Tenacity and talent take the crown at 2024 Mackay & Whitsunday Housing & Construction Awards

17 August 2024

The excellent craftsmanship and impeccable standards Master Builders are renowned for were visible in the work of every winner at the 2024 Mackay & Whitsunday Housing & Construction Awards.

Excitement was in the air at the industry’s night of nights at the Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre on Saturday 17 August, honouring the year’s best residential and commercial projects, and the individuals who have made standout contributions to the industry.

Fergus Builders took out an incredible eight Awards – the highest number for one builder so far this season. The team won both the highly-regarded McInnes Wilson Lawyers Project of the Year Award and Education Facilities over $10 million for the world-class Whitsunday Anglican School – STEAM Centre – a first for the region. In the commercial category, their work on the Mackay Apartments won them best Community Service Facilities, while the North Jacklin Motor Group Refurbishment achieved Commercial Refurbishment/Renovation up to $5 million.

Fergus Builders’ work on four stunning homes was also rewarded, including Individual Home up to $400,000 for Meadow View (Beaconsfield), Individual Home from $400,000 up to $550,000 for Ella New (Bakers Creek), Individual Home from $550,000 up to $700,000 for Mist Cove (Shoal Point), and Home Renovation Project from $450,000 up to $600,000 for Stella Rise (Alligator Creek).

Cotter Builders celebrated an impressive four Award wins, including the sought-after BUSSQ Building President’s Award, Best Residential Bathroom and Individual Home from $700,000 up to $850,000 for coastal-modern-Mediterranean fusion masterpiece, Villa Ta Lumi; while in-demand young gun Riley Smith was named Apprentice of the Year – the team’s Construction Manager having come on board on the condition that Riley would be his direct apprentice.

Rounding out the Major Awards category was Steve Knight Builders, honoured with the House of the Year Award for their exemplary work on The Lighthouse. The Airlie Beach beauty also earned Individual Home from $1.5 million up to $2 million.

21 years of dedication and mentorship to other women saw Crystal Edwards from Carpet One Mackay honoured with the Women in Building Award – a testament to her invaluable experience and exceptional customer service.

Master Builders Regional Manager – Mackay & Whitsunday, Brad Dobie, applauded the winners across all 35 categories.

“I accompanied the judging panel for this year’s Housing and Construction Awards – my first as Regional Manager – and the only way I can describe this year’s builds and individual efforts is remarkable,” Brad said.

“We have been up against it in terms of challenges over the last 12 months, and labour shortages, a tidal wave of regulatory changes, and huge jumps in the cost of construction are continuing to bite.

“But as these Awards show, the talent and tenacity of our local industry is helping shape and grow the Mackay and Whitsunday region for the future and proving that building and construction is a great career path.

“I’m so proud to be a part of this industry, and to celebrate our members’ success, as well as having their back in the tough times. I can’t wait to see what the next 12 months brings.”

Major Winners

Winner of the 2024 Mackay & Whitsunday House of the Year Award – Steve Knight Builders for The Lighthouse

The Lighthouse lives up to its moniker. Perched on a hill with breathtaking Whitsundays views, this magnificent build evoked a WOW from our judges, who hailed Steve Knight Builders’ workmanship as nothing short of exemplary. The team triumphed over the steep site, craning materials up three storeys – the tradies carrying the rest up from the road.  The build celebrates the owners’ love of timber, while the open plan living, entertainers’ balcony and infinity edge pool complete this dream home.

Winner of the 2024 Mackay & Whitsunday BUSSQ Building Super President’s Award – Cotter Builders for Villa Ta Lumi

Michael and the Cotter Builders team have excelled themselves with Villa Ta Lumi, with their attention to detail and quality workmanship evident throughout. The home is a fusion of styles from coastal to contemporary, modern to Mediterranean, with its soft curves and archways, raked ceilings and exposed beams delivering a calming ambience. Boasting an entertainer’s kitchen, indoor-outdoor living, and considered floor plan, the level of finish on all aspects makes this an enviable abode.

Winner of the 2024 Mackay & Whitsunday McInnes Wilson Lawyers Project of the Year Award – Fergus Builders for Whitsunday Anglican School - STEAM Centre

A first for the region, the world-class Whitsunday Anglican School – STEAM Centre boasts the latest in education innovation and technology. The Fergus Builders team overcame challenges including limited site access in the centre of the school, demolition, and construction during normal school operations – plus a significant redesign due to seasonal rain – delivering on time and budget. Boasting state-of-the-art labs and classrooms, indoor/outdoor learning spaces, senior and junior libraries and teachers’ facilities, our judges hailed this build as an impressive achievement.

