A program that put solar panels on the roofs of schools, an environmentally friendly mixed-use precinct, and a first-of-its-kind Integrated Communications Network are among the winners of the Property Council’s 2022 Rider Levett Bucknall State/Territory Development of the Year awards.

The awards are a prestigious precursor to the National Innovation & Excellence Awards, which will be unveiled at a gala in Sydney later this year.

The awards program, which is now in its 40th year in partnership with Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB), highlights creative initiatives, ground-breaking innovations, and motivational leadership in Australia’s property industry.

The NSW Development of the Year was the innovative 3 Parramatta Square, the iconic Olderfleet won in Victoria, the environmentally friendly mixed-use development Constitution Place Precinct was crowned ACT’s winner, and the specialist hospital Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Services complex took out the Queensland award. In the Northern Territory the Solar Schools Program was the state winner, while the impressive Central Park and Adelaide’s largest industrial park, Vicinity Industrial Base, took home the honours in Western Australia and South Australia, respectively.

Property Council Chief Executive Ken Morrison said the awards recognise the industry’s greatest work across the nation.

“Our awards celebrate the property industry’s role in providing great places to work, live and play and I congratulate all the winners for showcasing the sector’s dedication to communities,” Morrison said.

RLB Oceania Chairman Peter Tulla said the winners displayed imaginative, adaptable design, long-term sustainable outcomes, and inclusive planning.

“2022 represented another great cohort of entrants,” Tulla said.

“The calibre and quantity of entries in this year’s awards program were unprecedented. Each winning project is a testament to the enduring value property development brings to our skylines, our cities and our communities.

“The team at RLB has the pleasure of working on two of the winning projects with Tony Moleta involved in the stunning Olderfleet project in Victoria and Paul Megram contributing to the beautiful Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Services in Brisbane,” he said.

In collaboration with RLB since 1982, the prestigious awards have promoted excellence in design and innovation in the built environment. From 116 finalists, the winners were selected by a high calibre judging panel made up of 11 property specialists and chaired by John V. McCarthy AO.

 

2022 WINNERS 

 

New South Wales | 3 Parramatta Square | Walker Corporation

 

The award-winning, ambitious, and distinctive architecture and interiors of 3 Parramatta Square set it apart from other commercial office developments. This is demonstrated by the inventive techniques used in the creation of significant architectural elements and commercial office designs, as well as the techniques used to preserve continuous neighbouring access during the building phase.

 

Victoria | Olderfleet | Mirvac

 

Integrating a contemporary commercial tower with one of Melbourne’s most significant pieces of heritage architecture, Mirvac’s Olderfleet blends the old with the new. The tower utilises a Smart Building Technology Platform with an Integrated Control Network to connect all building management systems into one network. A tenant portal offers unparalleled access to useful building data.

 

ACT | Constitution Place Precinct  | Capital Property Group

 

Constitution Place, by developers Capital Property Group, is an environmentally-friendly, mixed-use precinct in the heart of Canberra city. It’s now home to the ACT Government, top commercial institutions, the 4.5-star A by Adina Hotel, and some of Canberra’s top dining and retail offerings.

 

Queensland | Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Services (STARS), Herston Quarter | Australian Unity

 

Australian Unity delivered STARS in an innovative Public Private Partnership (PPP) with Queensland Government’s Metro North Health, who operate the facility. The facility offers a new working model for healthcare services focused on patient-centred care and supporting recovery. It is Queensland’s first greenfield public hospital to have the integrated electronic medical record system from day one.

 

Western Australia | Central Park | Perron Investments & APF Management

 

The lobby of Central Park, the tallest office building in Perth, was the subject of a full restoration. Iconic Brian McKay artworks were relocated as part of the renovation, which also added business lounges, a new café, and contemporary office space.

 

South Australia | Vicinity Industrial Estate | Walker Corporation

 

Just 15 minutes north of Port Adelaide and just 3km from new $900 million Northern Connector, Vicinity Industrial Base is Adelaide’s largest master planned industrial park and provides easy access to the main freight routes in and out of Adelaide. With the knowledge that the road infrastructure was being developed by the state government for interstate travel, Vicinity was designed to have approvals for Road Train trucking, the only estate to have such approvals in the area.

 

Northern Territory | Solar Schools Program | Turner & Townsend and the Department of Infrastructure, Planning & Logistics

 

The Solar in Schools program supports the Northern Territory Government’s ambitious net zero targets with selected schools being provided solar systems and educational programs for students. The program has been an incredible success by reducing carbon emissions, providing a unique learning opportunity for students, and saving schools tens of thousands of dollars that is then redirected back into school budgets.