Sustainable offices, large master-planned communities, retirement living villages and affordable housing are among the five Queensland projects to take home national awards at the 2017 Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards.
Stockland’s North Lakes community, a residential development located 30 kilometres from Brisbane’s CBD in the Moreton Bay region’s thriving growth corridor, beat 12 other finalists to win the EPM Projects Award for Best Master Planned Community.
“Since Stockland launched its community in 1999, North Lakes has delivered an incredible diversity, scale and depth of facilities and services,” says the Property Council’s Chief Executive, Ken Morrison.
The community now features more than 60 local and village parks, two primary schools and two secondary schools, shopping facilities, a community library and an 18-hole championship golf course.
“Importantly, North Lakes boasts a wide range of housing options – from large family homes to townhouses and retirement villages so people can remain within the community they love as they age.
“Stockland really broke new ground at North Lakes – and the result is a vibrant, liveable community in one of Australia’s fastest growing areas,” Mr Morrison says.
Another Stockland master-planned community, Aura on the Sunshine Coast, was presented with the Frasers Property Australia Award for Project Innovation after competing against nine other national finalists from around the country.
Mr Morrison says Aura’s Engagement Excellence Program is a “game-changer” that has transformed the way the industry considers community consultation.
“Stockland’s idea leverages in-kind support and external funding to enhance the experience for people at Aura,” Mr Morrison explains.
Meanwhile, a small, sustainable building in Fortitude Valley has won the WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff Award for Best Sustainable Development – New Buildings.
According to Managing Director of RLB Queensland, David Stewart, the three-storey headquarters of engineering firm Floth has redefined the sustainable workplace in Australia.
“Floth has combined the world-leading with the practical to deliver a building with a swag of sustainability ratings,” Mr Stewart says.
“69 Robertson Street was also the first to meet the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council’s standard definition of a zero-carbon building. This has really led the way for other companies considering whether carbon neutral is possible,” Mr Stewart adds.
The GHD Woodhead Award for Best Retirement Living Development was presented to The Village Coorparoo for an integrated facility that helps Queenslanders as they age.
This master planned retirement village features 217 two- and three-bedroom independent living units just five kilometres from the Brisbane CBD.
“Occupying an entire city block, The Village delivers an integrated retirement community in a medium-rise building. The quality of the design, and the level of amenity and services, raise the bar on retirement living in urban settings,” Mr Stewart explains.
And another village took home the GOUGH Recruitment Award for Best Affordable Housing Development.
The Village Townsville, owned and nominated by Economic Development Queensland, overlooks nearly two kilometres of riverfront parkland and tree-lined avenues, and will eventually be home to around 1,000 families.
“The Village offers a diverse range of high quality housing options – from affordable terraces to waterfront homes. This mix of housing caters to a wide demographic and creates a liveable and vibrant community,” Mr Morrison explains.
RLB has partnered with the Property Council of Australia to present the Innovation & Excellence Awards program since its inception in 1982.
The 2017 Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Award winners were announced on Friday 5 May at a gala dinner at the International Convention Centre Sydney.
A full list of winners is available at www.propertycouncilawards.com.au