Beca celebrates multiple wins at 2024 AIPM Project Management Achievement Awards

Beca was delighted to be recognised at the prestigious Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM), 2024 Project Management Achievement Awards, winning two state chapter awards for Victoria.

The Project Management Achievement Awards (PMAAs) recognise, honour, and promote outstanding achievements in program and project management across Australia. We won in the following categories:

• Project Professional - Melanie Orr 
• Construction/Engineering project – EastLink Resurfacing Project (in partnership with our client, ConnectEast Pty Ltd and Downer Group) 

More about our award winners

Melanie Orr – Project Professional 

A Project Management Associate in Beca’s Australian Airports Team, Melanie performs a leadership role over a portfolio of major aviation projects in Australia. 

She is a strong advocate for applying project management principles for the delivery of her projects, with a clear framework to guide her team in delivering great outcomes for clients. She is passionate about genuine teamwork and enjoys empowering the next generation of project leaders.

Melanie also works part-time and is proud of how she has successfully balanced her career, motherhood, and the unique demands that both roles bring. In reflecting on this achievement, Melanie said:

“I’m honored to have been recognised as the Victorian Project Professional for 2024. Within the airports team at Beca, I have been given the opportunity to work on some great projects at Melbourne Airport. To be recognised for my project delivery is truly humbling. Over the course of my career at Beca, I have been supported by many leaders and peers, and this award wouldn’t have been possible without them”.  

“I’m honored to have been recognised as the Victorian Project Professional for 2024. Within the airports team at Beca, I have been given the opportunity to work on some great projects at Melbourne Airport. To be recognised for my project delivery is truly humbling”

– Melanie Orr, Beca 

EastLink Resurfacing Project 

Described as “Melbourne’s Motorway Masterpiece”, the 39km EastLink is one of Australia’s longest and safest toll roads, carrying 1 billion+ vehicle trips since opening in 2008. 

Every 12-15 years the motorway’s Open Graded Asphalt (OGA) surface needs replacing, and that’s exactly what Beca, working with operator ConnectEast and construction contractor Downer Group made a reality. 

A $50 million construction project of significant length and complexity, through careful project management and engineering smarts, EastLink’s resurfacing works were successfully completed on March 7 2024, ensuring a smoother drive and “time better spent” for motorists in Melbourne’s east for many years ahead. 

However, what’s most impressive are the various challenges Beca, together with ConnectEast and Downer EDI overcame during the 4.5-year project timeframe between November 2019 – March 2024. This included the need to work within specific seasonal windows due to the specialised nature of the OGA surface.  

Construction work was also limited to overnight hours between 8pm and 5am to ensure that EastLink remained fully operational during peak periods, whilst Victoria’s unforeseen COVID restrictions greatly disrupted the availability of key road resurfacing materials.  

“This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our teams and partners, who have ensured that EastLink remains one of Australia’s safest and most efficient motorways”

– Murray Keen, ConnectEast Pty Ltd 

“We are incredibly proud of this achievement,” said Murray Keen, General Manager for Road Operations and Maintenance at client ConnectEast. “This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our teams and partners, who have ensured that EastLink remains one of Australia’s safest and most efficient motorways.” 

His words were echoed by Beca’s Project Superintendent, Hamish Scott who added “This project exemplifies the power of collaboration and meticulous planning in overcoming challenges and delivering a world-class outcome”. 

Both Melanie Orr and the EastLink Resurfacing Project now progress through to the National Project Management Achievement Awards, to be held on Tuesday 22 October at National Convention Centre Canberra. 

Well done to all our fellow 2024 state chapter winners! 

About the Project Management Achievement Awards 

Established in 2000, the Project Management Achievement Awards (PMAAs) exist to recognise, honour, and promote outstanding achievements in program and project management. Each year project teams across Australia submit their projects which are then assessed by a judging panel of project experts. Winners of each category are awarded at two levels: State and National, and presented at the Project Management Achievement Awards event ceremony.