Logan City Council’s Acting Director of Roads and Water Daryl Ross has been named Australia’s top water professional.
He received the Australian Water Professional of the Year Award on Thursday night at OzWater20, the nation’s leading water industry event.
City of Logan Mayor Darren Power said Mr Ross’ visionary leadership transformed Council’s water business.
“The creation of the Logan Water Infrastructure Alliance, now known as the Logan Water Partnership, was a real game-changer for the city’s water and wastewater services,” Cr Power said.
“Daryl and long-time colleague, Logan Water Infrastructure Manager Tony Goodhew, broke convention to form a public and private sector water infrastructure program alliance.
“Since then they have delivered more than $500 million of services for our community.
“This award is well-deserved recognition of Daryl’s lifetime of achievements in managing and enhancing public utilities.”
Logan Water has pioneered ground-breaking projects including the Round Mountain Reservoir at New Beith, an Australian-first solution to managing water quality in remote locations.
More recently, Mr Ross has overseen the development of the Cedar Grove Environmental Centre, which is on track to become one of Australia’s most sustainable wastewater treatment facilities.
He also helped secure one of the world’s first biosolids gasification facilities, which will see sewage sludge converted into fertilizer and heat energy at the Loganholme Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Leading water professionals from across Australia were also in the running for the award.
Mr Ross became eligible after winning the Queensland Water Professional of the Year award last year.
Australian Water Awards are an initiative of the Australian Water Association.
