Queensland Water Awards celebrate innovation and community impact

The 2026 Queensland Water Awards have celebrated the state’s outstanding projects and professionals, recognising achievements in innovation, sustainability, service delivery and sector leadership.

Announced at the Queensland Gala Dinner & Awards held at Sofitel Brisbane Central on 13 November, the Awards showcase the contribution of Queensland’s water community across research, regional services and infrastructure projects.

AWA Chief Executive Corinne Cheeseman congratulated all the finalists and winners, recognising their commitment to delivering lasting benefits for communities and the environment.

“Queensland’s water community continues to show what can be achieved when people bring their expertise together to address local challenges,” Cheeseman said.

“This year’s winners demonstrate the breadth of talent and innovation across the state, from advancing wastewater treatment and resource recovery to strengthening regional services and protecting drinking water quality.

“It’s a pleasure to recognise the professionals, researchers and mentors whose dedication is building capability and supporting the next generation. Their work is helping create a more sustainable water future for communities across Queensland.”

Winners in eligible categories will go on to represent Queensland in the national Australian Water Awards, which will be presented at AWA’s annual water conference and exhibition, Ozwater’27, in Sydney.

Travers Boland
Travers Boland has made an enduring contribution to regional Queensland’s water industry, combining more than 20 years of experience with genuine commitment to the communities he serves. Based in Cairns, he has helped shape vital water infrastructure, including providing design leadership for Cairns Water Security Stage 1. Beyond his technical achievements, Travers is known for his deep regional knowledge, collaborative approach and generosity in sharing his experience. His long-standing support of the Australian Water Association and North Queensland water community reflects someone deeply invested in regional success. Technically accomplished, locally connected and community-focused, Travers represents the very best of regional service.

Distinguished Service Award
Ted Cusack
Ted Cusack has served Queensland’s water industry for 40 years, from his early career as the City of Gold Coast’s only process engineer to decades in consulting. A committed AWA contributor since his Young Water Professional days, Ted has served as Queensland Branch Vice President, President and Treasurer, helping strengthen advocacy, technical excellence and community education. His curiosity has driven research, trials and new technologies to improve community health and environmental outcomes. Just as importantly, Ted is a generous colleague and friend who readily offers guidance and support. His leadership, service and humanity represent the very best of Queensland’s water community.

Organisational Excellence Award (sponsored by John Holland)

Gympie Regional Council – Gympie Regional Council Transformation
Gympie Regional Council’s Water Branch transformation is strengthening regional water and wastewater services through workforce growth, in-house capability, improved governance preventative maintenance, industry collaboration and long-term water security planning. It demonstrates how regional utilities can build capability from within while delivering safer, more reliable and sustainable services.

R&D Excellence (sponsored by Water Research Australia)

City of Gold Coast and other contributing organisations – 3D-AeroDry®: A World-First Queensland Innovation in Vertical Biosolids Drying 
Developed by Queensland start-up IPMF Technologies in partnership with the City of Gold Coast, 3D-AeroDry® is a world-first vertical biosolids drying technology that harnesses only ambient air only and requires no external heat to deliver low-cost, low-carbon and low-footprint biosolids drying for a more sustainable and circular biosolids management future.

Infrastructure Project Innovation Award (REGIONAL) (sponsored by CPB Contractors)

Pensar and Livingstone Shire Council – Great Keppel Island STP D&C 
In delivering critical wastewater infrastructure to one of Queensland's unique islands, this project brought together a collaboration of partners to engineer innovative low-energy processes and equipment. The constructed outcome provides security for Great Keppel Island's water future while protecting the adjacent Great Barrier Reef Marine Park for generations to come.

 Infrastructure Project Innovation Award (METRO) (sponsored by CPB Contractors)

Unitywater and Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure – Maroochydore WWTP Renewals Program
Maroochydore Wastewater Treatment Plant was trapped in a cycle where critical assets could not be renewed due to insufficient redundancy and operational flexibility. Through a collaborative partnership between Unitywater and Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure, the program enabled critical renewal works to proceed while maintaining compliance, treatment performance and continuous plant operation.

Mark Pascoe Mentoring Award
A/Prof Brian McIntosh - International WaterCentre and Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University
Brian's impact on the water sector through helping people grow is substantial. He invests deeply in people, particularly early career professionals, helping them build confidence, capability, networks and leadership skills. He has a genuine desire to see others succeed. His hallmarks are patience, inclusivity and a tireless desire to help.

Student Water Prize (sponsored by Hydroflux)

Dr Zheng Kong – The University of Queensland
Acidic Activated Sludge for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment
Dr Zheng Kong is pioneering acidic activated sludge as a new paradigm for biological wastewater treatment, challenging the conventional near-neutral pH boundary. His research has advanced acidic treatment from process start-up and performance evaluation to sludge properties, water chemistry, stability and resilience, providing a pathway towards sustainable water industry.

Young Water Professional of the Year (sponsored by Xylem)

Samantha Guy – Cairns Regional Council
Known for creating bridges between people, ideas and sectors, Samantha combines technical expertise with genuine care for communities. Through her leadership, research and industry contribution, she inspires others to ask better questions, embrace diverse perspectives and work together towards a sustainable water future.

Water Professional of the Year (sponsored by KSB Australia)

Chris Blake – Queensland Health
Chris is a trusted public health and water-sector leader whose stewardship of Queensland Health’s Safe and Healthy Drinking Water Program has strengthened drinking-water services across Queensland remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. His respectful, partnership-based leadership builds local capability, improves public health protection and creates enduring sector-wide impact.

The Association congratulates all the award finalists and winners and thanks our sponsors – John Holland, Water Research Australia, CPB Contractors, Hydroflux, Xylem, KSB Australia, Fulton Hogan, Sequana and Acciona – for their support of this event and these important water community awards. 

 Thank you to our Sponsors

Major Sponsor
Dinner Sponsor
Organisational Excellence Award	R&D Excellence Award Sponsor
Water Professional of the Year	Young Water Professional of the Year Award Sponsor
Student Water Prize	Infrastructure Project Innovation (Regional & Metro) Award Sponsor