Ulmarra Precinct wins Engineering Excellence Award
Published on 16 April 2024
Clarence Valley Council has won the 2024 Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia’s (IPWEA) Engineering Excellence award for the Ulmarra Riverside and Village Precinct.
The awards were held at the IPWEA State conference on Thursday 11 April at the Hunter Valley with Clarence Council taking out the Design & Construction category of a Public Works Project ( <$5m).
The Ulmarra Riverside and Village Precinct project aimed to rejuvenate the village and increase the viability of Ulmarra as a place to live, visit and invest.
The project involved upgrading roads, landscaping, extensive drainage works, parkland facilities and play areas. Footpaths have been widened, shade trees planted, and road safety measures to enhance the pedestrian experience.
Clarence Valley Council’s General Manager Laura Black said it is exciting for a project that was delivered completely in-house to win such a prestigious award like this.
“Delivering this project in-house provided several benefits, including risk mitigation, cost-saving efficiencies, and it also provided us with the opportunity to liaise closely with the community and businesses and be more responsive to their needs.”
“It’s exciting our staff are being recognised and awarded for all their hard work on the beautification of Ulmarra.”
The installation of a new stormwater system including kerb and guttering and new road surface will improve the resilience of the Ulmarra CBD during rainfall events.
The project also included the redevelopment of Bailey Park and the installation of new barbecue and picnic facilities and a new playground and equipment featuring a water play area.
“The feedback from the community and visitors has been resoundingly positive, with many indicating that they believe the playground areas are now the best across the Clarence Valley.”
The Ulmarra Riverside and Village Precinct Project was funded by the Australian and NSW Governments in association with Clarence Valley Council and was officially opened in November 2023 by Clarence Valley Council Mayor Peter Johnstone and State Member for Clarence Richie Williamson.
