This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
The Urban Development Institute of Australia has announced the winners of the 2006 National Awards for Excellence.
The 2006 Winners:
Category 1 – The President’s Award
Rockcote Design Centre, Nerang, Queensland (by Rockcote Pty Ltd)
Rockcote Pty Ltd developed the Rockcote Design Centre in Nerang primarily to showcase its range of architectural coatings. The result is a commercial industrial development designed and constructed with a passion for the environment and sustainability. The Rockcote Centre has a self-sufficient water supply harvested from rainfall, and has town water reticulated in front of the site for use if required. The centre has reduced its water usage by recycling, and is actually capable of gathering more water than is their total annual demand. The Design Centre is a remarkable example to all builders and developers of how to create energy- and water-efficient sustainable buildings.
Category 2 – Masterplanned Development
Caroline Springs, Melbourne, Victoria (by Delfin Lend Lease)
Caroline Springs, Melbourne, Victoria (by Delfin Lend Lease)
It doesn’t seem so long ago that Australian developers visiting the USA would gasp at the scale of masterplanned housing estates. Judging by the range of projects entered as Masterplanned Developments this year, Australian developers may well have taken over as the producers of the best masterplanned communities.
Caroline Springs on the western plains of Melbourne, is a prime example of excellence in masterplanned developments and a fine case study. Developed by Delfin Lend Lease for a trust comprising several Melton East land owners, Caroline Springs is truly a self-contained masterplanned community. The development offers a wide range of home sites and housing options, hall mark water features, community facilities, a shopping centre and numerous village parks, playgrounds and government and private schools.
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Category 3 – Residential Development
Brookwater – The Premier Golf Community, Queensland (by Springfield Land Corporation and Medallist Developments)
Brookwater – The Premier Golf Community, Queensland (by Springfield Land Corporation and Medallist Developments)
Brookwater is an exceptionally good example of the creation of a highly desirable residential destination, in a location formerly considered by most as undesirable. The blending of the land subdivision and home sites with the high-quality golf course is exceptional, particularly the creation of "golf windows" through which multiple dwellings can enjoy golf course views. The developers have been particularly sensitive to re-establishing the local ecology and to the treatment of storm water.
Category 4 – Medium Density Housing
Baltusrol, Victoria (by Australand Holdings Limited)
Baltusrol, Victoria (by Australand Holdings Limited)
Australand secured the site for its Baltusrol housing development from the adjoining Kingston Heath Golf Club. With 72 single- and double-storey homes on a site of 3.2ha, Baltusrol is a worthy winner of the Medium Density Housing category. One of the key features of the project is the developer’s use of water sensitive urban design in the onsite retention of storm water due to the under-capacity local drainage system. The retention system has resulted in a very impressive streetscape and landscape combination, incorporating mini basins, rockeries and local indigenous planting.
Cateogory 5 – High Density Housing
The Towers of Chevron Renaissance, Queensland (by Rapitis Group)
The Towers of Chevron Renaissance, Queensland (by Rapitis Group)
The project, developed by the Raptis Group, comprises three interconnected towers of apartments featuring an outdoor living space at level 6 known as "Beaches in the Sky"(featuring a large lagoon and sandy beach) and is built behind and over the Chevron Renaissance Shopping Centre. The range of apartment options is wide, varying from smaller scale to sky-high, large penthouses, and from good -quality finishes to luxurious. The Raptis Group enjoys a reputation for high quality, successful projects and The Towers of Chevron Renaissance is no exception. All praises for "The Towers" are well deserved.
Category 6 – Urban Renewal Project
The Maltings, Western Australia (by Australand Property Group)
The Maltings, Western Australia (by Australand Property Group)
The Maltings is the redevelopment of the former Union Maltings and brewery and incorporates the retention of several historic buildings for both active and passive use within the development. Australand has converted some of the original buildings into apartments, townhouses, communal facilities and a permanent museum. The company has also constructed new apartment buildings and new townhouses around beautifully-presented garden spaces incorporating heritage elements. The judges believe that The Maltings is a first-rate example of urban renewal which blends the old with new and heritage with modern living, all in peaceful harmony.
Category 7 – Environmental Excellence
Koolamara Waters, Victoria (by Wilbow Corporation Pty Ltd)
Koolamara Waters, Victoria (by Wilbow Corporation Pty Ltd)
Koolamara Waters is located on the edge of Ferntree Gully in Melbourne’s east. This former wasteland of low-lying, flood-prone land with poor-quality soil is now a unique small residential housing estate of the highest quality incorporating a truly exclusive environmental feature. Developers Wilbow Corporation, working with the Australian Platypus Conservancy and Melbourne Water, have created the only known purpose-built platypus breeding environment, indeed something that is worthy calling "unique".
