Harry is non-verbal and autistic and when Unitywater’s Harmony Water Project began in 2022, Harry, who was two years old at the time, became captivated with the hive of activity happening on the other side of his fence.
“It was all about construction – his first word was ‘truck’,” mum Jeanette said.
“We actually built a climbing platform for him so he could scramble up and watch what was happening.
“He was so focused on the construction next door with all the big trucks and diggers and all the exciting things happening, it really engaged him.”
Over the past three years, construction partner McConnell Dowell has kept the Butler family informed of works and crews have always made time for Harry.
“They would give Harry ‘truck toots’ and ‘bucket waves’ with the excavator, the whole team were wonderful,” Jeanette said.
“Harry would build rock piles when we’d go on walks and the ‘boys’ never knocked them over – they knew they were Harry’s and they’d move their safety fences around the piles.
“They always had Harry’s interests in mind and if they thought the construction works would be too loud, they would make me aware so I could manage Harry in the way that I needed to. That was really special and really important.”
Describing her reaction to Harry’s very own ‘street’, Jeanette said: “It’s his little stamp on Tanawha. It’s going to be one of those forever stories.”
Unitywater Executive Manager Strategic Engagement Joshua Zugajev said Harry’s story had filtered through the organisation, and it was a pleasure to name the slip road to the new water reservoir ‘Harry’s Lane’. “Harry has truly captured our attention and hearts and this has been a beautiful example of how we’ve worked with our local community through a substantial infrastructure project,” Mr Zugajev said.
“We’re in the process of putting ‘Harry’s Lane’ into our GIS mapping system. It’s been wonderful to see this outcome through our collaboration with our construction partner McConnell Dowell.”
McConnell Dowell Stakeholder and Communications Manager Purdey Wikman said: “Little Harry (who is now getting really big by the way), Jeanette and Troy have been such a wonderful family to work with side by side at the Tanawha Reservoir, we honestly don’t think we could have done this project without all their amazing support.
“Like all good relationships, it started small and has grown to something so special, it will leave a spot in our hearts for a long time to come. We remain hopeful of recruiting Harry into MCD when he finishes school, given his amazing aptitude for all things construction!”
The Harmony Water Project will help meet the Sunshine Coast’s growing population demands, both now and into the future, including the 21,000 residents who will live in Harmony by 2036. Find out more on the Harmony Water Project community hub page.
