An all-female ACCIONA team has won the Scentre Group Award for Team Innovation at the 2025 NAWIC NSW Awards for Excellence, in Sydney.

The award recognises the achievements of ACCIONA’s all-female Mechanical & Engineering Works-Planning Team, marking the company’s first-ever win at the prestigious event in New South Wales.

Led by Senior Planning Manager, Bahar Kizilirmak, alongside Planner Karina Szpoganicz, and Graduate Engineer, Sarah Niu, the team has revolutionised the planning and delivery of mechanical and electrical works on the Western Harbour Tunnel project.

By integrating multiple planning systems into a single, real-time dashboard, they have enabled project managers to monitor progress and identify risks within minutes, significantly improving efficiency and transparency.

Kizilirmak praised the team’s collaborative approach.

“This award is a testament to the power of diverse thinking and the impact of inclusive leadership,” Kizilirmak said.

“Our integrated planning model has not only streamlined operations but also ensured that critical mechanical and electrical works remain front and centre throughout the project lifecycle.”

The NAWIC NSW Awards for Excellence celebrate leadership, innovation and inclusion across the construction industry.

This year’s sold-out event welcomed more than 1,100 industry professionals and recognised achievements across 13 categories.

The Scentre Group Award for Team Innovation highlights teams that demonstrate outstanding creativity and effectiveness in delivering project outcomes.

The ACCIONA team’s work addresses a longstanding challenge in infrastructure delivery, where interfaces are often deprioritised, leading to delays.

Their data-driven approach ensures that these essential components are tracked and managed proactively, contributing to the overall success of the Western Harbour Tunnel project.

The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) NSW Chapter continues to champion fair, inclusive and respectful workplaces.

Through mentoring, research, scholarships and advocacy, NAWIC supports women at every stage of their construction careers, from apprentices to senior executives.

ACCIONA’s recognition at the NAWIC NSW Awards underscores its commitment to fostering innovation through diversity and empowering women in engineering and construction.

The company will continue to build on this success, driving inclusive practices and pioneering solutions across its infrastructure projects in New South Wales and beyond.

Congratulations to Bahar, Karina and Sarah!