Victoria Civil Contractors Federation (CCF) Earth Awards recognised innovation, sustainability, safety, stakeholder management, and social legacy excellence

Seymour Whyte’s Port Rail Transformation Project (PRTP) has been recognised with a 2025 Civil Construction Federation (CCF) (Victoria) Earth Award  – the civil construction industry’s highest accolade for project excellence.

Photo: Port Rail Transformation and Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Upgrade Project Teams at the 2025 Victoria Civil Contractors Federation (CCF) Earth Awards

A landmark achievement for freight efficiency

Delivered in partnership with the Port of Melbourne, the PRTP is a landmark initiative that shifts containerised freight from road to rail, easing congestion, reducing truck movements, and boosting efficiency at Australia’s busiest container port.

Completed within one of the nation’s most operationally complex and high-security environments, the project demanded precision, innovation, and seamless collaboration to ensure uninterrupted 24/7 port operations.

Photo: Port Rail Transformation Project at completion

Innovation at its core

The project pioneered several world-first and industry-leading innovations, including:

  • Multi-lift in situ stabilisation for heavy-duty port pavements.
  • A 612-metre continuous concrete track slab to overcome poor ground conditions and enable dual train access.
  • An onsite water treatment plant that processed more than 42,000 kL of contaminated water—often cleaner than tap water.

Photo: The 612-metre continuous concrete track slab

Through clever reuse of 41,000 tonnes of contaminated soil, the team diverted 93% of waste from landfill, setting new standards for sustainability in complex infrastructure delivery.

Photo: Earthworks at the Port Rail Transformation Project

People, safety, and social legacy

The award also recognises the project’s strong people-first culture.

  • More than 547,000 hours worked without a Lost Time Injury (LTI).
  • A graduate program embedding engineers with site crews to build real-world skills and respect.
  • Initiatives that supported female participation, First Nations-owned businesses, and social enterprises.
  • A fundraising campaign for McAuley Community Services for Women, raising over $10,000 and leading to direct employment opportunities.

Delivering with discipline and collaboration

Throughout delivery, Seymour Whyte demonstrated agility in responding to unexpected challenges – including scope changes and traffic diversions from the West Gate Tunnel Project – while meeting all key deadlines. The project was completed with minor defects, praised for its transparency, environmental excellence, and stakeholder collaboration.

A lasting legacy

As our first major rail project as principal contractor, PRTP has positioned Seymour Whyte as a reputable rail contractor in delivering technically complex, sustainable, and socially responsible infrastructure. This recognition by the CCF Earth Awards is not only a testament to the project team’s expertise and commitment but also to the positive impact this project will have on Australia’s freight future.

A huge congratulations to our project team and partners – this award recognises your innovation, collaboration, and commitment to delivering sustainable, future-ready infrastructure.

We’re equally proud of our Healesville–Koo Wee Rup Road Upgrade Project Team, recognised as a finalist in the same ‘Projects Over $150m’ category — a reflection of the high calibre of projects Seymour Whyte is delivering across Victoria.