Geelong developers recognised at industry awards

IT WAS a triple treat for Geelong at this year’s Victorian Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) Awards for Excellence, with three local or locally based developers judged the best in their field for their work.

Villawood, Warralily and Urban Land Developments (ULD) were recognised in the awards, which showcase the urban development industry’s finest work over the past 12 months.

Villawood’s Armstrong Mt Duneed estate won the Masterplanned Development Award, Newland Developers’ work on the Warralily estate won the Landscape Award, and ULD’s Lomandra project in Romsey was judged Best Residential Development (Less than 250 Lots).

Warralily is describing its development in Armstrong Creek as “the most awarded landscape in Victoria”, with its other awards including the 2016 Stormwater Victoria state and national award for excellence in Integrated Stormwater Design, 2017 Australian Institute of Landscape Architects award, and the 2017 Landscape Industry Association of Victoria – Landscape of the Year award.

“From its inception, this project has been driven by an understanding and recognition of the immense benefits an integrated Armstrong Creek wetland and creek corridor approach can deliver to the local community, environment and stormwater context,” Warralily urban design manager Jeremy Minter said.

As well as Armstrong Mt Duneed winning the Masterplanned Development Award, Villawood executive director Rory Costelloe was also awarded UDIA life membership.

“Many developers do a good job in creating master-planned communities with lovely parks and streetscapes,” Mr Costelloe said. “But Villawood’s community model – providing club facilities which become the community hub – sets us apart from the others. “

Judges highlighted the quality of the landscaping in the reserves and streetscapes as one of the determining factors that set Lomandra, created by Geelong-based company ULD, apart from its competitors.

“We strive for continual improvement in all of our developments with a focus on high quality landscaping and it is very humbling to have been recognised at these prestigious awards,” ULD director Ross Closter said.

“It was great to see other Geelong developments recognised as well.”