Rolleston airstrip recognised at national awards

A council project to rejuvenate the Rolleston airstrip has taken out one of the top prizes at the 2024 National AusStab Awards of Excellence. 

At the awards gala dinner in Brisbane last night, Central Highlands Regional Council was named the winner of Category 4: Excellence in Pavement Recycling and Stabilisation in Local Government. 

 The AusStab Awards of Excellence celebrate advancements in research, best practices, and innovation in pavement recycling and stabilisation, while also recognising emerging talent in the field. 

The Category 4 award acknowledges local government programs that demonstrate effective collaboration between local governments and private sector providers. These programs focus on reducing environmental impact and delivering valuable outcomes to regional communities. 

Completed last year, the Rolleston Runway Strip Rejuvenation Project was a collaborative effort involving Emerald Airport, local civil engineers George Bourne & Associates (GBA), and contractor Stabilised Pavements of Australia (SPA). The project was funded by council and the Australian Government’s Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program round 9. 

Councillor Robert Donaldson, chair of council’s Airport Advisory Committee, commended all involved in the project.  

‘This project exemplifies our local government commitment to innovative and sustainable practices ,’ he said. 

‘This achievement is a testament to the hard work and collaboration of everyone involved. Council is committed to continuing efforts to enhance infrastructure, seek external funding where possible and deliver benefits to our regional communities.’  

Emerald Airport Works Safety Officer and Airport Reporting Officer Rodney Murnane, who played a crucial role in both the planning and execution phases of the project, accepted the award on behalf of council at the gala presentation on 7 August 2024.