From timber towers to high-tech distribution centres, from luxury living to sustainable hotels, and from retirement developments to remote housing, Australia’s best projects and top talent are in the hunt for prestigious property awards.
This year, 153 finalists in 20 categories have been named ahead of the 2019 Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards in May.
The awards program, now in its 37th year in partnership with RLB, showcases innovative projects, pioneering solutions and inspiring leadership in Australia’s property industry.
“Property is Australia’s largest industry, and these awards honour the projects shaping our skylines, our cities and our communities,” says the Property Council’s chief executive, Ken Morrison.
“As Australia’s cities and communities continue to grow, these projects showcase the contribution our industry makes to designing, building and managing great places where Australians live, work and play.
“It is a great testament to the depth and diversity of talent across Australia that we have finalists in each state and territory this year,” Morrison adds.
“Each of the 153 finalists this year has a story to tell – whether it’s a building that brings new life to a city or an inspiring property professional getting on with the job of creating great places for Australians. This is what good growth looks like.”
Stars shine in each state and territory
Among the finalists is Lendlease’s International House Sydney (pictured right), the first commercial office building in Australia to be built using engineered timber.
In Brisbane, Lucent Gasworks (pictured below) is a finalist in two categories for a luxurious take on 
In Tasmania, the ibis Styles Hotel – Hobart’s largest hotel and the first in Australia to achieve a 5 Star Green Star rating – is vying for the coveted Hickory Award for Best Tourism & Leisure Development.
The gleaming Brookfield Place Tower 2, which incorporates game-changing sustainability and 5,000 sqm of public realm, is up for two awards for breathing new life into a forgotten corner of Perth’s CBD.
The Royal Flying Doctors Service Adelaide Head Office has also been acknowledged for bringing operations
under one roof in purpose-built facilities have enhanced efficiency and fostered a unified culture of people devoted to patient care.
Also up for awards is the 70,000 sqm $560 million Woolworths facility in Dandenong, the largest and most technologically-advanced grocery distribution centre in the southern hemisphere.
The North Territory Remote Housing Program, a finalist in the government leadership category, harnesses the power of local participation to promote economic and skills development.
And in the ACT, The Central by Goodwin reimagines retirement living and demonstrates how local shopping centres can better accommodate ageing in our community.
Twenty categories celebrate innovation and excellence
All development national finalists are in the running for the industry’s most coveted prize – the Rider Levett Bucknall Australian Development of the Year award. Developments are also vying for the State Development of the Year award in their state.
Ten rising stars have also been shortlisted for the du Chateau Chun Award for Future Leader of the Year.
Innovation is recognised in two sub-categories: the Kone Award for Development Innovation and the PEXA Award for Project Innovation.
Diversity is also recognised in two categories: the FDC Award for Diversity for larger companies, and the PwC Award for Diversity for companies with less than 250 employees.
National award winners will be announced at the 2019 Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards Gala Dinner, to be held at the ICC Sydney Convention Centre on Friday 17 May 2019. Tickets are now on sale.