February 2026
CATO Group is proud to announce its recognition as finalists in multiple categories at the upcoming TMAA Excellence Awards, with winners set to be announced next month. These nominations celebrate excellence, innovation, and leadership across Australia’s traffic management industry and recognise organisations and individuals who consistently raise the benchmark for safety, compliance, and operational performance.
The Traffic Management Association of Australia (TMAA) Excellence Awards honour outstanding contributions to the industry, acknowledging best practice across design, delivery, innovation, safety, sustainability, and community outcomes. CATO Group’s finalist recognition highlights the company’s depth of expertise across complex traffic environments, large-scale events, and people-led leadership.
CATO Group is proud to see Michael Parker recognised as a finalist for Traffic Management Designer of the Year. With over a decade of experience and having joined CATO in 2014, Michael is widely regarded as the go-to expert for complex traffic management design across film, television, major events, and construction projects.
Michael has personally designed and overseen thousands of Traffic Management Plans (TMPs) and Traffic Guidance Schemes (TGSs), consistently delivering tailored, site-specific solutions that prioritise safety, efficiency, and compliance. His calm, methodical approach under pressure and ability to anticipate on-site challenges ensure seamless outcomes even in high-risk and dynamic environments.
As both a Traffic Manager and accredited WHS Officer, Michael integrates best-practice safety, accessibility, and sustainability into every design. His innovative approach includes the use of time-lapse cameras to analyse traffic behaviour, 3D rendered worksites, embedded hyperlinks within TGSs, and AI translation tools to support non-English speaking crews. These initiatives not only enhance safety and clarity on site but also improve efficiency and client decision-making.
Beyond design, Michael is a mentor and trusted advisor within CATO, generously sharing his expertise to uplift team capability and industry standards. His combination of technical precision, regulatory knowledge, and creative problem-solving makes him a deserving finalist and an outstanding representative of modern traffic management excellence.
CATO Group is also a finalist for Traffic Management Event of the Year for its delivery of Traffic management and Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) services for the New Year’s Eve celebrations across the City of Sydney and North Sydney Council for many consecutive years.
Supporting one of the world’s most iconic events, CATO managed Traffic, Pedestrian Flow, and HVM for over 1.6 million attendees across multiple days, deploying more than 300 crew members and senior management within Global Coordination Centres on both sides of Sydney Harbour. The operation required exceptional planning, real-time adaptability, and close collaboration with Councils, NSW Police, Counter Terrorism, and Emergency Services.
The project showcased CATO’s ability to deliver large-scale, multi-agency operations while embedding accessibility, sustainability, equity, and safety at every stage. Innovations included reusable HVM solutions, the first deployment of CATO’s EV fleet, and strong female leadership across senior management roles.
CATO Group is honoured to be named a finalist for Traffic Management Company of the Year. Operating across NSW, ACT, and South East Queensland, CATO delivers integrated Traffic Management, Security, and Safety solutions to the Construction, Events, and Entertainment industries.
As a family-owned business, CATO prides itself on strong client relationships, local employment, and a problem-solving mindset. The company maintains ISO accreditation across Quality, Environmental, and Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems and has been a Climate Active certified carbon neutral organisation since 2021.
Safety and compliance sit at the core of operations, supported by comprehensive inductions, fatigue management, and technology investments such as Verizon Connect for real-time fleet and driver monitoring. CATO is also a leader in sustainability, diversity, and inclusion, continuously investing in electric vehicles, transparent sustainability reporting, and workforce development.
Under the leadership of Managing Director Kieran Cato, CATO actively gives back to the community through initiatives such as Youth Off The Streets, the Vinnies CEO Sleepout, and board representation with Screen Careers, reinforcing the company’s commitment to social responsibility and industry advancement.
CATO Group’s finalist recognition at the TMAA Excellence Awards reflects the company’s unwavering commitment to safety, innovation, sustainability, and people. As the industry awaits the announcement of winners next month, CATO remains proud to stand alongside Australia’s leading traffic management professionals, continuing to set new standards for excellence across every project delivered.
A huge thank you and congratulations to the whole CATO Crew. We’re so proud of our incredible team, whom we wouldn’t be in the running without.
For the full list of finalists, head to the TMAA website.
CATO Group is proud to announce it’s achievement in being named finalists across six categories in the prestigious NSW Business Awards 2025 – Sydney Region.
On Tuesday 18th June, CATO was honoured to have attended the NSW Business Awards ceremony held at Sydney Town Hall. The ceremony was attended by Clover Moore, Lord Mayor of Sydney among other distinguished guests to celebrate the outstanding achievements of Sydney’s most innovative business leaders.
At this year’s 21st annual Screen Producers Australia (SPA) Awards, CATO Location Services was named Service and Facilities Business of the Year. The award was given in conjunction with Silver Trak Digital and announced on the final night of Screen Forever 37 on the Gold Coast. CATO is honoured to have been a member of SPA for the last six years.
