Surveying Success: Daracon Secures Two EISSI Award Finalist Spots

Daracon Group is proud to announce that two of its nominations in the NSW Excellence in Surveying & Spatial Information (EISSI) Awards have been named as finalists. Joshua Grima in the Vocational Student of the Year and Coulsons Creek Road Merriwa (MR358) in the Project of the Year – Infrastructure & Construction categories.

Each year, the EISSI Awards celebrate excellence within the survey and spatial information profession, bringing together professionals, organisations, and influential stakeholders from across the public, private, and education sectors.

Named as a finalist in the Vocational Student of the Year category, Joshua Grima began his Traineeship with Daracon in 2021 where he completed his Certificate III and Certificate IV in Surveying and Spatial Information Service studies part-time at TAFE. In 2024, he commenced his Diploma of Surveying, which he successfully obtained in December 2025. Throughout his studies, he balanced TAFE commitments with work on major infrastructure projects, including the four-year Kellyville Memorial Avenue Upgrade for Transport for NSW.

Amongst his colleagues, Joshua has become recognised for his eagerness to learn, technical capability, reliability, and ability to go beyond what would typically be expected of a Trainee Surveyor.

“Joshua has shown as exceptional commitment to both his education and his work. He is a great example of what can be achieved through a vocational pathway in surveying and construction, and this shortlist acknowledgement is a testament to that,” said Malcolm Harvey, Survey Manager at Daracon Group.

Additionally, in the Project of the Year – Infrastructure & Construction category, Daracon’s work at Coulson’s Creek Road has received finalist recognition.

The complex project involved restoring a transport route that had been closed for almost five years following a major landslip. The scope of the project was to stabilise the site, rehabilitate the land slip and re-establish the critical regional connection between the Upper Hunter and Liverpool Plains Shires. After an accelerated planning phase, Daracon adopted a collaborative, joint‑venture‑style delivery model with TfNSW, NSW Public Works and Upper Hunter Shire Council. With major assistance of Daracon Survey, this approach enabled real‑time design verification, rapid decision‑making and pragmatic constructability solutions as actual site conditions diverged significantly from tender‑stage assumptions.

The project has since been widely recognised by Council and Government representatives as a benchmark for regional infrastructure rebuilds, and was named the winner in the the $35 - $75 million project category at the 2026 Civil Contractors Federation NSW (CCF NSW) Earth Awards

“Coulsons Creek was a good example of the value that survey can add to a project, beyond the traditional scope of a role. Our information helped shape decisions, reduce rework and keep the construction team moving in what was a very challenging environment,” said Malcolm.

“We are proud to see both nominations progress to the finalist stage of the EISSI Awards,” he said.

Winners will be announced at the award night on Saturday 19 September, held at the Hyatt Regency in Sydney.