2026 award winners
We are proud to celebrate the remarkable achievements and contributions of engagement practitioners across Australasia. Your dedication to delivering meaningful, inclusive, and innovative engagement continues to raise the standard for our profession.
Thank you for the incredible work you do — and for helping shape stronger, more connected communities through engagement.
Winner | Australasia Organisation of the Year Award
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi
Winner | Australasia Project of the Year Award
From Consultation to Commitment: Designing Australia’s First National Autism Strategy with the Autistic community
Submitted by The Social Deck
Winner | Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
Co-design for culturally informed PFAS communication
Submitted by True North Strategic Communication
Highly Commended | Construction
Warringah Freeway Upgrade – Acting on Feedback to Mitigate the Construction Impact for Two Million Motorists and 10,000 Residents of a Nine Month off Ramp Closure on NSW’s Busiest Road
Submitted by Transport for NSW in a joint venture between CPB Contractors, a CIMIC Group company and DT Infrastructure, a Gamuda company
Highly Commended | Disaster and Emergency Planning Response
Northern Rivers Community Flood Risk Awareness Project
Submitted by NSW Reconstruction Authority, NSW State Emergency Service, Cred Consulting
NSW Reconstruction Authority Resilient Homes Program – Central West
Submitted by NSW Reconstruction Authority
Highly Commended | Energy
Cutting Trees, Not Corners: Transparent Engagement for High-Risk Vegetation Removal in Tropical Cairns
Submitted by Powerlink Queensland
Winner | Environment
Deciding the Future of A F Thomas Park: A Much-Loved Public Asset Being Reimagined for Stormwater Management, Community Connection and Recreation
Submitted by Auckland Council
Highly Commended | Health & Social Infrastructure
Dalby Cultural Centre and Thomas Jack Park Precinct 2024 – 2025 Engagement Phases
Submitted by Fourfold Studio, Western Downs Regional Council, Blaklash, OMA, Anna O’Gorman Architects, Flexure and Phil Smith
Highly Commended | Planning
Transform Logan – A bold Ambition to Improve the Quality of Life for Current and Future Generations Who Call Logan Home
Submitted by Logan City Council, Articulous
Winner | Planning
Towards 2050 Shaping Cairns Growth Strategy Engagement Program
Submitted by Cairns Regional Council, Leisa Prowse Consulting
Highly Commended | Policy & Reform
One Talk at a Time: Inspiring Child Safety Conversations with Diverse Communities
Submitted by Cultural Perspectives
Winner | Policy & Reform
From Consultation to Commitment: Designing Australia’s First National Autism Strategy with the Autistic Community
Submitted by The Social Deck
Highly Commended | Transport
Tracks That Divided, A Bridge That United: How Engagement Shaped Parkdale’s Legacy
Submitted by VIDA Rail, State Government of Victoria
Highly Commended | Water
From Flood Maps to Community Resilience: A Transformational Shift in the Delivery of Flood Information Services
Submitted by Melbourne Water
Winner | People’s Choice Award
Warringah Freeway Upgrade – Acting on Feedback to Mitigate the Construction Impact for Two Million Motorists and 10,000 Residents of a Nine Month Off Ramp Closure on NSW’s Busiest Road
Submitted by Transport for NSW and the CPB Contractors and DT Infrastructure joint venture
Past Winners
To read all our past winners case studies, you will need to login as a member and search through our resource library.
Australasia Organisation of the Year | Winner
Latrobe Health Assembly: The IAP2 Core Values in Action. Submitted by Submitted by Latrobe Health Assembly
Project of the Year | Winner
Boorloo Bridge: Building a Bridge Between Two Cultures. Submitted by Causeway Link Alliance and partner organisations: 361 Degrees Strategic Engagement and Communications, Hassell, Element Advisory, Indigenous Economic Solutions, Aboriginal Land Services and the Department of Transport.
Planning | Winner
Love Where You Live: The Community Vision Journey. Submitted by City of Onkaparinga.
Planning | Highly Commended
Federal Village Master Plan. Submitted by Central Coast Council, Transport for NSW.
Infrastructure (Planning & Design) | Highly Commended
The Wilman Wadandi Highway: More Than Just a Road. Submitted by South West Gateway Alliance and Main Roads WA.
