20 August 2020
LOCAL builders have embraced – and overcome the challenges of – the region’s rugged and unique environment with stunning results, at this year’s Master Builders North Queensland Housing & Construction Awards.
The Awards ceremony was livestreamed to an at-home audience on Thursday, 20 August, with more than 30 builders, projects and individuals recognised.
Watpac Construction kicked a hat trick by winning the prestigious Project of the Year award, as well as Best Sporting Facilities and Excellence in Workplace Health & Safety for their work on Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Delivering a vision formed over several years, the $318 million world-class venue took over one million hours to complete, with more than 480 local businesses involved in the supply chain, and 135 indigenous jobs created. Its design pays homage to the stunning North Queensland landscape. Featuring a horseshoe-shaped, cantilevered roof inspired by the pandanus plant, the stadium boasts panoramic views to the city, Castle Hill and Magnetic Island. Behind the scenes lie state-of-the-art facilities for home NRL team, the North Queensland Cowboys, other athletes, and performers, making it the jewel in the crown for a region where a love of sport runs deep.
Gedoun Constructions swept the pool with five awards this year, with its Cooinda, Nelly Bay project nabbing House of the Year, Best Individual Home $1.26 million – $2 million, Best Residential Kitchen and Best Residential Swimming Pool. With Gedoun Constructions having collaborated with both the clients and architect before, building this contemporary, double-storey Magnetic Island beach house ‘felt like getting the band back together.’ Featuring five large bedrooms, four bathrooms and outdoor bath and shower retreat, indoor and outdoor kitchens, and custom cabinetry throughout, Cooinda delivers the luxe family retreat the client wished for. The Gedoun team also won Best Individual Home $451,000 – $550,000 for the Elford Residence at Mount Louisa.
The standard of workmanship Fresh Homes is renowned for has secured them the sought-after President’s Award for The Eden Display Home at Julago. Sited to capture the country breezes and panoramic views of the mountain ranges, this magnificent four-bedroom home also features three living areas, gourmet kitchen, and terraced veggie garden in the landscaped backyard, made perfect for entertaining with its large alfresco. This home truly has it all, also winning the title of Best Display Home $251,000 – $350,000.
Master Builders North Queensland Regional Manager, Emma Peters, congratulated all 31 category winners.
“Creating positivity and celebrating quality workmanship is so important in the current climate of uncertainty,” Ms Peters said.
“Our Awards program did look different this year, like most things, but our builders have proven their mettle with the calibre of their entries.
“We build people tough in North Queensland, and these projects are testament to the resilience of our local industry. All our 2020 entrants should be extremely proud of their achievements.
“With projects like the Ingham Health Hub, Upper Ross Police Facility and Bohle TAFE Trade Manufacturing Hub also among this year’s winners, it’s fantastic to see our local communities benefiting from their stellar work.”
Major winners
World-class venue kicks goals ‘not likely to be seen again for generations’
Winner of the 2020 North Queensland Project of the Year – “Queensland Country Bank Stadium” by Watpac Construction
With more than 20 years’ experience building stunning projects in the region, Watpac Constructions was the perfect candidate to realise this long-held dream. The Watpac team excelled in delivering this $318 million project for client the Department of Housing and Public Works, in collaboration with Stadiums Queensland, North Queensland Cowboys, Townsville City Council and the NRL.
The bespoke horseshoe-shaped roof shades around 75 per cent of the stadium’s 25,000 seats, while it can accommodate 40,000 people in concert mode. Patrons can walk the full 600 metres around the stadium via a 9-metre wide concourse, with unobstructed views of the playing field thanks to lighting in the roof instead of on towers.
Facilities for athletes include player change rooms with dedicated wet areas, spa baths, warm-up areas, medical room and massage room, green rooms, event management and dressing rooms, while the sustainability box is ticked with the recycled water network.
Judges’ comments:
“A project such as this would always be subject to political and public scrutiny at every milestone and Watpac appears to have handled the delivery of this iconic North Queensland stadium with considered and appropriate professionalism.”
“To cap it off the Townsville monsoonal flood event eventuated in the middle of construction but to Watpac's credit the impact was minimal to the overall programme.”
“This is a magnificent contribution to the skyline of the city of Townsville, the likes of which we will probably not witness again for generations.”
‘Getting the band back together’ proves a hit for island family retreat
Winner of the 2020 North Queensland House of the Year – “Cooinda, Nelly Bay” by Gedoun Constructions
The client’s brief for the perfect sea change and family getaway has truly been delivered, with Cooinda living up to its name – an indigenous word meaning ‘a happy place.’ It’s created a lot of hype locally, which is no surprise given its stunning features, including five large bedrooms over two levels, custom-made bunk beds in the rumpus room, custom cabinetry throughout, two kitchens, and materials carefully chosen to withstand the exposed coastal location. The Gedoun team were also proud to have been able to select many materials locally, including fabricated galvanised steel framing, charred cladding timbers, and timber flooring.
This project wasn’t without its challenges, including waiting for favourable tides to allow the barge to transport heavy loads of materials. The custom resort-style pool – named Residential Swimming Pool of the Year – features formed up shot-crete on the outer shell, which was then tiled to perfection with small blue ceramic mosaic tiles – the workmanship of which was said to be ‘something worthy of being displayed in the Vatican’. Parisian Blue Granite rebated tiles finish the pool perimeter’s edging, recessed perfectly with the timber decking.
Judges’ comments:
“First impressions are lasting impressions and it's obvious the builder has paid extra attention to getting the detail right.”
“Galvanised steel portal frames were a smart move for building on the island with a relatively quick program for the structure. The range of materials and finishes with the inherent detailing issues especially at junctions has been handled with skill and craftsmanship”.
