CONSTRUCTION
2017 Northland Construction Awards all about recognising the people and celebrating their success
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n Friday 23rd June 2017 contractors from around the Northland region changed their steel cap boots, hi viz vests and hardhats for suits, dresses and shiny shoes for the annual Civil Contractors NZ – Northland Construction Awards. This was the fourth year for the event and it keeps moving from strength to strength, getting bigger and better each year. The aim of the night is to highlight the high level of skill that the civil contractors of Northland have, with a showcase of their people, projects, achievements and contributions the members have made here in the Northland community over the last 12 months.
The night was a huge success with over 200 people attending the evening at Toll Stadium in Okara – the biggest turnout for the event yet! There were 22 entries, all to a very high standard. The Judges of the Awards commented that they were once again impressed with the high standard and variety of projects, and the extent of local innovation and capacity. Strong client relationships are a big component of project successes, along with a high regard for environmental difficulties. It was also noted that CCNZ Northland Branch is unique in that it is the only branch that recognises and awards a member for their contribution to the community, but also unique was the theme throughout those entries – the local contractors give back with a passion and it is all about relationships. Here in Northland we are proud to be a branch that treasures its relationships.
We have huge support and involvement from all of our contractors, clients and suppliers. They give us amazing backing every day, and our suppliers continue to put their hands up each year to stand behind and support us on the one night we have to shine. Without these sponsors and supporters our big night and our day to day jobs would not run. In the words of one of our sponsors – “the awards night is not about trying to mingle to sell something, it’s about recognising the contractors and their people and celebrating their successes and achievements.” A strong focus this year was on the People Awards. Some of these were recognised on the night in the Trainee of the Year and Northland Leadership Awards. This theme has been carried through from a national level, as the Civil Construction industry is looking at a shortage of workers over the next two years. There is an estimated 30,000 people needed to join the industry by 2019. With the recent introduction of “Civil Trades” to continued over page
INNOVATIVE CONSTRUCTION SOLUTIONS
Firth Construction Projects $0 - $100,000 Two very close submissions stood out this year. The nature of the site challenges, alternative design acceptance with significant cost saving benefits for the client and use of non normal construction techniques identified the winner.
Steve Bowling Contracting –
Design and build of bridges - including plans, permits, consents and construction. Also specialises in pile driving and drilling.
We can take care of ALL your steel needs be they large or small. Stainless and blacksteel
Tutukaka Footbridge
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hangarei District Council released the tender for the construction of a new walking bridge on a recreational walking track at Tutukaka, Whangarei. The bridge was an 11.0m timber structure to bridge an unsafe gap where pedestrians had to scale part of a steep bank to otherwise get around it. The major challenge involved with this project was the access, the project was on an isolated bank on the water’s edge only accessible by a largely incomplete walking track or by boat. The access track was referred to by our staff as a ‘goats track.’ Getting materials to the construction site was a huge challenge. Due to the fact we were working in a marine tidal environment, a large proportion of the materials were transported to the site by use of a small boat. This meant on some occasions we were limited to what days & hours we could work as tide levels would often restrict the accessibility of Building property maintenance. Painting, certified asbestos removal and construction. the structure. To get the poles onto the site, we had to use a helicopter to lift them from the nearby marina car park area. We also worked from a boat to do some of the work underneath the bridge & used the boat to bring in some of Ph 435 2119 | www.bowlinggroup.co.nz the materials. 9 - 11 Hewlett Street, Port Whangarei, Whangarei
Laying the foundation for the future Driveways, retaining walls, concrete floors, structural concrete and site works.