Infrastructure (Construction) | Winner
Bridging the Divide – Connecting the Community Over a Rail Trench. Submitted by Level Crossing Removal Project.
Energy | Winner
Jemena Electricity Networks AER 2026–2031 Price Reset Proposal. Submitted by Jemena Electricity Networks.
Energy | Highly Commended
#BetterTogether Power Outage Planning. Submitted by the Energy Charter Limited (on behalf of signatories including Essential Energy, SA Power Networks, AusNet Services, Endeavour Energy and others)
Environment | Winner
Port Phillip Urban Forest Strategy. Submitted by Port Phillip City Council.
Health | Highly Commended
Sexual Health Awareness in Multicultural Communities. Submitted by Cultural Perspectives.
Disaster & Emergency Services | Highly Commended
Innovative Ways to Engage on Flood Risk Management. Submitted by NSW Reconstruction Authority.
Disaster & Emergency Services | Highly Commended
Recovery Engagement: Bringing the Community in Behind the Barriers on State Highway 1 Brynderwyn Hills. Submitted by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.
Community Development | Winner
Guilford Laneway – Safer Cities: Her Way Cumberland. Submitted by Cumberland City Council
Community Development | Highly Commended
METRONET Noongar Place Names Initiative: Moving Past Compliance Towards a Noongar-led Approach. Submitted by METRONET.
Indigenous – Māori | Winner
Consulting with Bay of Plenty Māori on Te Mahere Tūroa. Submitted by Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council
Indigenous – Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander | Winner
Boorloo Bridge: Building a Bridge Between Two Cultures. Submitted by Causeway Link Alliance and partner organisations: 361 Degrees Strategic Engagement and Communications, Hassell, Element Advisory, Indigenous Economic Solutions, Aboriginal Land Services and the Department of Transport
Indigenous – Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander | Winner
Doomadgee Future Planning Project. Submitted by Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council, Circ Design, Meridian Urban and Queensland Government.
Smart Budget | Winner
Federal Village Master Plan. Submitted by Byron Shire Council and the Federal Village Master Plan Steering Group.
Excellence Award | Winner
Doomadgee Future Planning Project. Submitted by Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council, Circ Design, Meridian Urban & Queensland Government.
Excellence Award | Winner
Federal Village Masterplan. Submitted by Byron Shire Council & Federal Village Masterplan Steering Group
Australasia Organisation of the Year | Winner
Refining Engagement in Cockburn: Fostering a Culture of Collaboration. Submitted by City of Cockburn.
Project of the Year | Winner
Marlborough Sounds Future Access Study. Submitted by Marlborough District Council.
Project of the Year | Highly Commended
Central Coast Safer Cities: Her Way Project. Submitted by Central Coast Council, Transport for NSW.
Health | Highly Commended
Setting Primary Health and Social Care Priorities Using a Deliberative Democratic Participatory Approach. Submitted by WentWest, Western Sydney Primary Health Network (WSPHN).
Indigenous | Winner
Subi East: How a New Approach to Aboriginal Engagement is Empowering Careers. Submitted by DevelopmentWA.
Environment | Winner
Shaping Unley – Building Greener Neighbourhoods Together. Submitted by City of Unley.
Environment | Highly Commended
Sustainable Infrastructure Program. Submitted by Transport for NSW.
Planning | Winner
Te Tupu Ngātahi Supporting Growth Alliance Programme of Engagement. Submitted by Auckland Transport, New Zealand Transport Agency, Waka Kotahi, AECOM, Beca, Bell Gully, Buddle Findlay.
Planning | Highly Commended
Your Region, Your Vision: The Central Highlands 2043 Community Vision. Submitted by Central Highlands Regional Council, Articulous.
Infrastructure (Construction) | Winner
Bridging the Divide – Connecting the Community Over a Rail Trench. Submitted by Level Crossing Removal Project.
Infrastructure (Construction) | Highly Commended
The Rookwood Weir Project: Growing Communities with Water. Submitted by Sunwater.
Infrastructure (Planning & Design) | Winner
Tweed Valley Hospital Development – Adversity to Advocacy. Submitted by Health Infrastructure Northern NSW Local Health District.
