Diona Celebrates Success in Urban Utilities’ Crew of the Quarter Awards

We are excited to share that Diona’s Water North Zones Program team has been recognised with four out of the five categories of Urban Utilities’ Crew of the Quarter Awards. These achievements highlight the outstanding dedication of our teams in delivering excellence across customer care, safety, environmental leadership, and innovation.

Customer Care Award: WP17.1 Rode Road, Chermside – Francy Betancourt

Francy Betancourt, Project Engineer, has been recognised for her exceptional commitment to customer care. When a business customer raised concerns about noise, access, and potential financial losses, Francy proactively engaged with them and revised the Traffic Management Plan to minimise disruption. Her dedication to maintaining open communication and ensuring smooth access not only reduced complaints but also fostered a positive relationship with the customer and client, truly reflecting Diona’s customer-centric approach.

Safety First Award: WP017 Water Main Replacement Program – John McCusker

John McCusker and his crew were recognised for their outstanding safety initiatives while working on Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley. Identifying the risks of working in a high-traffic area, John’s team went above and beyond by adding extra traffic controllers, ensuring safe access for pedestrians and commuters. This proactive approach demonstrates Diona’s ongoing commitment to putting safety at the forefront of everything we do.

Environmental Leader Award: WP012 Esk Reservoir – Jesse Ottaway

Jesse Ottaway, Diona’s Community Engagement Officer, showed leadership in environmental care by donating Eucalyptus branches cleared from the Esk Reservoir project to Somerset Sanctuary, a local wildlife rescue. This initiative supported the rehabilitation of local wildlife, such as wallabies and possums, reinforcing our commitment to protecting the environment for future generations.

Innovator Award: WP012 Esk Reservoir Project – Joe Vuletich & Esk Project Team

Joe Vuletich, working with our valued Aboriginal-owned partner Girri Birrang, proposed an innovative solution to reuse rock boulders at the Esk Reservoir project for erosion control and drainage. This idea eliminated site waste, reduced costs, and supported environmental sustainability.

Innovator Award: Diona Engagement and Project Team, Esk Reservoir and Esk Show

Diona’s Engagement and Project Team were recognised for their creativity and community engagement efforts at the May 2024 Esk Show. The team brought an excavator to the event, which was a huge success, delighting both children and adults. This interactive experience allowed the community to learn more about the Esk Reservoir project while fostering a positive connection with Diona and Urban Utilities. The event’s success was made possible by the seamless collaboration between the site crew and engagement team, demonstrating Diona’s commitment to going beyond infrastructure and engaging with the communities we serve.

Celebrating Together

All winners were honoured with a celebratory lunch, where the broader team joined to recognise their achievements, and Urban Utilities presented them with their awards.

Graeme Hall, Program Director, reflected on the team’s accomplishments:
“These awards are a testament to the dedication and hard work of our teams, who continually strive to deliver excellence across every aspect of our projects. I am incredibly proud of their achievements and the recognition from Urban Utilities, which highlights our commitment to safety, innovation, and building strong relationships with the communities we serve.”

We are incredibly proud of our team’s achievements and look forward to continuing our work delivering safe, sustainable, and community-focused infrastructure solutions.