In Australia’s complex and ever-evolving infrastructure landscape, it’s not often that a project comes along which redefines what’s possible. For civil engineer Steph Dahan, the SABRE project (Sydney AutoStrad Botany Rail Expansion) was one of those rare opportunities.
Delivered through a collaboration between Patrick Terminals and NSW Ports, SABRE is the first project in Australia to integrate a fully automated on-dock rail terminal with an existing automated straddle carrier container terminal — setting a new benchmark for port logistics and civil design.
As Project Lead for JN’s civil scope on SABRE, Steph was at the forefront of stormwater infrastructure, traffic modelling and designing heavy-duty pavements (in collaboration with the JN structural team) for what is now the country’s first integrated automated rail and container terminal. “This certainly isn’t something we get the opportunity to work on every day”, she recalls. “When we saw the site from the control tower during that first briefing, my first thought was, ‘Wow! This is a big terminal.’”
Civil Manager Scott McMillan remembers the moment clearly:
“When Steph first got the invite to put in a fee for this project, we were asked to attend the site to review the scope of works. It was fascinating watching the automated vehicles manoeuvring around the site. We had an opportunity to take over from the engineers previously engaged, and we needed to get the pricing right. It wasn’t easy to fee, given the scale. But I knew Steph was the right engineer for the job. Her responsiveness and ability to deliver under pressure made her the best fit”
– SCOTT McMillan, CIVIL MANAGER
With the Patrick Terminals team actively seeking design excellence over cost-cutting compromises, the brief represented a significant shift from the usual value-engineering mindset. It demanded ambitious thinking, cross-disciplinary expertise, and careful collaboration — qualities Steph has long championed in her approach to engineering.
Tackling the unprecendented
From a civil perspective, SABRE’s demands were unique compared to any project the JN Sutherland team had faced. “The design loadings on terminal pavements are vastly different to what most civil engineers are used to. Every millimetre counts when working across such large areas, to provide the most economical solution for your client”, Steph explains.
The team worked across JN’s Sydney and Queensland offices to pool the technical insight needed to address these unique load conditions. Beyond the pavement design, spatial efficiency was paramount — requiring civil systems like stormwater drainage and access routes to be tightly integrated and staged for construction while maintaining operations. “Everything needed to be optimised to free up areas for container stacking and truck grids, and to ensure the works didn’t interrupt daily port operations.”
A converging of systems and minds
What made SABRE exceptional wasn’t just the integration of port, road and rail infrastructure — it was how seamlessly these systems were designed to work together. Steph was struck by the calibre of collaboration: “It was quite remarkable seeing how the Patrick Terminals construction and design teams developed operating systems and procedures to make something this complex function so smoothly. It felt like all the various arms of civil engineering were converging in real time.”
While JN’s role focused on the design phase, Steph notes that fast, efficient delivery of documentation was key to the success of such a fast-tracked program.
Leading from the inside out
At the heart of JN’s delivery was the Sutherland civil team — a close-knit group Steph describes as high-performing and deeply collaborative.
“We have a key focus on planning and communication. I strongly commend our team members for having such a positive and admirable work ethic, paired with a passion for delivering high quality outcomes. I think this is why our clients are so happy with us and keep coming back.”
– STEPH DAHAN – PRoject LEAD
“We draw on each other’s strengths and support one another in building new skills, which keeps our projects running efficiently and to an excellent standard,” Steph explains, “and that dedication is reflected in our results.”
The dedication pays off. The SABRE project was named Project of the Year at the Engineers Australia Excellence Awards – Sydney Division in 2024 — an outcome Steph describes as both a surprise and a validation. “I was shocked at first, but then I thought about what the project achieved. It’s not just another tunnel or road — it’s something no one has done before.”
Looking to the future
Steph is quick to credit her team, but her own leadership has been integral. She’s candid about the challenges (especially ensuring airtight design integrity across such a large-scale project) but also reflective about what she’s learned.
“Listen to the experts, no matter how long you’ve been in the industry. There’s always something new to learn. And really understand what matters to your client — then make sure you deliver on that.”
She also believes that engineering progress depends on curiosity and courage. “If we keep doing the same thing, nothing improves. You don’t want to overstep, but you should always ask, ‘Is there a better way to do this now than how I did it last year?’”
That mindset also came through in a recent interview in an Engineers Australia article, where Steph reflected on the value of clients who embrace smart risk-taking to unlock more innovative, technically refined solutions.
It’s this approach of balancing pragmatism with vision that has come to define Steph’s work. And with SABRE now complete and already setting a new benchmark for port logistics in Australia, the results speak for themselves.
JN has been proudly serving the construction industry in Australia since 1970. In the early years, we operated as a small family business, specialising in the field of structural engineering. Today, JN has grown into a multidisciplinary engineering consultancy with offices across NSW and Queensland, employing around ninety individuals. Our team of experts possesses comprehensive knowledge in various engineering disciplines. JN engineering consultants specialise in civil, structural, electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, fire, sustainable, remedial, traffic and cladding services. We provide support to organisations, businesses and government entities in achieving their engineering and construction objectives. Our services encompass feasibility studies, conceptual design, detailed design, project management, construction supervision, commissioning and maintenance.
