The awards recognise excellence in civil construction projects carried out by New Zealand companies at home or overseas, with budgets ranging from up to NZ$500,000 to over NZ$20 million. Downer won the ‘category 3’ award which covers projects in the range of NZ$5 and NZ$20 million.
The Cleddau River is located in the Fiordland National Park, a vast remote wilderness and a UNESCO World Heritage site, and was the largest capital project ever undertaken by New Zealand’s Department of Conservation.
As well as providing flood protection, the project improved access to important infrastructure and involved the temporary relocation of existing Milford Sound tourism workers in a local accommodation village, raising the village area by three to four metres and then reinstating the village - a task that had to be handled with great sensitivity.
Minimising the environmental impacts was critical to the project and a natural extension of Downer’s Zero Harm philosophy.
Downer New Zealand CEO Cos Bruyn said the strength of the relationships established locally with stakeholders, especially the Department of Conservation, was exceptional and contributed greatly to the success of the project.
“Congratulations to the Downer Team for their commitment on this tremendous and challenging project, particularly the worksite personnel who have worked in some very trying conditions. This project has enhanced our reputation within the wider contracting industry and demonstrated the high levels of quality and customer service that Downer can provide,” Cos said.
The Award was presented at the Contractors Federation Awards Dinner on 3 August.