QMCA Innovation and Excellence Awards
Welcome to the QMCA Innovation and Excellence Awards.
The annual QMCA Innovation and Excellence Awards are back to celebrate the outstanding work that our members, partners and suppliers undertake in Queensland, celebrating the best projects, people, programs and initiatives from 2025.
Our Awards long lunch on Friday 20th March will welcome over 500 leaders from the contracting, engineering, consulting, government and industry environments.
This year, we’ll continue to showcase the brightest and best that our industry has to offer.
AWARD CATEGORIES
There are eight categories in this year’s awards designed to reflect the people and projects from across our industry. To learn more about each award and to submit an expression of interest, please click on the links below:
- Ian Harrington Collaboration Award – This award recognises outstanding collaboration across construction and includes project teams, client/contractor partnerships, and supply chain partnerships.
- Dale Gilbert Lifetime Achievement Award – This award recognises the contribution Dale Gilbert made to infrastructure in Queensland. This is an individual award that recognises an individual for their outstanding career in infrastructure and for living up to the values Dale lived by. Finalists for this Award are selected by the lead judges from the award judging panels. The Dale Gilbert Lifetime Achievement Award does not require an EOI – Information for this award will be released at the submission phase.
- Cbus Superfund Project of the Year Over $100M Award – This award recognises the best project delivered over $100m in Queensland and should showcase design and delivery.
- Project of the Year Under $100M Award –This award recognises the best project delivered under $100m in Queensland and should showcase design and delivery.
- Design, Technology and Innovation Award – This award celebrates the use of design, technology and innovation in the construction sector and is suitable for initiatives that demonstrate great design technological innovations as well as digital initiatives that support productivity and collaboration.
- Construction Professional of the Year Award – This award highlights who has advanced our sector through their leadership and commitment to the values that we share.
- 4020 Consult Emerging Professional of the Year Award – This award recognises an individual who has made an impact during the early stage of their construction career regardless of age or past career.
- Sustainability and Community Award –This award highlights sustainability and/or community and stakeholder engagement in construction. This category includes developments in commercial and contractual sustainability, infrastructure design and environmental and material use, community programs, local content initiatives and workforce engagement programs.
Contractors, design consultants, subcontractors and suppliers are invited to submit their entries in their chosen category.
AWARD CRITERIA
Please CLICK HERE to download the criteria for each award.
AWARD TIMINGS
- Expressions of Interest – 3 November to 14 November 2025 – A simple EOI to be completed via the QMCA website
- Submissions – 24 November 2025 to 9 January 2026 – A more detailed submission including project overview and imagery to match against the Award criteria and submitted via QMCA Website
- Judging Panels and Presentations – 19 January to 13 February 2026 – Presentation and Q&A with the Judging panel.
- Awards Event – Friday 20 March 2026
AWARDS PROCESS
This year the award submissions comprise three elements:
- Part 1 – Expressions of Interest – 3 November to 14 November 2025 – This year’s expression of interest process will be deliberately simple – it is used to verify entries meet the core criteria for the awards. We will need the following information:
- Contact name
- Organisation
- Contact email
- Contact number
- Award Category
- Entry Name
- Project Completion Date (project entries only)
- Project Location (project entries only)
- Part 2 – Online Submission – 24 November 2025 to 9 January 2026 – A more detailed submission including project overview and imagery to match against the Award criteria and submitted via QMCA Website. Comprising no more than 500 words using the Submission Form on the relevant award page, your award submission should represent achievements that showcase innovation and excellence in the Queensland civil infrastructure sector and files can be submitted as part of the entry submission.
- Part 3 – Judging Panel interview and Q&A – 19 January to 13 February 2026
A 30-minute panel interview will be held with the judges for your nominated category from 19 January 2026. It will comprise a 15-minute presentation to the judging panel followed by a 15-minute Q&A.
Expressions of Interest
Please complete the following form to submit an expression of interest.
2025 QMCA Awards EOI
Expression of Interest Form 2025 QMCA Awards
💡 Want to maximise your involvement? Consider becoming a QMCA member for exclusive event discounts and year-round benefits.
