Daracon Group has won the $30 million to $75 million project category at the 2026 Civil Contractors Federation NSW (CCF NSW) Earth Awards. Sponsored by Coates, the industry accolade recognises the civil firm’s emergency engineering rehabilitation of Coulsons Creek Road near Merriwa.
The victory marks the fourth consecutive year the Newcastle-based civil construction firm has secured a state title at the engineering event. The streak includes wins for the Hydro Aluminium Kurri Kurri Site Remediation project in 2025, the Newcastle Ocean Baths in 2024, and the Kooragang Island Waste Emplacement Facility in 2023.
Delivered on behalf of the Upper Hunter Shire Council and backed by joint state and federal funding, the project restored a critical regional freight transport artery that suffered catastrophic structural failure and landslip damage during intense rainfall events in 2021.
Chief Executive Officer of CCF NSW, Kylie Yates noted that regional asset preservation and emergency logistics form a core pillar of the civil contracting sector.
“Civil contractors are the ones called for important maintenance like reopening roads in regional communities or replacing bridges to increase a community’s flood resilience, just as two of our winners did,” Kylie said.
“Civil construction is necessary for every aspect of modern life and CCF NSW is proud to give credit where it is due for excellence in the field.”
The civil scope required operating across volatile, steep mountain terrain in the Upper Hunter. Technical execution encompassed the construction of heavy retaining structures, deep road pavement stabilising, complex structural drainage networks, rockfall protection systems, and the complete engineering replacement of the low-level causeway at the Merriwa end.
Managing Director at Daracon Group, Jon Mingay said navigating complex regional logistics was key to stabilising the vital freight link.
“This was a complex job in a challenging, regional location, but the team produced an excellent outcome,” Jon said. “This road is critical for the communities that depend on it, and we are proud to have delivered something that the region can rely on for years to come.”
The category final involved competing against shortlisted assets from across New South Wales, including Daracon’s alliance partner Arenco, which was nominated for its architectural construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge Cycleway. Officially opened in January 2026, that project replaced the iconic asset’s 55-step northern staircase with a 170-metre elevated active transit ramp.
“It was a great night of celebration alongside our colleagues from Arenco, and is a testament to what the broader Daracon Group is capable of,” Jon added. “We’re proud of the work our teams deliver each and every day, and grateful to CCF NSW for the recognition of the Coulsons Creek Road project.”
Following the state level success, Daracon Group will advance to the CCF National Earth Awards presentation stream, scheduled for Friday 27 November 2026 in Canberra during the CCF Australian Infrastructure Summit.
IMAGE | Daracon Group secures fourth consecutive state civil construction award for regional road restoration
