Downs & Western builders showcase remarkable achievements at 2024 Housing & Construction Awards

23 August 2024

The exceptional work ethic, creativity and commitment to quality demonstrated by Downs & Western builders were celebrated in style at the 2024 Housing & Construction Awards.

The industry’s night of nights was held at Rumours International Convention Centre on Friday August 23, honouring the region’s most exciting commercial and residential projects, community facilities, and impressive individuals.

Hutchinson Builders swept the pool with an impressive six gongs. An unwavering commitment to personal and professional growth and her role as a valued and trusted mentor to female cadets in the industry earned Cody Lugg the Women in Building Award. Hutchies also cleaned up when it came to vital community projects, awarded Health Facilities up to $20 million for St Vincent’s Private Hospital ICU & Carpark, Health Facilities over $20 million for Bunya Centre Day Surgery, and Community Service Facilities for Centenary Heights SHS Music Excellence Centre & GLA. Their work in the retail space was also applauded with Retail Facilities up to $5 million for Hungry Jacks Harristown, and Retail Facilities over $5 million for Toowoomba’s Bulky Goods Warehouse Centre.

Windamere Homes proved a triple threat for Penny Home – the perfect symphony of luxury living and sustainability – winning the prestigious BMS House of the Year Award, as well as best Individual Home from $1.5 million up to $2 million and Best Residential Kitchen.

It was also a hat-trick for Lavish Constructions, taking out the coveted BUSSQ Building Super President’s Award, Individual Home from $2 million up to $2.5 million and Best Residential Swimming Pool for AUM HOM, meeting the Indian Vaastu principles key to its design.

F.K Gardner & Sons made it a double with the Erlandson Finance Group Project of the Year Award and Commercial/Industrial Building from $15 million up to $30 million for Toowoomba Toyota Pre-Delivery & Service Centre.

Rounding out the Individual category was Revamp Renovations, with founder and passionate mentor Thomas Lunney winning the Rising Star Award, after last year winning Home Renovation Project from $650,000 up to $1 million. An exceptional work ethic and leadership skills also earned valued Revamp team member Harry Eyers the Apprentice of the Year Award.

Master Builders Regional Manager – Downs & Western, Linda Rosengreen, congratulated the winners across all 40 categories.

“Being a part of our members’ journeys, during both the highs and the lows, is a privilege – and it was fantastic to come together to celebrate another year of remarkable achievement, despite the challenges,” Linda said.

“Huge increases in construction costs, the ongoing labour shortage, red tape and regulatory changes are making things tough in building and construction right now, especially as we work to help tackle the housing crisis.

“But our industry is known for its resilience – and Master Builders are renowned for delivering excellence, no matter the circumstances. Our 2024 winning projects and individuals are proof of that.

“Congratulations to everyone who entered this year. You are all an important part of what makes our industry great. I look forward to supporting you all and seeing an exciting new round of projects come to life in the next 12 months.”

Major Winners

Winner of the 2024 Downs & Western BMS House of the Year Award – Windamere Homes for Penny Home

Working closely with their clients before construction paid off for the Windamere Homes team, whose exceptional skill and attention to detail is visible at every turn in this 5-bedroom abode. Penny Home was designed with both luxury living and sustainability in mind and has been seamlessly delivered. From the ex-railway bridge Blackbutt timber flooring to the Low E glass, timeless stone features and soaring raked ceiling, our judges praised Windamere’s commitment to quality craftsmanship in this exquisite home.

Winner of the 2024 Downs & Western BUSSQ Building Super Presidents’ Award – Lavish Constructions for AUM HOM

Livability, design and innovation were key considerations for this build, with our judges praising Lavish Constructions for their innovative construction methodologies. This challenging and unique project required skilled workmanship, attention to technical detail and problem solving that resulted in a fully functional modern home to meet the Indian Vaastu principles key to its design. From the wavy walls and custom door frames to the fabulous pool and the glass walk-over pond at the front entry, this home epitomises quality craftsmanship.

Winner of the 2024 Downs & Western Erlandson Finance Group Project of the Year Award for Toowoomba Pre-Delivery & Service Centre

FKG’s commitment to every detail earned the praise of our judges on their work for Toowoomba Toyota. Communication was crucial to success across the three stages of delivery, resulting in minimal impact on the operational business and local stakeholders. FKG’s innovative waterproofing system achieved flawless results, while consistent quality audits performed on site, and the team’s professionalism and strong commitment to safety and quality, resulted in a high-quality project delivered on time and budget – with very happy clients.

