North Queensland’s latest tourist attraction - the spectacular Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway - has been awarded at the Association of Consulting Engineers Australia Awards for Excellence held in Brisbane.
The event, attended by engineering firms from all around the country, showcased 97 of the nation’s top projects across 14 categories.
Arup received a Silver Award of Highly Commended in the 'Community and Urban Development' category, which recognises projects that demonstrate innovation, quality of engineering, client satisfaction, benefit to the community, and value to the profession.
Situated in Wooroonooran National Park near Innisfail, the newly opened Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway is the largest project ever undertaken in a Queensland national park.
The area's traditional owners, the Ma:Mu people, were consulted at every turn so that the walkway development would remain in keeping with their spiritual affinity to the rainforest.
With canopy-level views of highland rainforest, wild rivers, mountains, gorges and rapids, this unique attraction allows large numbers of visitors to experience world heritage rainforest with a minimal and managed environmental footprint.
Innovation, sustainability and cultural sensitivity all contributed to the successful project. The route of the walkway worked with existing canopy clearings that had been made after Cyclone Larry in 2006, and the walkway itself was designed with recycled plastic decking and solar panels to augment the energy supply.
Arup Senior Associate and Cairns office leader, Robert Donnan said: "The Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway is a brilliant piece of infrastructure, and a real community asset for the region, which will contribute an important economic benefit to the local community and North Queensland each year."