SYDNEY, NSW – Stormwater Services Australia (SSA) is incredibly proud to announce that our Managing Director, David Nixon, has been recognised with the Highly Commended Public Works Leader of the Year Award at the prestigious IPWEA NSW & ACT Engineering Excellence Awards.
The Engineering Excellence Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in project delivery and the exemplary individuals who are leading transformative change in the public works engineering profession.
Reflecting on the achievement, David took to LinkedIn to share the honour with the broader industry network:
"Grateful to receive the #IPWEA NSW Highly Commended Public Works Leader of the Year Award. It represents the great work of the industry dedicated to improving Stormwater Management in NSW and Australia. Stormwater 2030, NSW SQID Taskforce and Stormwater NSW—this is all recognition of your work."
A Transformative Leader in Stormwater Management
David’s recognition by IPWEA NSW & ACT is a testament to his transformative, multi-pronged strategy to revitalise the Australian stormwater sector from the ground up.
Historically viewed through a narrow lens of flood mitigation, the stormwater industry has often suffered from fragmented governance, inconsistent standards, and chronic underfunding.
David has dedicated his career to addressing these systemic issues.
His leadership and legacy in the public works sphere are built upon three foundational pillars:
Elevating Professional Standards through SSA:
- By founding Stormwater Services Australia, David addressed a critical gap in the market, providing councils and asset owners with a dedicated partner for holistic, data-driven stormwater network management.
- Under his leadership, SSA has pioneered advanced asset inspection and preventative maintenance methods, helping clients shift from reactive repairs to proactive, risk-based asset management.
- Driving Quality via the NSW SQID Taskforce: As the elected Chair of the NSW SQID Taskforce, David has brought together manufacturers, consultants, academics, and government representatives to build a framework for quality and trust
His consensus-driven leadership is actively replacing industry ambiguity with standardized guidelines for specifying, procuring, and managing Stormwater Quality Improvement Devices (SQIDs) effectively.
- Advocating for the Future with Stormwater 2030: Recognising that lasting change requires high-level policy and funding reform, David co-founded Stormwater 2030.Through this initiative, he has reframed the narrative around stormwater—shifting it from a technical nuisance to a vital resource for creating greener, cooler, and more resilient urban environments.
A Lifelong Commitment to the Community
Beyond his impressive professional milestones, this award recognises David’s lifelong ethos of public service.
Whether serving on the board of Stormwater NSW, guiding international climate delegations, or supporting his local surf life-saving club, his work is driven by a singular goal: leveraging his skills and leadership to build a better, more sustainable society.
The entire team at Stormwater Services Australia congratulates David on this well-deserved honour. His vision, entrepreneurial courage, and unwavering commitment to collaboration continue to elevate our company and the entire public works profession.
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About Stormwater Services Australia (SSA)
Stormwater Services Australia is a leading provider of whole-of-life stormwater services across the country. Operating under entities including Stormwater Sydney, Stormwater Newcastle, and Stormwater Melbourne, SSA delivers comprehensive design, construction, inspection, maintenance, and auditing solutions to create sustainable and resilient communities.
Media Contact:
Stormwater Services Australia Phone: (02) 9090 4213 Email: info@stormwaterservices.au Website:stormwaterservices.au
