Bundaberg Regional Council design manager Dwayne Honor has demonstrated the adage that if you don't like the way things are, you should change them.

The CQUniversity Engineering graduate had been frustrated with the data sharing performance of civil design software, so he worked with council colleague Steven Bowden and software company 12d to implement a revolutionary design and survey tool.

Dwayne is congratulated by L-R Dr Lee Gregory, Managing Director of 12D Solutions Pty Ltd and Tony Ingold, Director, Extra Dimension Solutions

The new data sharing technology provides civil engineers and surveyors unlimited access to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and easily shares their designs for everything from property parcels and roads, to stormwater drains and sewerage networks.

Mr Honor is proud that the software is now being used in the reconstruction of earthquake-devastated Christchurch. The Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (SCIRT) is taking as-constructed drainage networks and adding them directly into the GIS as part of a $2 billion reconstruction effort.

He's also received an 'International Engineering Innovation' award after presenting at the International 12d User Conference held in Brisbane earlier this year. He plans to donate his prizemoney to establish a perpetual award at the high school he attended in Gin Gin, to encourage students from regional areas into science and engineering.

Mr Honor has become the youngest engineer yet to be appointed to the board of the CQ Branch of the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia.

After attending high school in Gin Gin, Mr Honor graduated with distinction from CQUniversity with dual degrees in civil engineering technology and business administration. He started his engineering career at Kolan Shire Council and has worked in his current role in Bundaberg since 2005.