Family oasis with features to please the most discerning buyer
Winner of the 2020 North Queensland President’s Award – “The Eden Display Home” by Fresh Homes
This magnificent single-storey home comes with an abundance of features, certain to appease even the most discerning buyer. Sited on the block to take advantage of the country breezes and sweeping mountain views, this family oasis features three double-sized bedrooms with built-ins, three living areas, including formal lounge and media room, open plan family and meals area and galley kitchen opening onto rear alfresco, and even a kids’ retreat. With additional sustainable features such as energy-efficient lighting and plumbing products, and low-maintenance plants that keep water saving in mind, The Eden ticks all the boxes.
Judges’ comments:
“The standard of workmanship maintains the same consistent quality that Fresh maintain year in, year out. Fresh are professionals who make the job look easy and keep their clients coming back for more.”
“Great family home. Certainly a lot of house for your money without wasted space”
All North Queensland winners
Construction
- Health Facilities up to $5 million – Scott Anthony Gibson T/A Scott Gibson Building for Ingham Health Hub (Ingham)
- Health Facilities $5 million – $20 million – Paynters Pty Ltd for Townsville Hospital Clinical Services Redevelopment – Renal & Endoscopy Facilities (Townsville)
- Education Facilities up to $10 million – TF Woollam & Son Pty Ltd T/A Woollam Constructions for James Cook University Central Plaza (Douglas)
- Education Facilities over $10 million – Paynters Pty Ltd for Pimlico TAFE Block D Extension (Townsville)
- Sporting Facilities – Watpac Construction for Queensland Country Bank Stadium (Townsville)
- Community Service Facilities – W & F Constructions Pty Ltd for Upper Ross Police Facilities (Rasmussen)
- Retail Facilities over $5 million – J Hutchinson Pty Ltd T/A Hutchinson Builders for Fairfield Central Shopping Centre Stage 3 (Idalia)
- Tourism and Leisure Facilities up to $10 million – Jackson Semler Pty Ltd for Townsville RSL (Hermit Park)
- Commercial Building up to $5 million – Allan Constructions Pty Ltd for DM Group Commercial Renovation (Hyde Park)
- Commercial Building $5 million – $50 million – RCQ Projects Pty Ltd for Australian Taxation Office Building (Townsville)=
- Industrial Building over $5 million – J Hutchinson Pty Ltd T/A Hutchinson Builders for Lion Townsville Milk Distribution Centre (Shaw)
- Refurbishment/Renovation up to $750,000 – A. Gabrielli Constructions Pty Ltd for Bohle TAFE Trade Manufacturing hub (Bohle)
- Excellence in Energy Efficiency and Environmental Management – A. Gabrielli Constructions Pty Ltd for Bwgcolman Retail Precinct (Palm Island)]
- Excellence in Workplace Health & Safety – Watpac Construction Pty Ltd for Queensland Country Bank Stadium (Townsville)
Housing
- Home Renovation/Remodelling Project up to $275,000 – Lifestyle Constructions NQ Pty Ltd for Toolakea Beach House (Toolakea)
- Home Renovation/Remodelling Project $276,000 – $575,000 – Reef Coast Constructions for Cook Renovations (North Ward)
- Display Home $251,000 – $350,000 – Verticorp Pty Ltd T/A Fresh Homes for Eden Display Home (Julago)
- Individual Home up to $250,000 – Reef Coast Constructions Pty Ltd for Stradbroke 160 Laneway (Oonoonba)
- Individual Home $451,000 – $550,000 – Gedoun Constructions Pty Ltd for Elford Residence (Mount Louisa)
- Individual Home $751,000 – $950,000 – Martin Locke Homes for 1802 Custom Build (Railway Estate)
- Individual Home $1.26 million – $2 million – Gedoun Constructions Pty Ltd for Cooinda, Nelly Bay (Nelly Bay)
Specialty
- Best Residential Bathroom – Greene Homes Whitsunday Pty Ltd for Hamptons on the Hill (Airlie Beach)
- Best Residential Kitchen – Brad Kirkpatrick Builder Pty Ltd for Hampton's Charm (Richmond)
- Best Residential Swimming Pool – Greene Homes Whitsunday Pty Ltd for Hamptons on the Hill (Airlie Beach)
Individual
- Residential Trade Contractor of the Year – Paul J Mifsud T/A Kitchens & Joinery for Project Francis (Charters Towers)
- Commercial Trade Contractor of the Year – Peter Drew Bricklaying Pty Ltd ATF The Drew Family Trust T/A Front Foot Constructions Australia for Mater Hospital Pimlico \
- Campus Stage 1 Redevelopment Townsville (Pimlico)
- Trevor Mustey Perpetual Award for Quality Workmanship – Jeff Sexton from Lifestyle Constructions NQ for Toolakea Beach House (Toolakea)
- Apprentice of the Year – Bailey Carpanedo from Townsend Constructions NQ (Vincent)
- Rising Star – Ricky Townsend from Townsend Constructions NQ (South Townsville)
- Women in Building – Melissa Townsend from Townsend Constructions NQ (South Townsville)
Major
- President's Award – Verticorp Pty Ltd T/A Fresh Homes for Eden Display Home (Julago)
- Project of the Year – Watpac Construction Pty Ltd for Queensland Country Bank Stadium (Townsville)
- House of the Year – Gedoun Constructions Pty Ltd for Cooinda Nelly Bay (Nelly Bay)
ENDS
Media enquiries:
Melissa Seiler, Communications Advisor at melissa.seiler@mbqld.com.au or 3225 6424
Julie Russell, Manager Communications & Media at julie.russell@mbqld.com.au or 3225 6436
Christine Buzzard, Communications Advisor at christine.buzzard@mbqld.com.au or 3225 6418
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