9 August 2024
Clever and considered craftsmanship, efficient execution and inspiring effort were celebrated as the best in the business gathered for the 2024 Far North Queensland Housing & Construction Awards.
The highly anticipated formal event was held at the Cairns Convention Centre on Friday 9 August, championing the industry’s most exciting projects and individual leaders.
It was a double celebration for Koru Building Contractors, winning both the House of the Year Award and Display Home over $800,000 for visionary Whitfield sanctuary, OMBRA.
Bryant Building Contractors also walked away with two gongs, including the sought-after Project of the Year Award for their innovative work on Newman Catholic College Stage 2, and best Community Service Facilities for the Pyramid Residential Care Centre at Gordonvale.
Rounding out the Major Awards category was Orr Made with the prestigious BUSSQ Building Super President’s Award for the impeccable craftsmanship on Far North Queensland first, Vastu on Oak.
In the Individual Awards category, exemplary workmanship earned Freshwater Designer Builders’ Bailin Ware the SKILL360 Apprentice of the Year Award. 14-year industry veteran and respected mentor James Watson of Watson Constructions FNQ took home the Rising Star Award, while passionate industry advocate Ursula Donnellan of Mark Fletcher Solid Plaster & Texture Coatings won the Women in Building Award.
Master Builders Regional Manager – Far North Queensland, Sharon Vella, congratulated the winners across all 37 categories.
“The last twelve months have seen us overcome some significant hurdles, but our industry has once again demonstrated its extraordinary resilience,” Sharon said.
“Our Housing & Construction Awards is our sector’s night of nights, and it was great to see so many people come out to celebrate and kick up their heels after another year of tough but outstanding work.
"Our judging panel had a challenging but enviable job when it came to selecting our winners, with every project and award recipient putting their own stamp of excellence on their work, showcasing the passion and quality that Master Builders are renowned for.
“I congratulate each of our entrants and winners on raising the bar once again this year, and every person who contributes significantly to our industry in our region. We’re so proud to be a part of your success.”
Major Winners
Winner of the 2024 Far North Queensland House of the Year Award – Koru Building Contractors for OMBRA
A departure from the Queenslander-style home that Koru Building Contractors is renowned for, OMBRA showcases a contemporary style that embraces its environment. The team’s vision of creating a sanctuary is realised in the striking entrance connected to the rainforest on this spectacular site. The home incorporates modern materials and innovative features, including intricate off-form concrete detailing, curved walls, and high ceilings, plus a self-contained studio. The quality workmanship, unique amenities, and environmental harmony made this a standout for our judges.
Winner of the 2024 Far North Queensland BUSSQ Building Super President’s Award – Orr Made for Vastu on Oak
Nestled amid lush landscapes, Vastu on Oak epitomises precision engineering and craftsmanship. The Orr Made team collaborated with expert consultants from India and New Zealand to ensure adherence to Vastu guidelines, while maintaining structural integrity and precision in realising every detail. Our judges lauded the craftsmanship displayed on what was a complex build with specific principles, including sculpting the soil to slope in a specific way, and strategically routing services in particular zones, delivering a first for Far North Queensland.
Winner of the 2024 Far North Queensland Project of the Year Award – Bryant Building Contractors for Newman Catholic College Stage 2
Newman Catholic College is the first of its kind in Australia to be purpose-built for integration within a university. Bryant Building Contractors applied meticulous attention to detail and innovative construction methods to the tilt-up concrete wall panels and trussed roof, delivering exemplary quality on this complex project. Despite tight site constraints and the build being completed during term time, our judges praised the Bryant team for expertly managing challenges with careful planning and efficient execution, seamlessly integrating old and new.
