The recipients of the inaugural National Excellence in Surveying and Spatial Information Awards have been announced.
The awards presentation ceremony, held at a gala occasion in Canberra on 24 April, brought together industry professionals and organisation representatives from across Australia.
Originally confined to NSW, the EISSI Awards program was expanded in 2025 to encompass Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland, with projects from Tasmania and the Northern Territory also included.
“This event represents a defining moment for surveying in Australia,” said Cameron Mills, President of Surveyors Australia.
“What began as a state-based initiative has grown into a truly national platform, recognising excellence, innovation and leadership across the country.”
Recognition
The Awards recognise examples of surveying excellence across infrastructure, construction, land administration and spatial data activities, and help to shine a light on surveyors’ essential role in shaping Australia’s built environment and supporting economic development.
The finalists for the 2025 national Awards were drawn from the state-based Awards recipients, with the successful inaugural national awardees being as follows:
- Infrastructure and Construction: Bennett + Bennett, for the Queens Wharf Brisbane
- Extra Dimension and Innovation: Woolpert and North Queensland Bulk Ports, for Digital Twins Advancing Port Infrastructure Asset Management
- Community and Sustainable Environment: Taylors Development Strategists, for Fiji Model Homes
- Urban Cadastral Surveying and Land Titling: Bennett + Bennett, for the Cross River Rail Resumption Surveys
- Rural Cadastral Surveying and Land Titling: Surveying Services, Lands Division, Queensland Government DNRMMRRD, for the Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park Survey
- Surveying Project Management: Auspat Land Survey Australia, for the Westgate Project
- Mine Surveying: SEAM Spatial, for Dragline Stability Monitoring for Shutdown Safety
- University Student Project: Oliver Garrett (NSW)
- Vocational Student of the Year: Zoe Hafenscher (WA)
- Young Professional Surveyor of the Year: Lewis Walsh (WA)
- Professional Surveyor of the Year: Joint winners, Jonathan Neilson (dec) (Vic) and John Minehan (NSW)
- Professional Organisation of the Year (Large): CMS Surveyors
- Professional Organisation of the Year (Small): Thomas & George
National platform
The gala evening event was hosted by former politician, Bruce Billson, who guided proceedings and highlighted the vital role surveying plays in supporting Australian businesses, infrastructure and communities.
The event also brought together key leaders from across the nation, including: Greg Ledwidge, ACT Surveyor General; Michael Degg, President of Consulting Surveyors Victoria; Matt King and Josh King, Board members of the Institution of Surveyors Victoria; Dave Lovell, President of Consulting Surveyors NSW; Damien Darmody, Board member at the Institution of Surveyors NSW; and Jay Sidhu, President of the Western Australian Institution of Surveyors.
“This is more than an awards program. It is a national platform to recognise excellence, strengthen professional connections, and elevate the profile of surveying across Australia,” said Surveyors Australia’s CEO, Michelle Blicavs.
