MAMU Rainforest Canopy Walkway at Innisfail has earned its designer the engineering project of the year title at the Engineers Australia Far North Queensland annual awards. 

Meanwhile Tony Black from Black and More won professional engineer of the year, while Robby Chohan from GHD was named young professional engineer.

Opened earlier this year, the Mamu Canopy Walkway was designed by Arup engineering firm and gives walkers a spectactular view of the rainforest.

Arup office leader Robert Donnan said the walkway provided many challenges.

"Technically complex projects like the Mamu walkway showcase the high level of capability of the people involved,'' he said.

"Winning the Project of the Year award is tremendous endorsement of the technical skill and ability of the project team involved.''

Mr Donnan said a team of engineers, architects and environmental consultants, worked with the traditional owners, the Ma Mu people, to create the walkway.

Judges praised Tony Black's role in several public infrastructure projects in the past 15 years and for developing a successful consultancy practice.

Among his projects have been health infrastructure in the Torres Strait islands.

"In a relatively short period of 15 years, Tony has played a leading technical role in a large number of highly successful public infrastructure projects,'' judges wrote.

Mr Black said he hoped more young people would start considering engineering as a career.

"The great thing about engineering is you are working on something tangible,'' he said.

"I'd like more people to learn what a great career it can be.''

The judges said Mr Chohan, meanwhile, was "a true example of home-grown engineering talent'' and were impressed with the number of projects in which he'd been involved.

"His current role as lead structural engineer for the $180 million Cleaner Seas Alliance, was recognised as an indication that his skills and experience are held in exceptionally high regard,'' judges wrote.

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