All Far North Queensland Winners
Major winners
- House of the Year Award – Koru Building Contractors for OMBRA (Whitfield)
- Project of the Year Award – Bryant Building Contractors for Newman Catholic College Stage 2 (Smithfield)
- BUSSQ Building Super President's Award – Orr Made for Vastu on Oak (Oak Beach)
Individual winners
- SKILL360 Apprentice of the Year Award – Bailin Ware from Freshwater Designer Builders
- Rising Star Award – James Watson from Watson Constructions FNQ
- Women in Building Award – Ursula Donnellan from Mark Fletcher Solid Plaster & Texture Coatings
Specialty awards
- Best Residential Bathroom – Freedom Constructions Qld for Kewarra Beach Abode (Kewarra Beach)
- Best Residential Kitchen – Clifford Homes for CASA DEL SOL (Mission Beach)
- Best Residential Swimming Pool – McIntosh Builders for Dalrymple (Edge Hill)
Housing awards
- Display Home up to $400,000 – Five Rivers Constructions for Cherrybrook Display (Bentley Park)
- Display Home from $400,000 up to $600,000 – MyStyle Homes Cairns for MyBeach Haven (Palm Cove)
- Display Home over $800,000 – Koru Building Contractors for OMBRA (Whitfield)
- Individual Home up to $400,000 – KCA Constructions FNQ for The Wilderness Design (Mount Peter Edmonton)
- Individual Home from $400,000 up to $550,000 – Tailored Homes Cairns for Smith’s Residence (Goldsborough)
- Individual Home from $550,000 up to $700,000 – Jennings Constructions (QLD) for Seaside Residence (Palm Cove)
- Individual Home from $700,000 up to $850,000 – Superior Steel Homes NQ for Lakeside Oasis (Yungaburra)
- Individual Home from $850,000 up to $1 million – Richardsons Building Service for Kanimbla Heights Project (Kanimbla)
- Individual Home from $1 million up to $1.5 million – Craig Cooper Builders for Naya Haus (Bayview Heights)
- Individual Home from $1.5 million up to $2 million – Matt Greenwood Constructions for CLARIDGE (Forest Gardens)
- Home Renovation Project up to $300,000 – Hiles Construction for Arlington (Clifton Beach)
- Home Renovation Project from $300,000 up to $450,000 – Cane Cutter Construction for Austins Family Renovation (Goondi)
- Home Renovation Project from $450,000 up to $600,000 – Freedom Constructions Qld for Kewarra Beach Abode (Kewarra Beach)
- Home Renovation Project from $600,000 up to $750,000 – McIntosh Builders for Dalrymple (Edge Hill)
- Home Renovation Project from $750,000 up to $1 million – Vis Constructions for Chatham Terrace Renovation (Smithfield)
- Medium Density up to 3 storeys - 2 to 5 dwellings – McIntosh Builders for James (Mareeba)
- Excellence in Home Sustainability & Innovation – QLD Kit Homes for The Forest Falls Home - Innisfail (East Innisfail)
- Best use of Sloping Sites – Craig Cooper Builders for Naya Haus (Bayview Heights)
- Truecore Best Use of Steel Frame Housing Award – QLD Kit Homes for The Forest Falls Home - Innisfail (East Innisfail)
Construction awards
- Health Facilities over $20 million – FK Gardner and Sons for Atherton Hospital Redevelopment (Atherton)
- Education Facilities up to $10 million – La Spina Construction for St Augustine’s College, Cairns Lavalla Stage 2 (Cairns)
- Education Facilities over $10 million – Bryant Building Contractors for Newman Catholic College Stage 2 (Smithfield)
- Sporting Facilities – Northern Building & Construction for Meraki Equestrian Centre (Mareeba)
- Community Service Facilities – Bryant Building Contractors for Pyramid Residential Care Centre (Gordonvale)
- Community Accommodation for Specialist Disability, Aged Care and Nursing Homes – MiHaven for The Concierge SDA Apartments (Mooroobool)
- Commercial / Industrial Building from $5 million up to $15 million – Richard Field Constructions for Screen Queensland Studio Facility (Portsmith)
- Commercial Refurbishment/Renovation up to $5 million – CMT Constructions FNQ for Cairns Plaza Hotel - Cairns Esplanade (Cairns)
- Commercial Trade Contractor of the Year – Niesar Painting for Pyramid Aged Care Centre (Gordonvale)
Major Sponsors
