Rookwood Weir has received another industry award – this time for its leading, people-first approach to mental health and suicide prevention, recognising demonstrated and measurable improvements in worker wellbeing on a major regional construction site in Central Queensland across the life of the project.
The project was named winner in the Best Practice in Workplace category at the Queensland LiFE Awards, acknowledging strong and practical measures to reduce suicide risk and improve mental health and safety. It is now a finalist in the National LiFE Awards, with winners to be announced in Sydney on 29 April 2026.
Tino Ferrero, Rookwood Weir Project Alliance Manager, highlighted the importance of collaboration.
“This recognition reflects the commitment shown across the project to treat mental health as a shared workplace responsibility,” Mr Ferrero said.
“By listening to workers and acting on evidence, the site has been able to make sustained, meaningful improvements that support people both on and off the job.” he said.
Rookwood Weir stood out for its joined-up approach to addressing these challenges throughout the project lifecycle.
ACCIONA worked alongside Alliance delivery partner McCosker Contracting, owner Sunwater, design partner GHD, subcontractors, researchers and MATES in Construction, to embed mental health into everyday site culture rather than treating it as a standalone issue.
A key element of the initiative was the use of the People-at-Work Construction survey and the Blueprint for Better Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.
Workers were surveyed four times over the project, allowing leaders to identify sources of stress and implement targeted actions to reduce psychosocial risks and strengthen support systems.
Engagement extended beyond surveys. Workers participated in toolbox talks, regular conversations with supervisors, informal connection activities, MATES training, case management support and access to the Employee Assistance Program. These measures were designed to encourage early help-seeking and reduce stigma.
The approach delivered clear, evidence-backed and measurable outcomes. Compared with control sites, Rookwood Weir recorded an 11 per cent reduction in workers reporting poor mental health.
The initiative has already influenced broader industry practice, helping shape the ongoing rollout of the MATES program on major projects in South Australia and informing updates to the Blueprint for Better Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.
The recognition highlights how evidence-driven action, strong leadership commitment and genuine worker engagement can create safer, healthier worksites, offering a model that other complex construction projects can adopt for long-term impact.