Reed Constructions Australia Wins 2008 NSW CCF Earth Award for Taronga Zoo Great Southern Oceans exhibit

The Reed Group has been recognised for its civil excellence winning a 2008 NSW CCF Earth Award for Construction Excellence Category 4 for its construction of Taronga Zoo's new Great Southern Oceans exhibit.

The exhibit was officially unveiled in July 2008 and sets a new benchmark in best practice zoo construction providing an impressive home-away-from-home for the Zoo's leopard seals, fur seals, penguin colony, coastal birds and other sea creatures.

At the heart of the new development is the giant leopard seal pool and an expanded 900 seat seal theatre. Six other aquatic areas have been constructed with the creation of walkover bridges and underwater viewing areas to give visitors a breathtaking experience and special insight into animal habits and habitat.

Project Manger Arne Leonard said the Category 4 CCF Award, for projects valued between $20-75 million, provided recognition of Reed's capacity as an organisation to deliver multi-faceted construction projects.

"The Zoo project highlights the synergies Reed is able to achieve across its nine divisions and is a visible demonstration of the technical skills we can bring to a project," says Leonard.

The Taronga Zoo project combined three civil elements, including excavation, concrete pool construction and the engineering of the water and filtration system for the furred and feathered inhabitants.

Leonard says in civil terms the Zoo project was unique.

"There are not too many projects of this type which incorporate multiple civil aspects," says Leonard. "The Great Southern Oceans Exhibit was not your typical road, it was not a bridge or a conglomeration of these. It was something different and special and I think the judges saw this too."

The initial excavation at Taronga Zoo presented a distinctive civil challenge due its location. The excavation took place in an operational Zoo, with minimal access, and in a Sydney residential zone. There were also environmental issues associated with working close to Sydney Harbour.