Meet the team – Kurt Uebergang

Tell us a bit about your professional background.

I started working fulltime at Engineering Design Consultancies while studying an engineering degree at University of Technology Sydney part-time. This was a good opportunity to get on the tools early in my career. I spent the first half of my career working through various roles in engineering design, before moving into project management and design management roles, where I have worked as both the client and construction contractor for various transport and infrastructure projects.

Some of the highlights over that time were Museum Station Easy Access upgrade with TfNSW, Portion C of Woolgoolga to Ballina Pacific Highway upgrade with Cardno and ARUP, and more recently Northwest Rapid Transport (first stage of Sydney Metro) and Parramatta Light Rail both with CPB Contractors. I’m now very excited to be working on Inland Rail as a design manager, helping to deliver the three projects between Albury and Parkes.

Why did you decide to join Inland Rail?

Inland Rail is a huge undertaking to change how freight will be moved around Australia and something that I wanted to play a part. Its successful delivery will make a lasting difference to the country. From Albury to Parkes we have 354km of enhancement projects and 37km of greenfield project, and I felt that this would be an excellent opportunity to put my skills and experiences to good use and make a difference in the delivery of these projects.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of working on this project?

The most rewarding part of this project is being part of a team that’s resolving issues, making a difference and getting on with delivery. Our program for completing design and approvals to the required level of detail is tight and the team is completely aligned in achieving that objective. The next few months will be particularly challenging and certainly require everyone to keep driving effective communication and accountability within the team.

What can the community expect to see in coming months?

Over the next few months, the community will see us in the field continuing stakeholder engagement activities for our reference design and detailed design sites, and wrapping up the last of our investigation activities to support design development. They may also see some of us fishing on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River outside of work hours when we get a chance!

What do you like doing in your time off?

I love getting out fishing on the Hawkesbury River and heading away four-wheel driving with my wife, daughter and friends whenever possible. Sunny Corner would have to be my favourite weekend trip in the Blue Mountains; it’s got some really fun tracks and we camp on the Turon River where we can fish for trout.