCO City of Design network, including Curitiba (Brazil), Montreal (Canada) and Kortrijk (Belgium).
Recent sustainability awards for the City include:
IPWEA awards
Environmental Sustainability winner- Seagull Paddock Pedestrian Bridge
Excellence in Public Works winner – Seagull Paddock Pedestrian Bridge
Excellence in Innovation Regional winner – Seagull Paddock Pedestrian Bridge
Excellence in Asset management (Commendation) – Seagull Paddock Pedestrian Bridge
Environmental Sustainability commendation – Maple Place Road reconstruction project
Excellence in Innovation Regional commendation – Maple Place Road reconstruction project
LGPro Awards for Excellence
Winner Sustainability – Victorian Energy Collaboration project (VECO).
For more information visit Procurement for Innovation.
Mayor Stephanie Asher
The awards are well-earned recognition for the team who worked on the project, the suppliers who engaged with the City, and the innovative procurement process we used to make it happen.
The sustainable bridges are made from a world-first geopolymer designed to be maintenance-free for at least 100 years. The geopolymer is extremely long-lasting and uses up to 80 per cent less greenhouse gases in production than concrete. The bridges are made using recycled materials so it’s a great example of a circular economy solution in practice.
Windermere Ward Councillor Anthony Aitken
This is public recognition that the council is trying to be innovative in environmentally sustainable opportunities. Delivering innovative investments in our community and in our north in particular is becoming a hallmark of this council.
