“This is fantastic recognition of the efforts of all involved in the DPI project management team,“ DPI Executive Director Biosecurity NSW Bruce Christie said.

“The project was named Best Project Under A$100 million, and Best Project of the Year, while Tony McCabe of NSW Department of Public Works was named Best Project Manager.

“The awards were presented at a gala NSW: Project Management Achievement Awards event in Sydney,“ he said.

“The judges were particularly impressed with the complex challenges overcome in constructing the multi-faceted, highly technical laboratories to the latest international standards.

“It is a tribute to all the hardworking people who ensured the construction was delivered to the highest standards, 12 months ahead of time and within budget.

“The works have brought EMAI up to the latest international laboratory standards and will help protect NSW from animal, plant and aquatic pests and diseases for decades to come.

“The facilities play a major role in safeguarding the State’s A$9 billion primary industries sector from pests and diseases.“

Mr Christie said DPI had led a number of biosecurity breakthroughs from EMAI, including Hendra research, development of pestivirus vaccines and rabbit control measures.

“EMAI also played an instrumental role eradicating equine influenza in 2007 and 2008 - spearheading the single largest response to an exotic disease Australia has seen.“

The new Centre includes:

• new plant biosecurity facilities capable of handling a large scale emergency plant disease outbreak;
• new high level containment facilities to expand EMAI's capacity to handle a large scale emergency animal disease outbreak; and
• upgrades of site infrastructure including waste management, power, gas, site security and stormwater management.

The construction phase took about 90 weeks with up to 100 site workers on the job at any given time.

The EMAI project will now go on to be considered in the national awards.