The 2020 winners of The Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) Wingate National Awards for Excellence have just been announced.
Each year the awards shine a light on the world-class developments taking place across the nation and demonstrate excellence, quality and industry best practice, whilst celebrating the contributions of architects, engineers, environmental professionals and consultants.
This year the prestigious awards were announced in a unique online event on 12 May hosted by comedian and urban design fan Tim “Rosso” Ross.
Simon Basheer, UDIA National President, said that the winners across fifteen award categories were drawn from the ‘best of the best’ in each state, as determined by the judges – highly experienced industry leaders Alan Zammit AM, Nicola Smith and Tony Marshall.
“Winners include eleven world-class urban development projects, as well as the year’s best young leader, Women in Development leadership award and the organisation that demonstrated the strongest commitment to diversity,” he said.
“In addition, from all winners, one project received the President’s Award. This project must demonstrate outstanding achievement and the highest standards of practice.”
“The recipient of the President’s Award must also be capable of making an exceptional contribution to the public standing of contemporary development in Australia and is only bestowed upon the best of the best,” Mr Basheer detailed.
The award process is rigorous – taking eight months from launch through to the completion of judging. The judges visit every site in person, as well as reviewing the accompanying written submissions.
With 69 outstanding finalists, Mr Basheer said this year competition was fierce, and the judges certainly had their work cut out for them.
Helen Dyer, an experienced leader in the property and development industry, was crowned as the winner of the Frasers Property Women in Leadership Award.
This award acknowledges the positive contribution of women to the development industry in Australia and recognises the achievements of outstanding women working at mid to senior levels within the industry.
Nominees must demonstrate leadership ability within an organisation or within the development industry as a whole, and during the process they must provide examples in which they have introduced innovations into their workplace, the industry or in relation to a specific project. They must also demonstrate how they have had a positive influence, acting as a mentor or role model for more junior professionals.
Selected from amongst five finalists in the category, Helen Dyer has helped shape planning, develop environmental law and influence public policy in South Australia. She has also helped to transform urban development outcomes, within both the public and private sectors.
The judges said that Helen is passionate about helping others develop their careers in property and since 2015 has been delivering annual professional development programmes for UDIA South Australia.
“Helen’s great commitment to sharing her knowledge and experience by mentoring up-and-coming property development professionals, ensures we have a strong future of young leaders following in her footsteps,” they said.
“Her contributions to the property development industry are many, highly valued and well recognised and her zest to continue to reach higher is inspirational.”
This year the Young Leaders Award went to a dynamic, environmental expert from Perth, Daniel Panickar, who was recognised on the national stage for his strong commitment to the urban development industry and his mentorship of other young professionals.
Mr Panickar is the Manager and Bushfire Lead – Western Australia at Eco Logical Australia.
His role at Eco Logical spans across the land development industry, working for a range of clients in several regions across Western Australia to deliver long term environmental and bushfire solutions.
Mr Panickar is responsible for 22 team members across the fields of environmental approvals, bushfire management, ecology and Geographic Information Systems.
In his application for the award, Mr Panickar said that one of his career goals is to be recognised throughout the industry as a leader in the provision of environmental and bushfire consulting services to the land development sector.
The judges said that Mr Panickar’s passion, drive and commitment to improve the development industry is undeniable.
“As an extremely motivated high achiever, Daniel’s career has accelerated, placing him in a position now where he not only holds down the highly demanding position of State Manager of national environmental consultancy Eco Logical, he also manages to find time to fulfil multiple voluntary roles on industry forums, whilst juggling post-graduate university studies and sustaining a rigorous fitness regime.”
“Daniel’s burning desire to be at the forefront of industry issues and to have opportunities to influence outcomes within our development industry is commendable,” they said.
Central Park by Frasers Property Australia and Sekisui House Australia recognised as the Environmental Excellence Award winner.
This internationally recognised, outstanding redevelopment project on the previous Carlton United Breweries site in inner Sydney, was selected from amongst five finalists in the Environmental Excellence category.
Carmelite by Southern Cross Care (SA&NT) was crowned as the Seniors’ Living Award winner. This five-level, vertically integrated retirement living and aged care facility was selected from five finalists in the Seniors’ Living category.
This award category recognises projects that have high standards of overall design, create a sense of place and have regard for energy and water-efficient operations and lifestyle themes for residents aged over 55.
Difficult site constraints including regulated trees, main road setbacks and the requirement for significant stormwater infrastructure, were ‘successfully addressed’.
Co-located with significant heritage buildings, the judges said that the result is a ‘striking monumental form segmented by selected stone facing, which is contrasted by a dark colour palette’.
“Orientated to allow residents to enjoy both city and coastal vistas and its attractive eastern suburbs location, has resulted in high demand for both types of accommodation,” they commented.
The judges were also particularly impressed by the apartment designs and spacious and well-furnished hallways and facilities.
Moreover, the President’s Award honour was bestowed to West Village by Sekisui House.
The judges said that West Village has transformed the former Peters Ice Cream factory site in West End into a vibrant urban precinct in inner Brisbane.
The site is steeped in rich history and through respect for its environment, creativity and attention to detail, Sekisui House has created a landmark “Living Heritage Village”.
“West Village’s innovative marketing approach has truly brought to life the project for its residents, workers and visitors who enjoy its unique setting. The delivery of an ‘artist in residence’ program on-site combined with local festivals and market days enabled demonstration of the project’s qualities in its early stages,” said the Judges.
Sekisui House adopted a highly sophisticated marketing approach with careful analysis and targeting of micro-market segments, coupled with an innovative digital marketing campaign. The project was also the winner of the 2020 Marketing Excellence category.
“I wholeheartedly congratulate the 2020 award winners,” said Mr Basheer. “They have truly demonstrated quality, innovation and outstanding excellence and should be proud of their tremendous achievements.”
A full list of winners in the 2020 UDIA Wingate National Awards for Excellence can be found below:
UDIA National & Frasers Property Women in Leadership Award
Winner: Helen Dyer, SA
Young Leader’s Award
Winner: Daniel Panickar, WA
Diversity in Development Award
Winner: Brisbane City Council, City Planning and Sustainability, QLD
Medium Density Development Award
Winner: Muse Neutral Bay by Helm Pty Ltd, NSW
Residential Development Award
Winner: Arundel Springs by Villa World, QLD
Small Scale Development Award
Winner: Parkville by Oliver Hume, VIC
Social and Community Infrastructure Award
Winner: Armadale Fitness & Aquatic Centre by City of Armadale, WA
Environmental Excellence Award
Winner: Central Park by Frasers Property Australia and Sekisui House Australia
Marketing Excellence Award
Winner: West Village by Sekisui House Australia, QLD
Urban Renewal Award
Winner: Essendon Fields by Essendon Fields, VIC
Affordable Development Award
Winner: Jingeri by BHC Creating Liveable Communities, QLD
Seniors’ Living Award
Winner: Carmelite by Southern Cross Care (SA&NT), SA
Masterplanned Development Award
Winner: Oceanside by Stockland, QLD
High Density Development Award
Winner: Cirque Mount Pleasant by Stirling Capital, WA
President’s Award
Winner: West Village by Sekisui House Australia, QLD