Innovation Award

2009

Trafalgar Park Upgrade Team, Nelson, New Zealand of Royce Greaves, Alastair Wiffen, Chris Porteners, Gavin Calder and Hans-Peter Froeling

Since December 2008, Opus has been the lead Project Manager for the Trafalgar Park Upgrade. The following innovative initiatives were adopted:
Recycled Glass Sand: Use of 2800 tonnes of recycled glass sand manufactured (from recycled glass bottles) in the South Island in lieu of quarried sand transported from the North Island, as the drainage medium for the sports turf upgrade – this is a world first. Not only was this sand option sustainable (and essentially infinite in supply!) it was cheaper than quarried sand
Low carbon footprint transport options
Intelligent and sustainable park capacity analysis
Intelligent sustainable building design
Intelligent earthworks
Re-use of recyclable demolition materials
Intelligent use of onsite materials
Cultural Sensitivity
Through intelligent marketing, innovative research, careful risk management (literature reviews, teleconferences with specialists, etc), internal and external networking, and the ability to influence positive outcomes, Opus was able to sell these sustainable initiatives to Nelson City Council. In some cases, the Trafalgar Park Team also had to demonstrate that the long term social and environmental benefits outweighed the short term financial benefits.

Mangorewa Gorge Project Team, New Zealand of Dean Neilson, Alistair Muirhead, Tauranga; Niketi Toataua, Hamilton; John Garvey, Hamilton; Dan Phillips, Rotorua; Lydia Gray, Hamilton; Alison Baird, Hamilton; Gareth Bellamy, Hamilton; Puvi Mohanaraj, Hamilton; David Dennison, Hamilton; William Gray, Napier

The Mangorewa Gorge Widening project on SH 36 between Rotorua and Tauranga is strategically and historically important for Rotorua District Council (RDC) and NZTA (NZ Transport Agency). The project team has utilised innovative and technically excellent solutions in a number of fields to deliver this project including:
Consultation and stakeholder relationships
Design and construction innovation
Problem solving utilising the integrated team
Commitment in the face of adversity
Gaining and retaining client and public confidence

Peter Kortegast, Cycle Warning Lights, Senior Project Manager, Nelson, New Zealand

Peter has unbridled enthusiasm for cycling and walking. His use of his technical knowledge and experience has resulted in a large gain in exposure for cycling and walking both within New Zealand and further afield as well as establishing him as a National Leader in the development of this area of transportation.

Peter is the current president of Living Streets Aotoeroa, a National Walking Advocacy Organisation which works with Government and local bodies to improve the whole approach to walking in New Zealand from infrastructure to desire.

The Appleby Bridge on SH60 Tasman was identified as a cycling safety hazard in the highway road safety inspections. Rather than using conventional cycle warning treatment Opus promoted a new innovative approach to their client. With the support of the client, approval as a national trial and recognition of this route as a National Safety Co-ordination site, Opus designed and installed New Zealand’s first electronic bridge cycle warning signs.

This application has significant potential for use nationwide, especially on high cycle use tourist Highways, where traffic volumes or crash history cannot support full bridge upgrades. It would also support the National Cycle Path Network government initiative.