All Mackay & Whitsunday Winners

Major winners

• House of the Year Award – Steve Knight Builders for The Lighthouse (Airlie Beach)
• McInnes Wilson Lawyers Project of the Year Award – Fergus Builders for Whitsunday Anglican School - STEAM Centre (Beaconsfield)
• BUSSQ Building Super President's Award – Cotter Builders for Villa Ta Lumi (West Mackay)

Individual winners

• Apprentice of the Year Award – Riley Smith from Cotter Builders
• Women in Building Award – Crystal Edwards from Carpet One Mackay

Specialty awards

• Best Residential Bathroom – Cotter Builders for Villa Ta Lumi (West Mackay)
• Best Residential Kitchen – Matthew Brady Projects for B is for Bona Vista (Mt Pleasant)
• Best Residential Swimming Pool – Whitsunday Building & Renovations for Ripplecreek Entertainment Space (Cannon Valley)

Housing Awards

• Display Home from $400,000 up to $600,000 – Hotondo Homes Mackay for Lansdowne 248 Project (Shoal Point)
• Display Home from $600,000 up to $800,000 – Horizon Projects Mackay for Whitehaven 292 (Beaconsfield Heights)
• Home Renovation Project from $450,000 up to $600,000 – Fergus Builders for Stella Rise (Alligator Creek)
• Home Renovation Project from $600,000 up to $750,000 – Whitsunday Building & Renovations for Ripplecreek Entertainment Space (Cannon Valley)
• Home Renovation Project from $750,000 up to $1 million – Matthew Brady Projects for B is for Bona Vista (Mt Pleasant)
• Individual Home up to $400,000 – Fergus Builders for Meadow View (Beaconsfield)
• Individual Home from $400,000 up to $550,000 – Fergus Builders for Ella New (Bakers Creek)
• Individual Home from $550,000 up to $700,000 – Fergus Builders for Mist Cove (Shoal Point)
• Individual Home from $700,000 up to $850,000 – Cotter Builders for Villa Ta Lumi (West Mackay)
• Individual Home from $850,000 up to $1 million – Executive Living Homes for THE RETREAT (Richmond)
• Individual Home from $1.5 million up to $2 million – Steve Knight Builders for The Lighthouse (Airlie Beach)
• Individual Home from $2 million up to $2.5 million – NV Builders for JKD (Bloomsbury)
• Medium Density up to 3 storeys – 2 to 5 dwellings – Executive Living Homes for THE BEACHSIDE TRIPLEX (East Mackay)
• Medium Density up to 3 storeys – over 5 dwellings – Red Emperor Constructions for The Grove Stage 4A (Cannonvale)
• Best Use of Sloping Sites – Hotondo Homes Mackay for Haber Oasis Project (Sarina)
• Best Use of Steel Frame Housing – Hotondo Homes Mackay for Lansdowne 248 Project (Shoal Point)
• Ken & Nola Clark Memorial Award - Judges Commendation – Tin Lid Enterprises for The Grove Stage 7
• Judges Commendation for Innovation – Saltair Modular for Airlie Bungalows
• Residential Trade Contractor of the Year – R&R Cabinetmaking for Bona Vista Residence (Mt Pleasant)

Construction awards

• Education Facilities up to $10 million – WHF PMM for Eden Academy - Rural View (Rural View)
• Education Facilities over $10 million – Fergus Builders for Whitsunday Anglican School - STEAM Centre (Beaconsfield)
• Community Service Facilities – Fergus Builders for Mackay Apartments (West Mackay)
• Tourism and Leisure Facilities up to $10 million – Vassallo Construction for Seaforth Esplanade Reserve Redevelopment (Seaforth)
• Commercial / Industrial Building up to $5 million – Lowcock Builders for Nolan's Interstate Transport Warehouse Bowen (Bowen)
• Commercial Refurbishment/Renovation up to $5 million – Fergus Builders for North Jacklin Motor Group Refurbishment (Mackay)
• Commercial Fitout up to $5 million – Matthew Brady Projects for Flavours of Vietnam (Mackay)
• Commercial Trade Contractor of the Year – Coral Coast Plastering for Whitsunday Anglican School (Resource, Science and Design Centre) (Beaconsfield)