BAC Shines At AIPM Project Management Achievement Awards

Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) has taken out four awards at the Queensland Chapter of the Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM) Project Management Achievement Awards (PMAAs) 2021.

Now in its 21st year, the PMAAs celebrate project management excellence across 13 categories for both organisations and individuals, with the Queensland Chapter presenting its awards during a virtual event last night.

BAC’s Andre Cortez was named Project Professional of the Year for his work as Project Manager across a range of different projects at Brisbane Airport including the Domestic Terminal Skylight Replacement, and Paul Coughlan was named Senior Project Professional of the Year for his role as Project Director of Brisbane’s new runway.

There was even more reason to celebrate as the night unfolded, with Brisbane’s new runway named project winner in the Construction/Engineering category and the Domestic Terminal Skylight Replacement named the winner in the small projects category.

BAC CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said the awards are an incredible testament to the depth of talent and expertise at BAC.

“I am a firm believer that airports are never finished – there is always work to be done and improvements to be make – and it is people like Andre and Paul who steer the ship in delivering world-class infrastructure at Brisbane Airport,” Mr de Graaff said.

The Domestic Terminal Skylight Replacement was a $6 million project completed late last year that required the replacement of more than 1,000 glass panels spanning 480m of the terminal roof.

“Andre delivered one of the most unique and complex projects in recent Brisbane Airport history in managing the Domestic Terminal Skylight Replacement, and he did so by achieving exceptional safety outcomes and cost efficiencies.

“What is even more extraordinary is that all of this was achieved and delivered within a live, operational terminal.”

Brisbane’s new runway was under construction for eight years and officially opening on 12 July 2020. It is expected to generate 7,800 new jobs and an additional $5 billion in annual economic benefit to the region by 2035.

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“As Project Director for the $1.1 billion project, Paul oversaw planning, feasibility studies, regulatory approvals, procurement strategy, cost management, environment, tendering, contracts award, and construction delivery.

“It is rare to have someone lead a project for the length of time Paul has, and I cannot commend him enough for the leadership and integrity he displayed throughout. It never wavered, despite the challenges that arose during his 16 years leading the project.

“I must also extend my congratulations and thanks to the Skyway team, a joint venture between BMD Construction and CPB Contractors, for assembling an expert team that were agile and committed.”

Andre, Paul, and BAC’s two award-winning projects will progress through to the national awards, which will be presented at the AIPM National Conference in early 2022.