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact media@qmca.com.au
Our Supporters
We could not put on the awards and recognise the best in construction and infrastructure without the support of our wonderful partners. Learn more about them below!
4020 Consult
Awards Sponsor
At 4020 Consult, we’re all about “Connecting people & projects”. Based in Queensland, we specialise in Infrastructure and Utilities, helping businesses source the talent they need to succeed. It all started in 2017 when we decided to do things a little differently—steering away from the usual transactional approach and focusing on building genuine, long-lasting partnerships.
We’ve found that success comes down to one thing: People. That’s why we focus on delivering more than just talent—we bring the right people to the right roles, making sure our clients and candidates feel supported every step of the way. Whether it’s finding standout professionals, assembling project teams, or adding expertise to in-house operations, we’re here to help businesses thrive and create lasting impact.
As we’ve grown, we’ve stayed true to our roots, making sure every client—big or small—gets the same high level of service. We feel lucky to work with some amazing businesses and to see the positive change we help bring to their teams. At 4020 Consult, it’s not just about finding talent—it’s about driving success, together.
Learn more about 4020 by downloading their key information HERE
Cbus
Awards Sponsor
The national super fund for your industry
As one of Australia’s leading industry super funds, we are focused on providing strong long term retirement outcomes* for members and helping employers manage their business superannuation needs.
With Cbus, you can expect simple administration, superannuation support and reliable service when and where you need it.
The super environment can be complex to navigate, which is why we are here to support and keep you informed about legislative or industry changes so you can focus on what you do best – building your business.
Visit cbussuper.com.au or call 1300 361 784 to find out how Cbus Super can support your business super needs.
*Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
This information is about Cbus and doesn’t take into account your specific needs. You should look at your own financial position, objectives and requirements before making any financial decisions. Read the relevant Cbus Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination to decide if Cbus is right for you. Call 1300 361 784 or visit cbussuper.com.au for a copy.
United Super Pty Ltd ABN 46 006 261 623 AFSL 233792 as Trustee for the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund ABN 75 493 363 262 (Cbus and/or Cbus Super)
Coates
Awards Sponsor
John Coates founded the company in 1885 to support Victoria’s growing gold-rush cities – and we’ve been supporting Australian industry ever since.
From our early days importing and manufacturing machinery, we evolved into an equipment hire firm and helped pioneer the rental business in Australia.
As we continued to expand our fleet to service the booming mining, infrastructure and construction industries, we became the nation’s largest equipment hire company.
But we don’t just provide the tools and machinery. We provide an end-to-end solution – equipment rental and specialist engineering, industrial and power & HVAC services, all under one roof.
We’re also a company of problem-solvers. A well-oiled machine of engineers, installation experts and shutdown managers, equipped to take on any challenge.
From equipment hire and temporary works engineering to industrial shutdowns and power & HVAC services, you can trust Coates to provide equipment and expertise, whenever and wherever you need it.
Coates. Equipped for anything.
Learn more about Coates and their services by downloading their prospectus HERE
IPS
Awards Sponsor
IPS provides dynamic project management, planning and engineering services to the infrastructure and broader construction sectors, offering expert technical and advisory services across the full project lifecycle – from project development phases, transaction and procurement processes, through to design and delivery of complex, large-scale, and sensitive projects.
Read more about our projects here: www.ipsorg.com.au/experience
Bringing together a team of over 30 highly skilled professionals and leveraging our trusted network of reputable industry partners, IPS delivers optimal project outcomes on the most challenging engineering projects through our best-in-class efficiency, diligence and collaboration with our clients. Our proven difference is the powerful blend of project management expertise and rich technical acumen we bring to each project, enabling IPS to cover a broad range of our clients’ needs and provide the required solutions with a high degree of understanding and efficiency.
Our portfolio spans government agencies, Tier 1 contractors, local councils, and specialist consultants, giving us a 360-degree view that powers integrated, transparent, and customised solutions at any project stage.
Maintaining a non-negotiable standard of excellence, IPS is leading the way in forging a new benchmark of quality for the infrastructure sector.
Learn more about IPS by downloading their Capability Statement HERE.
