Tina O’Connell Wins QUT Award for Achievement in Design
Tina O’Connell, RPEQ, CPEng, NER, MIEAust, an associate director and hydraulic civil engineer based in HDR’s Brisbane, Australia, office, has won the 2024 Queensland University of Technology Award for Achievement in Design. Awarded by the National Association of Women in Construction, this honour celebrates extraordinary achievement in delivering innovative design. O’Connell was named a finalist for this award last month.
The NAWIC awards recognise outstanding women and initiatives that drive progress and inclusivity in the dynamic world of construction. Candidates were evaluated by a panel of industry experts and selected for their innovative design contributions to projects in Queensland that successfully met client objectives.
“Tina’s exceptional dedication and significant contributions to our projects in Australia show not just her professional experience, but also her commitment to elevating our industry and promoting inclusivity within our team,” said Erin Hunt, HDR’s Water Business Group President. “Congratulations to Tina for this well-deserved award!”
O’Connell has more than 35 years of industry experience solving complex infrastructure challenges. Throughout her career, O’Connell has supported design and engineering teams in water resource management, stormwater manager, flood impact assessments, flood studies, floodplain management and dam studies. The NAWIC award nomination recognises O’Connell contribution as an integral part of the team that successfully delivered the Haughton River Floodplain Upgrade Project in Queensland, which demonstrated a profound ability to translate a complex client brief into a cohesive, innovative design.
O’Connell is a member of the National Engineering Register and the Institution of Engineers Australia. She has presented on a range of flood resilience, storm tides and sea level rise topics at various professional organizations. Additionally, she has co-authored key manuals and guidelines, including the Road Drainage Manual for the Queensland Department of Transport. In 2023, she was honoured as a Professional Associate through our global program, which recognises those employees who have distinguished themselves as technical or creative experts in their industries.
