Coulsons Creek Road Rehabilitation Takes Out 2026 CCF NSW Earth Award

Daracon Group has taken out the win in the $30 – $75 million project category, sponsored by Coates, at the 2026 Civil Contractors Federation NSW (CCF NSW) Earth Awards, recognized for the rehabilitation of Coulson’s Creek Road Merriwa (MR358).

The result marks a fourth consecutive win for Daracon Group at the state’s premier civil construction event, following wins for the Hydro Aluminium Kurri Kurri Site Remediation project in 2025, the Newcastle Ocean Baths in 2024, and the Kooragang Island Waste Emplacement Facility in 2023. This year’s winning project, the Coulsons Creek Road upgrade, was delivered for Upper Hunter Shire Council with the backing of the Australian and NSW Governments. The project restored a critical regional freight route following catastrophic damage sustained during heavy rainfall and landslides in 2021.

“Civil contractors are the ones called for important maintenance like reopening roads in regional communities or replacing bridges to increase a community’s flood resilience, just as two of our winners did,” said CCF NSW CEO, Kylie Yates.

SHAPING THE FUTURE

Working across steep, geologically challenging terrain in the Upper Hunter, Daracon’s scope on the Coulsons Creek project was extensive, encompassing retaining structures, road pavement, drainage, rockfall protection, and the full replacement of the Merriwa-end causeway. The project has since been widely recognized by Council and Government representatives as a benchmark for regional infrastructure rebuilds.

“This was a complex job in a challenging, regional location, but the team produced an excellent outcome,” said Jon Mingay, Managing Director at Daracon Group. “This road is critical for the communities that depend on it, and we are proud to have delivered something that the region can rely on for years to come” he said.

The win came against tough competition, including from Daracon’s alliance organisation Arenco, who were finalists in the same category for the Sydney Harbour Bridge Cycleway. Officially opened in January 2026, the Cycleway replaced the bridge’s 55-step northern staircase with a 170-meter elevated ramp, completing a long-awaited missing link in Sydney’s cycling network.

“It was a great night of celebration alongside our colleagues from Arenco, and is a testament to what the broader Daracon Group is capable of,” said Jon Mingay. “We’re proud of the work our teams deliver each and every day, and grateful to CCF NSW for the recognition of the Coulsons Creek Road project,” said Jon.

“Civil construction is necessary for every aspect of modern life and CCF NSW is proud to give credit where it is due for excellence in the field,” said Ms Yates. As a category winner at the CCF NSW Earth Awards, Daracon Group now progresses to the national stage, with the CCF National Earth Awards to be held on Friday, 27 November 2026 in Canberra, coinciding with the CCF Australian Infrastructure Summit.