All Downs & Western Winners

Major winners

• BMS House of the Year Award – Windamere Homes for Penny Home (Highfields)
• Erlandson Finance Group Project of the Year Award – FK Gardner & Sons for Toowoomba Toyota Pre-Delivery & Service Centre (Toowoomba)
• BUSSQ Building Super President's Award – Lavish Constructions for AUM HOM (Rangeville)

Individual winners

• Apprentice of the Year Award – Harry Eyers from Revamp Renovations (Toowoomba)
• Rising Star Award – Thomas Lunney from Revamp Renovations (Toowoomba)
• Women in Building Award – Cody Lugg from Hutchinson Builders (Toowoomba)

Specialty awards

• Best Residential Bathroom – Arden Vale Homes for Tsurisuto House (Rangeville)
• Best Residential Kitchen – Windamere Homes for Penny Home (Highfields)
• Best Residential Swimming Pool – Lavish Constructions for AUM HOM (Rangeville)

Housing Awards

• Display Home from $400,000 up to $600,000 – Gordon Bourke Constructions for Mantaray (Kearney Spring)
• Display Home from $600,000 up to $800,000 – Gordon Bourke Constructions for Whitehaven (Middle Ridge)
• Home Renovation Project up to $300,000 – George Built Constructions for Hilltop Home (Blue Mountain Heights)
• Home Renovation Project from $300,000 up to $450,000 – William Beale Lamble for Mary Cottage (East Toowoomba)
• Home Renovation Project from $750,000 up to $1 million – Tim Smith Constructions Queensland for Dunmore (East Toowoomba)
• Individual Home from $400,000 up to $550,000 – George Built Constructions for Novo (Mount Lofty)
• Individual Home from $550,000 up to $700,000 – The Renew Company for Callista (Gowrie Junction)
• Individual Home from $700,000 up to $850,000 – Urbane Build for Fairley (Mount Lofty)
• Individual Home from $850,000 up to $1 million – Downs Designer Homes for Project Vuse (East Toowoomba)
• Individual Home from $1 million up to $1.5 million – Arden Vale Homes for Tsurisuto House (Rangeville)
• Individual Home from $1.5 million up to $2 million – Windamere Homes for Penny Home (Highfields)
• Individual Home from $2 million up to $2.5 million – Lavish Constructions for AUM HOM (Rangeville)
• Medium Density up to 3 storeys – 2 to 5 dwellings – All Built Up for Arize Project (Middle Ridge)
• Best Use of Sloping Sites – Wuersching Industries Building for TAUGOULD (Prince Henry Heights)
• Excellence in Home Sustainability & Innovation – Titanium Homes for Passive House 2 (Harlaxton)
• Best Rural / Remote Home – S&S Timmer Constructions for "Doondi" Homestead (St George)
• Residential Trade Contractor of the Year – Concept Kitchens & Detail Joinery for East Toowoomba Project (East Toowoomba)

Construction awards

• Health Facilities up to $20 million – Hutchinson Builders for St Vincents Private Hospital ICU & Carpark (Toowoomba)
• Health Facilities over $20 million – Hutchinson Builders for Bunya Centre Day Surgery (Toowoomba)
• Education Facilities up to $10 million – Northbuild Construction Qld for Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School - New GLA's & Administration Building (Toowoomba)
• Sporting Facilities – Taylor Builders for Millmerran Aquatic Centre (Millmerran)
• Commercial / Industrial Building up to $5 million – Newlands Commercial Construction for LifeFlight Roma (Roma)
• Commercial / Industrial Building from $5 million up to $15 million – GFG Projects for Bradnam’s Windows and Doors (Charlton)
• Commercial / Industrial Building from $15 million up to $30 million – FK Gardner & Sons for Toowoomba Toyota Pre-Delivery & Service Centre (Toowoomba)
• Community Service Facilities – Hutchinson Builders for Centenary Heights SHS Music Excellence Centre & GLA (Toowoomba)
• Commercial Refurbishment/Renovation up to $5 million – Alliance Building & Construction for CSSD Department (Toowoomba)
• Commercial Refurbishment/Renovation from $5 million up to $15 million – Northbuild Construction Qld for Toowoomba Anglican School - Connal House Refurbishment (Toowoomba)
• Commercial Fitout up to $5 million – Newlands Commercial Construction for Queensland X-Ray South Toowoomba (South Toowoomba)
• Retail Facilities up to $5 million – Hutchinson Builders for Hungry Jacks Harristown (Harristown)
• Retail Facilities over $5 million – Hutchinson Builders for Bulky Goods Warehouse Centre (Toowoomba)
• Tourism and Leisure Facilities up to $10 million – Taylor Builders for Tara Aquatic Centre (Tara)