Daracon Group and Arenco Are Finalists at 2026 CCF NSW Earth Awards

Daracon Group and its alliance organization Arenco have both been announced as finalists at the 2026 Civil Contractors Federation NSW (CCF NSW) Earth Awards in the $30-$75 million project category.

Daracon has been shortlisted for the Coulstons Creek Road Merriwa (MR358) upgrade, whilst Arenco has been recognized for the Sydney Harbour Bridge Cycleway. The finalist nod for Daracon comes off the back of three years of consecutive wins at the CCF NSW Earth Awards. Last year, the Group took out the top spot in the $30-$75 million category for the Hydro Aluminium Kurri Kurri Site Remediatioin project, and in 2024 the Newcastle Ocean Baths were awarded in the $10M – $30M project value category. In 2023, Daracon also secured a win for their Kooragang Island Waste Emplacement Facility in the $5 – $10 million project value category. 

This year, Daracon’s finalist recognition is for the rehabilitation of Coulsons Creek Road Merriwa (MR358) upgrade, delivered for the Upper Hunter Shire Council with the backing of the Australian and NSW Governments following catastrophic damage sustained by heavy rainfall and landslides in 2021. Working across steep, geologically challenging terrain, Daracon’s scope included retaining structures, road pavement, drainage, rockfall protection, and the full replacement of the Merriwa-end causeway-a project widely recognized by Council and Government representatives as a benchmark regional infrastructure rebuild.

“We’re really proud to have restored the vital freight route to the region, and to be recognized by CCF NSW for that work is a remarkable outcome for our team,” said Daniel Pitcher, Divisional Manager of Hunter Civil at Daracon.

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Arenco’s finalist project, the Sydney Harbour Bridge Cycleway, officially opened in January 2026 and completed a critical missing link in Sydney’s cycling network. The new cycleway replaced the bridge’s 55-step northern staircase with a 170-metre elevated ramp and is a rare contemporary addition to the Sydney icon. The new structure incorporates granite from the original Moruya quarry, over 1,500 custom-cast bronze balustrades, and embedded First Nations artwork acknowledging Gadigal and Cammeraygal Country.

“To deliver a project of this complexity on one of the world’s most iconic structures, and have it recognized at state level, is a great achiecement for Arenco,” said Angelo Stratikopoulos, Divisional Manager at Arenco. “We send our best wishes to the Daracon team – may the best project win!” said Angelo.

Winners of the 2026 CCF NSW Earth Awards will be announced at the awards event on 19 June, held at Illumina in Sydney.