The Sunshine Coast Ecological Park Master Plan, by Hassell, was one of 37 winners of the 2024 Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) National Awards announced last week at a ceremony in Melbourne.
Across 16 categories, 37 winners were selected by the National Awards Jury, consisting of prominent landscape architects and esteemed built environment academics.
AILA National Awards Jury Chair Andrew Thomas said this year’s award-winning projects show exemplary thinking, leadership and results, and demonstrate continuing development in sustainability practices. “Many projects benefit the environment by reducing urban heat, increasing biodiversity and habitat, while also improving social wellbeing and offering economic benefits for local communities,” he said
A stand-out winner was St Peters Street, which earned an Award of Excellence for Infrastructure and a Climate Positive Design Award. Designed by Landskap & City of Norwood Payneham and St Peters the suburban Adelaide street has been transformed into a ‘best practice streetscape’ that underscores social and environmental sustainability.
The 900-metre stretch of road was previously defined by narrow footpaths, scattered trees, and wide roads. The jury described the upgrade as an “unapologetically wild space that nurtures both people and wildlife”.
The new streetscape includes passive stormwater infrastructure, biodiversity, and pedestrian amenity. This was achieved by retaining 97 large trees, planting more than 200 new trees, converting hardscapes to softscapes and improving the water cycle.
“The result is a symbiotic space for nature, pedestrians and cars,” said the jury, “a highly commendable representation of how landscape design can benefit – and entirely rejuvenate – an area.”
Baruwei Lookout, designed by CLOUSTON Associates earned an Award of Excellence for Tourism and a Regional Achievement Award. Located in the Northern Territory’s Nitmiluk National Park, the design prioritises cultural and environmental experiences through thoughtful planning.
Another notable winner, set within the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, was the Jabiru Lakeside Precinct Masterplan. Designed by Enlocus, Common & Stafford Strategy, the project received a Landscape Architecture Award for Tourism and an Award of Excellence for Cultural Heritage. The groundbreaking plan champions contemporary conservation techniques, traditional Aboriginal knowledge and Caring for Country principles.
In Western Australia, the City of Mandurah received a Landscape Architecture Award for Tourism for their project, the Kwillena Gabi Pool. The universally accessible inclusions are exemplary, drawing visitors that are unable to access traditional water-based activities.
In the Best of Landscape Planning the City of Melbourne with ASPECT Studios x TCL gained an Award of Excellence for Landscape Planning for The Greenline Project Master Plan. And the Sunshine Coast Ecological Park Master Plan, by Hassell, was honored with a Landscape Architecture Award in the same category. The Sunshine Coast Ecological Park is set to transform 65 hectares of farmland into a place of ecological wonder for generations to discover and enjoy. The design establishes a framework for a new parkland that will deliver nature-based recreation, education and research, while ‘healing Country’ by restoring its environmental and cultural heritage values.