Infrastructure (Planning & Design) | Highly Commended
Public Engagement for Victoria’s Latest Trains and Trams. Submitted by The Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, Alstom, Capire Consulting.
Infrastructure (Planning & Design) | Highly Commended
Painting the Full Picture: Sunshine Coast’s Future Transport Solution. Submitted by Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads.
Disaster & Emergency Services | Highly Commended
Illawarra Shoalhaven Regional Adaptive Planning Pathways Pilot Project. Submitted by Cred Consulting, NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, The Gaimaragal Group.
Research Award | Winner
Moreton Says: Hearing the Missing Voices, submitted by Moreton Bay Regional Council (MBRC).
Australasia Organisation of the Year | Winner
Share Your Thoughts. Shape our Future – Engaging Wannon, submitted by Wannon Water.
Project of the Year | Winner
Brisbane Metro Project – Delivering an Inclusive Public Transport Solution, submitted by Brisbane City Council.
Planning | Winner
Citizens’ Assembly on the Next Source of Water for Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, submitted by University of Auckland.
Planning | Highly Commended
Inner Spark, submitted by Brisbane City Council.
Planning | Highly Commended
Place Naming for a Brand New City – Waraba, submitted by Moreton Bay Regional Council.
Infrastructure (Planning & Design) | Highly Commended
Collaborative, Co-designed and Youth-centred Community Benefit Sharing, submitted by TasNetworks and RPS Group.
Infrastructure (Planning & Design) | Highly Commended
Preston Open Space Advisory Panel: Collaborating with Community, submitted by The Preston Open Space Advisory Panel (POSAP).
Infrastructure (Construction) | Winner
Fitzsimons Lane Upgrade, submitted by Major Road Projects Victoria.
Community Development | Winner
Enabling Public Participation Through the Community Wellbeing Advisory Forum, submitted by Alexandrina Council.
Community Development | Judges Encouragement
Melrose Park Community Development Project submitted by BROOKS Community Engagement; PAYCE Consolidated Pty Ltd & Sekisui House Holdings Pty Ltd.
Health | Highly Commended
Heart Safe Communities, Equipping Residents and Communities to be First Responders submitted by BROOKS Community Engagement and Michael Hughes Foundation.
Health | Highly Commended
TALK ABOUT – Gaining Community Insights to Improve the Primary Care System, submitted by Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN.
Indigenous | Winner
He Tohu Huarahi Māori: How Māori Language Champions Changed School Traffic Signs. Submitted by Te Mātāwai, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.
Environment | Winner
Moreton Bay’s Living Coast Plan. Submitted by Moreton Bay Regional Council.
Research Award | Highly Commended
The Value of Deliberative Democracy, submitted by MosaicLab.
Australasia Organisation of the Year | Highly Commended
Our Journey to Excellence in Engagement, submitted by Sunshine Coast Council.
Australasia Organisation of the Year | Highly Commended
Ausgrid’s transformative journey: empowerment through public participation, submitted by Ausgrid.
Project of the Year | Winner
Te Hiku Revitalisation, submitted by Far North District Council.
Planning | Winner
Tomorrow Together, submitted by Capire Consulting & City of Launceston.
Planning | Winner
Amplifying Unheard Voices to Deliver What All Customers Value, submitted by Yarra Valley Water & MosaicLab.
Infrastructure (Planning & Design) | Winner
Beachmere Shoreline Management Project: A Collaborative Approach to Difficult Decisions, submitted by Moreton Bay Regional Council.
Infrastructure (Planning & Design) | Highly Commended
Zero Emissions Vehicle Community Panel, submitted by Infrastructure Victoria & Capire Consulting Group.
Infrastructure (Planning & Design) | Highly Commended
Reimagining Your Moonee Ponds Creek, submitted by Melbourne Water.
Infrastructure (Construction) | Winner
M6 Stage 1 - Community and Recreation Facilites, submitted by Transport for NSW, Ertech, DesignInc, Larke Industries.
Infrastructure (Construction) | Highly Commended
Armadale Road to North Lake Road Bridge, submitted by Main Roads, Armadale Access Alliance.
