The 20-storey Cirque development won the Russel Perry Award for Urban Development Excellence.
Camera IconThe 20-storey Cirque development won the Russel Perry Award for Urban Development Excellence. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Diversity and innovation on show at 2019 UDIA WA Awards for Excellence

Staff WriterMelville Gazette

THE 2019 Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) WA’s 2019 Awards for Excellence celebrated the best projects in the state at the weekend, highlighting the range of projects that are shaping the future communities and urban places that West Australians call home.

“The mix of high rise, medium density, urban renewal, along with the more traditional new land developments taking centre stage at the awards reflect the changing nature of Perth and WA’s urban landscape,” chief executive Tanya Steinbeck said.

“While we continue to see young families looking to the suburbs for larger family homes, there is a growing cohort of new home buyers seeking smaller, lock and leave homes that offer a range of lifestyle options.

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“The development industry is successfully responding to buyer demand and also state government plans for a denser, more connected city.”

Ms Steinbeck said the winner of the major award, the Russel Perry Award for Urban Development Excellence, was a case in point.

The Cirque tower, Mt Pleasant.
Camera IconThe Cirque tower, Mt Pleasant. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Cirque Mount Pleasant, a 111- apartment building by Stirling Capital, had successfully tapped into the growing downsizer market, with a significant number of buyers from the surrounding area looking to swap their larger, family homes for an easier care, convenient lifestyle.

Cirque was winner in both the Russel Perry and the High-Density categories, with the judges noting that it sets a high benchmark for future development in the burgeoning Canning Bridge precinct.

“Featuring resort style facilities, impeccable finishes, along with significant sustainability features, Cirque is representative of what many downsizers in these types of areas are seeking,” Ms Steinbeck said.

Medium Density winner Botanical Apartments, Subiaco caters to downsizers.
Camera IconMedium Density winner Botanical Apartments, Subiaco caters to downsizers. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Taking out the Medium Density category, Botanical Apartments in Subiaco by Edge Visionary Living was another high-end apartment project catering to those wanting to downsize without compromise.

“The judges could not go past the lush, natural internal areas that truly bring the outside in, along with an impressive rooftop communal area and sustainability measures including smart metering and electric car bays,” Ms Steinbeck said.

Judges Award winner Carrington 57.
Camera IconJudges Award winner Carrington 57. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Another medium-density project, Carrington 57 by Parcel Property in Palmyra caught the judge’s eye and received the discretionary Judges Award for its unique design, look and feel that successfully complemented the surrounding area.

Nicheliving Willetton was recognised in the affordability category for the quality opportunity this project provides to families seeking a foothold into an established suburb within an excellent school catchment at an affordable price point.

When it came to environmental sustainability, two projects stood out, with Allara by Satterley Property Group and LandCorp recognised as the EnviroDevelopment Chairman’s Choice and The Amble Estate by Yolk Property Group and Department of Communities winning in the Environment category as well as the Residential Development (250 lots or fewer) category.

Allara, in Alkimos, is an EnviroDevelopment certified project in all six elements including ecosystems, waste, energy, materials, water and community.

It features initiatives including bike sharing facilities, an on-site recycling centre, extensive green space, solar panels and energy smart meter monitoring systems for all residents, and a range of fantastic community events.

Allara, Alkimos.
Camera IconAllara, Alkimos. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

“The Amble in Girrawheen is an ambitious urban infill project on a former primary school site that has been a catalyst for a more sustainable and connected community in an area characterised by antisocial behaviour and littering,” Ms Steinbeck said.

Among a range of measures, a significant part of The Amble Estate’s Sustainable Living Package is the solar power purchase agreement – the first of its kind to be offered to home buyers free of charge by a residential estate in WA, delivering a net 40 per cent discount on daytime solar energy.

Another development focused on environmental outcomes is Bushmead Estate by Cedar Woods, winner in the Residential Development (over 250 lots) category.

“Bushmead is an EnviroDevelopment certified project that offers a range of environmental, health and cost benefits to its residents,” Ms Steinbeck said.

“The judges were impressed with the strong community engagement with residents who are actively involved in community events, sustainability initiatives and planning for their local area.”

In the South-West, Dalyellup Beach Estate by Satterley Property Group and Department of Communities proved that over two decades this development has stood the test of time, winning the best Masterplanned Development award.

Dalyellup Beach Estate.
Camera IconDalyellup Beach Estate. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

“Ultimately set to house over 11,000 residents, Dalyellup Beach Estate features over 50ha of parks and gardens, 25km of bike and walk trails and its own piece of preserved tuart forest,” Ms Steinbeck said. “It is a meticulously designed estate with a strong vision.”

Another regional project recognised at the awards was the impressive Chinatown Revitalisation by the Shire of Broome.

“This project has successfully re-positioned Chinatown as the ‘historical heart’ of Broome by engaging meaningfully with the local community and paying respect to the complex cultural history of the area,” Ms Steinbeck said.

Local government was also successful in the Excellence in Social and Community Infrastructure category.

The City of Armadale won for the Armadale Fitness and Aquatic Centre, which features a range of facilities for locals including indoor and outdoor pools, a wellness suite, spa, sauna and zero-depth splash pad all heated via a geothermal bore.

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Camera IconImage Credit: Supplied/Supplied

In the Seniors Living category, Australis at Rossmoyne by Hames Sharley and Adventist Care was recognised for the lifestyle opportunities afforded to residents due to the large, well-integrated communal areas and architecturally designed living spaces.

The Excellence in Marketing category had joint winners, Verge by Now Living and the Claremont Rent to Buy Campaign by Mirvac.

Both unique initiatives that are assisting to get more people into home ownership.

Stockland won the inaugural Diversity in Development Award for their commitment and leadership in implementing a comprehensive suite of diversity and inclusion policies and programs that are embedded in their organisational culture.

“I congratulate the winners across all the categories that have shown their dedication and commitment to the continued growth and development of our beautiful state,” Ms Steinbeck said.

“These awards are an opportunity for the people of WA to see and understand the quality development that is occurring and how the development industry is contributing to the quality places that make up our community.”

2019 UDIA WA AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE

Russel Perry Award for Urban Development Excellence: Cirque Mount Pleasant by Stirling Capital Judges Award: Carrington 57 by Parcel Property EnviroDevelopment Chairman’s Choice: Allara by Satterley Property Group and LandCorp Residential development (more than 250 lots): Bushmead by Cedar Woods Residential development (250 lots or fewer): The Amble Estate by Yolk Property Group and Department of Communities Masterplanned Development: Dalyellup Beach Estate by Satterley Property Group Affordable Development: Nicheliving Willetton by Nicheliving High Density Development: Cirque Mount Pleasant by Stirling Capital Medium Density Development: Botanical Apartments by Edge Visionary Living Urban Renewal: Chinatown Revitalisation by Shire of Broome Environmental Excellence: The Amble Estate by Yolk Property Group and Department of Communities Seniors Living: Australis at Rossmoyne by Hames Sharley and Adventist Care Excellence in Social and Community Infrastructure: Armadale Fitness and Aquatic Centre by City of Armadale Excellence in Marketing: Verge by Now Living, and Claremont (Rent to Buy Campaign) by Mirvac Diversity in Development: Stockland Young Development Professional Award: Daniel Panickar, Eco Logical Australia Women in Leadership Award: Tiffany Allen, Department of Communities