Windarra Recognised by UDIA for Excellence in Small Residential Subdivision
(L-R) Mark Creevey (Ray White Special Projects), Mark Bowden, Tony Williams (Ray White Special Projects)
Windarra, created by Mark Bowden Developments, has been awarded the Excellence in Small Residential Subdivision award at the Urban Development Institute of Australia's Queensland Excellence Awards ceremony.
Located at Bunya just 14 kilometres north of the Brisbane CBD and set among 100 acres of bushland, Windarra will be the last development of its kind in the region.
Developer Mark Bowden said the award recognised the innovative planning approach and best practice environmental management standards of the development.
"Together with planning and urban design consultants THG and environmental consultants Orogen we were able to preserve and strengthen one of Windarra's most important assets – its unique landscape and environment," Mr Bowden said.
"THG were engaged by the development team to achieve a unique and innovative planning outcome that saw the overarching planning scheme changed from 'park residential' to 'special residential'.
"This meant our team was able to create a community with a variety of lot sizes, some smaller than the traditional minimum of 4,000 sqm," said Mr Bowden.
"The result was a visually interesting development offering a range of price points to the market which in turn contributed to the commercial success of the project, with 90% of the first stage of 58 lots sold in just two months, with significant registrations already for the final Stage 2.
"This innovative planning approach saw us deliver 50% of the project site back to council in the form of community parklands and ensured every lot adjoined or overlooked that parkland, representing a win-win scenario for all stakeholders," he said.
Outstanding management of environmental issues, including innovative features such as the installation of two $1m bebo arch bridges instead of culverts and 2.4 kilometres of recreational walking tracks that double as a bushfire management scheme also helped Windarra secure the coveted award.
"I believe our Windarra submission stood out due to our best practice environmental management and our unique and innovative approach to planning and urban design. Both played a significant role in delivering not only superior outcomes for flora and fauna on the site, but also a higher yield for the development," Mr Bowden said.
Windarra's win at the UDIA Queensland Awards for Excellence follows its recognition for design excellence in planning by being awarded the Queensland Spatial Excellence Award for Land Development and Planning.
"To be recognised by such a prestigious organisation as the UDIA is a great honour and places Windarra among some of the most highly regarded developments in the state as well as setting a new standard for all developments throughout Australia.
"We look forward to doing Queensland proud at the National Awards later this year," he said.