Indigenous | Winner
Aboriginal Engagement Framework - Knowing and Valuing Local Aboriginal People and Communities, submitted by Wollongong City Council.
Health | Highly Commended
Testing and Trust: Building Community Engagement and Stopping the Spread of COVID-19 in Victoria, Australia, submitted by Victorian Department of Health, and all 9 Local Public Health Units across the state of Victoria.
Environment | Winner
Water for our Future: how can we create a water future that balances all our needs? Submitted by Barwon Water & MosaicLab.
Disaster & Emergency Services | Highly Commended
NSW Bushfire Clean Up Project: An ethical and agile approach to engaging with communities after the Black Summer Bushfires of 2019-20. Submitted by WSP Laing O'Rourke, NSW Public Works Advsiory.
Disaster & Emergency Services | Highly Commended
Multicultural NSW’s Community Connectors Project: A COVID-19 Response Project, submitted by Multicultural NSW.
Community Development | Winner
Te Hiku Revitalisation, submitted by Far North District Council.
Community Development | Highly Commended
Case Study: City of Parramatta Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022 – 2026, submitted by City of Parramatta.
Australasia Organisation of the Year | Winner
Community Engagement in Australian Local Government: The Practice and its Pressures, submitted by Level Crossing Removal Project.
Project of the Year | Winner
Whakahekerau – Rakiatea Rautaki Tai: A community’s vision for a resilient coast, submitted by Dunedin City Council, WSP.
Community Development | Winner
Meters gained - Barwon Water partners with Birregurra community, submitted by Barwon Water.
Environment | Winner
Developing the City of Cockburn’s Climate Change Strategy, submitted by City of Cockburn.
Health | Highly Commended
Multicultural communities stopping a pandemic in its tracks!, submitted by democracyCo, Department of Health South Australia.
Indigenous | Winner
Aboriginal Development Managers: bringing Aboriginal culture and knowledge into the heart of land development in Western Australia, submitted by DevelopmentWA; Karda Designs; Gundi Consulting; Yunga Foundation; Brave and Curious.
Indigenous | Winner
Te Ara Tupua - partnering with iwi mana whenua to connect two cities, submitted by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.
Infrastructure (Construction) | Highly Commended
Christchurch Northern Corridor motorway project, submitted by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, Christchurch City Council, Fulton Hogan, Aurecon and Jacobs.
Infrastructure (Construction) | Winner
Reimagining Your Moonee Ponds Creek, submitted by Melbourne Water.
Infrastructure (Construction) | Winner
Apex Park Co-design, submitted by Rail Projects Victoria, CPB Contractors, Design Jam.
Infrastructure (Planning and Design) | Highly Commended
How Omokoroa’s playground adventurers and Council came together to co-design the new Omokoroa Domain Playground, Western Bay of Plenty District Council.
Infrastructure (Planning and Design) | Highly Commended
Victoria Park Project - Vision Engagement, submitted by Brisbane City Council.
Infrastructure (Planning and Design) | Winner
Mental Health Beds Expansion Program, submitted by Victorian Health Building Authority.
Planning | Highly Commended
Logan Community Vision - At the Heart of Council’s Decisions, submitted by Logan City Council, Articulous.
Planning | Highly Commended
Watts our energy future: the power of engagement, submitted by Ausgrid.
Planning | Winner
Whakahekerau – Rakiatea Rautaki Tai: A community’s vision for a resilient coast, submitted by Dunedin City Council, WSP.
2020 Core Values Awards Showcase Booklet
View all 2020 Core Values Awards winning projects.
2019 Core Values Awards Showcase Booklet
View all 2019 Core Values Awards winning projects.
2018 Core Values Awards Showcase Booklet
View all 2018 Core Values Awards winning projects.
2017 Core Values Awards Showcase Booklet
View all 2017 Core Values Awards winning projects.
2016 Core Values Awards Showcase Booklet
View all 2016 Core Values Awards winning projects.
2015 Core Values Awards Showcase Booklet
View all 2015 Core Values Awards winning projects.
2014 Core Values Awards Showcase Booklet
View all 2014 Core Values Awards winning projects.
2013 Core Values Awards Showcase Booklet
View all 2013 Core Values Awards winning projects.
