Return to Previous

Daracon Site Remediation Project Nominated for 2025 Engineering Excellence Award

News | Monday, 28th July 2025

Fresh off the back of the CCF NSW Earth Award win, Daracon Group has been named as one of nine nominees in the Project of the Year category at the Engineers Australia Engineering Excellence Awards – Newcastle Division, recognising the company’s exceptional work on the Hydro Aluminium Kurri Kurri Site Remediation project. 

This landmark project involved the safe and environmentally responsible remediation of the former Hydro Aluminium smelter site in Loxford, NSW—once a major employer in the Hunter Valley and a key part of Australia’s industrial heritage. Daracon’s team undertook complex earthworks and contamination management across the expansive site, setting new benchmarks in civil engineering and remediation excellence. This project also won the $30 - $75M Category at the Civil Contractors Federation (CCF) NSW 2025 Earth Awards event and will go on to represent the state at the National final later this year.  

Despite challenges such as unexpected waste discoveries and adverse weather conditions, the project was delivered with precision, resilience, and a strong commitment to engineering excellence. The scale of the works was monumental, and Daracon’s extensive fleet and experienced personnel were instrumental in its success. 

Rob Francis, who worked on the Hydro Aluminium Kurri Kurri as the Daracon Group Project Manager, said “This job was extremely complex, both in terms of the bulk earthworks and the rigorous site requirements and showcases what’s possible when applying engineering excellence to site remediation.” 

The Engineers Australia Excellence Awards celebrate engineering projects that demonstrate innovation, impact, and excellence. Local winners will be announced on Wednesday 17 September, 2025 at Noah’s on the Beach.   

Daracon Group congratulates all nominees and thanks Engineers Australia for recognising the transformative power of engineering that shapes the future. Find out more about Daracon’s long standing expertise in site remediation here.