Affordable housing development takes out UDIA’s Project of the Year Award
Social and affordable housing provider Believe Housing Australia was recognised with the top honour at the 2024 Urban Development Institute of Australia (SA) Awards for Excellence.
Friday night’s UDIA (SA) Awards for Excellence saw Believe Housing Australia take out both the Project of the Year and the Affordable Housing award for its Mansfield Park Project, a ‘micro-village’ that 37 families now call home.
Mansfield Park offers a mix of social housing, specialist disability accommodation and family homes, all providing vital affordable housing, and judges said its overall standard of urban planning, architecture, landscaping and community integration was “exemplar”.
UDIA SA chief executive Liam Golding called it a “truly exceptional” development.
“Believe Housing Australia has delivered a simply outstanding project that complements and lifts the wider urban renewal in the area, delivering a welcoming place to call home with every essential service and facility at their fingertips,” he said.
Believe Housing Australia executive general manager housing services Stacey Northover said was a “pinch me moment” when their win was announced.
“Mansfield Park is an absolutely beautiful project and one I’m incredibly proud of,” she said.
“Not only is this recognition about homes and the build, but also about the ability to create community.
“It does show that community housing providers like us absolutely can deliver outstanding design and connection on a large scale.”
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Project of the Year is selected from the 2024 winners at the judges’ discretion. Last year, an affordable and community housing project also took home the top prize.
“I think this [recognition of community housing] shows that we can design, construct, manage and achieve successful outcomes for both South Australia and those who need housing,” Northover said.
“Whilst we’re in the midst of a housing crisis, we are ready to go, and this should hopefully breed some confidence in our [and the wider sector’s] abilities to be able to develop great communities and housing all in one project.”
The annual UDIA awards recognise innovation and excellence in development across the scope of each project and reflect the industry’s contribution to liveability in this state.
Among the 2024 winners was developer Otello, taking home both the Design Excellence and Boutique Development awards for its 5-home McLaren Street project in the foothills at Torrens Park.
Otello also received the Urban Renewal award for its Treno townhouse and apartment project on Railway Terrace, Mile End, which impressed the judges with its thoughtful design, high standard of finishes, light filled spaces and hidden rooftop decks.
Walker Corporation won the Innovation in Development award for Festival Tower, while Fairland took home the Residential Subdivision award for The Entrance.
Golding said the calibre of entries continued to raise the bar for urban development in the state.
“Despite the ongoing housing affordability crisis and other strategic impediments to bring housing to market, our members have demonstrated their commitment to delivering the houses that people will call home and the community spaces that makes South Australia the best place to live,” Golding said.
“Not only are they delivering housing, open spaces and amenities, but they are doing so in innovative and exceptional ways that improves the standard of housing across all typologies and enhances overall liveability.”
In the individual categories, Annie Russell, Villawood Properties development manager, was recognised with the Stuart Main – Young Leader award.
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Russell impressed the judges with her vision, drive and willingness to take on the challenges of major development projects.
Her drive to achieve, she said, came from seeing others in the industry.
“There are so many professionals in this space at the moment, particularly in my Villawood team and my wider circle, who are so passionate, talented and dedicated to the work that they do,” Russell said.
“They really go above and beyond for their projects and think outside the box to find ways that we can overcome the challenges that we face in our industry.
“I just find that so motivating, so I really look up to the people who I work with, and it makes me want to achieve more.”
GREENHILL principal civil engineer Cindy Oliver received the Women in Leadership award for her commitment to and demonstrated leadership within the urban development sector.
Sally Smith of Planning and Land Use Services, Department for Housing and Urban Development took home the Greg Waller Award.
Smith was recognised for her work, particularly over the last 12 months, in delivering the Land Supply Dashboard and for her leadership and direction in the drive to modernise and simplify SA’s new planning system.
“Of course, behind the award-winning projects and places are the people,” Golding said.
“I’m thrilled to have recognised and celebrated the sustained and exceptional contributions that three individuals have made to our industry.”
Other winners included City of Salisbury, taking out the Diversity in Development award for its Cohesive Salisbury project, and Villawood Properties’ Care Worker Support Program, which garnered the Marketing Excellence award.
Eligible winners in selected award categories will go on to represent South Australia at the UDIA National Awards for Excellence, to be held in Brisbane in March 2025.
Golding said it had been “another exceptional awards program with an ever-competitive field”.
“Our members continue to go to great lengths to create outstanding developments, open spaces and amenities,” he said.
“From quality affordable housing for those most in need and premium boutique and apartment living, to urban renewal developments and innovative energy solutions that drive down ongoing costs, the Awards for Excellence demonstrate the significant and valuable contributions that our sector is making to the growth and future of South Australia.”
To see the full list of winners and read more about the UDIA Awards for Excellence, visit udiasa.com.au
The awards are supported by the following sponsors:
Major sponsor – nbn Australia
Media partner – InDaily
Category sponsors – Alexander Symonds, Bluescope TRUECORE® steel, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Finlaysons Lawyers, Holmes Dyer, Homes for Homes, InDaily, Junction Australia, Local Government Association of South Australia, nbn Australia, Oliver Hume, Renewal SA, SA Water, Simple Integrated Marketing, Sullivan Consulting and Whittles
