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Urban Taskforce | Media Releases
The judgment is in on Australias top 13 property developments
01 October 2009
Australias most impressive urban development projects have been recognised at the 2009 Development Excellence Awards.
Urban development is an important contributor to our community and lifestyle, Mr Gadiel said.
The Development Excellence Awards recognise the very best projects that meet community expectations and are a commercial success.
This has been an exceptionally strong year for the awards - with a remarkable array of projects for the judges to choose from.
These developers have worked hard to make sure their projects deliver community benefits, care for the environment and adopt the highest standards of urban design and architectural distinction.
Chris Johnson, chairman of the panel of judges, said that the 2009 Development of the Year was the outstanding Jacksons Landing, at Sydneys Pyrmont Point by Vivas Lend Lease. The project also won the Development Excellence Award for Residential Apartment Development.
The Distillery Hill Precinct of Vivas Lend Lease's Jacksons Landing development is an outstanding example of urban design, architecture, environmental systems and commercial success, Mr Johnson said.
The precinct will house around 680 dwellings of a total of 1,350 within the overall Jacksons Landing area.
Although most of the precinct is not directly on the water many of the apartments get stunning views.
The project has become a commercial success with all buildings having excellent presales.
Sandstone has been used for retaining walls and landscape mainly features native species.
Nautical materials have been salvaged for reuse including giant 'rum balls' now featured in a park setting.
Water is recycled with a 70,000 litre rainwater tank.
The Development Excellence Award for Commercial Development was awarded to Mirvac for its redevelopment of the former Optus building at 101 Miller Street, North Sydney.
When Optus moved out there was a significant challenge to attract new tenants to fill 37,000 square metres, Mr Johnson said.
Mirvac refurbished the 1990s building, with new technology and new environmental features, over a 12 month period.
On practical completion the building was 87 per cent leased at substantially higher rentals.
The Development Excellence Award for Industrial Development was given to Goodman for the 31,700 square metre Coca Cola Amatil Distribution Centre at Eastern Creek, in Sydney.
Goodmans impressive industrial facility for Coca Cola Amatil at the M7 Business Hub illustrates the land use benefits of the M7, Mr Johnson said.
This massive centre has 2,000 square meters of solar collectors on the roof and collects 240,000 litres of rainwater for recycling.
The Development Excellence Award for Masterplanned Communities was given to Landcom for its development Park Central in Campbelltown in the south-west of Sydney.
Located near the centre of Campbelltown, on the old golf course, Park Central has 177 houses, 50 terraces and 186 apartments as well as a 310 apartment retirement village and 22,000 square metres of retail and commercial space.
The new development is clustered around a 10.5 hectare town park.
The masterplanned community cleverly manages water with sensitive urban design and bioswales.
The park has already become a major amenity for the residents and the local workforce.
The Development Excellence Award for Sustainable Development was won by The GPT Group for its development Workplace 6, opposite Sydneys Star City Casino on the waterfront at Darling Island.
This commercial building was the first in NSW to achieve a six star office design V2 rating and a five star NABERS energy and water ranking.
This project is designed to reduce greenhouse emissions by 70 per cent and water consumption by 90 per cent compared to typical office buildings.
Meriton was awarded the Development Excellence Award for Affordable Housing for Valentino Place, Rosebery in Sydneys east.
Valentino Place is a robust architectural solution to a large site, Mr Johnson said.
The project includes 266 apartments priced at the affordable end of the market.
Environmental standards are exceeded and significant amenities include a swimming pool, gym, cafe and a 56 place childcare centre.
Ground floor units are designed as dual use facilities that could become home offices or regular commercial spaces.
Through the use of simple detailing and materials, Valentino Place is able to keep prices down while providing a handsome architectural expression.
Brisbanes Portside Wharf, by Multiplex Living, secured the Development Excellence Award for Mixed Use Development. This impressive project includes residential, retail and the Brisbane Cruise Terminal, Mr Johnson said.
There were two joint winners of the Development Excellence Award for Adaptive Re-use.
Frasers Property Australia was recognised for its work in converting the former Camperdown Childrens Hospital administration building in Sydneys inner west to 10 apartments, offices, a pool and a gym.
Rebel Property Group and Capit.el Group were also recognised for turning an unsightly motel into high quality apartments in The Bondi development in Sydneys eastern suburbs.
The Development Excellence Award for Retirement Living was won by Kresner Group for Advantaged Care at Georges Manor, located in Georges Hall in south-west Sydney.
The exceptionally high standard of this years entrants led the judges to award three additional high commendations, Mr Johnson said.
Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority won a High Commendation for Sustainable Development for its adaptive reuse of a heritage-listed building as offices at 88 George Street Sydney.
Brookfield Multiplex received a High Commendation for Commercial Development for its office development One Shelley Street at King Street Wharf, in Sydney, which is fully leased to the Macquarie Group.
Sydney Wharf and Charter Hall secured a High Commendation for their Residential Apartment Development for Sydney Harbours final finger wharf development, Sydney Wharf at Pyrmont.
The judging panel consisted of former NSW Government Architect, Chris Johnson, John Ferrarin from WT Partnership, Robert Harley from the Australian Financial Review, David Tanevski from KWC Capital Partners and John Wynne from Urbis.
The Urban Taskforce is a property development industry group, representing Australias most prominent property developers and equity financiers.
