With housing seemingly on everyone’s mind, it is hardly surprising that it is the focus of many finalists in this year’s Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) SA awards.

Among the finalists are affordable housing projects by Junction at Churchill Road and Clifton Park; Believe Housing Australia’s Believe Place at Woodville West; the Nightingale Bowden apartments from Housing Choices South Australia in partnership with Renewal SA; and SA Housing Authority’s Quintus Place in Dover Gardens.

UDIA SA chief executive Liam Golding welcomed this new wave of projects.

“With cost of living a real and widespread issue, it is reassuring to see South Australian developers are looking to innovative solutions and incorporating — in some cases focusing on — affordable housing that promotes wellbeing and a sustainable lifestyle,” Golding said.

With lift access to upper floors, private balconies and a community garden, the 9 apartments at Believe Place are delivering improved liveability

He said the Awards for Excellence is a showcase of the “best of the best” across the range of professions within the urban development sector, from planning, engineering and architecture to landscaping, surveying and marketing, “and everything in between”.

“UDIA members are passionate about South Australia and have a genuine interest in creating places and spaces where families will live and communities will thrive — and that’s worth celebrating,” he said.

“It’s also why our awards program has a track record of raising the bar and promoting better development — and elevating South Australian success stories into the national spotlight.”

Civecon Developments’ White Avenue Project is an example of the urban infill underway in leafy Fullarton

Award categories include aged care and community housing, innovation in development, urban renewal, boutique development and mid-rise apartments.

Some of the projects include Citify’s 7-storey, mixed-use Botten + Bowser apartments on Melbourne Street, North Adelaide; Civecon Developments’ White Avenue Project comprising 6 double storey townhomes; and Auta Group’s Parkside Place, which saw the old Fullarton Private Hospital site transformed into an upmarket residential complex with apartments, townhomes and a luxury two-storey home. Fyfe is also a finalist for the Newenham Estate Stage 11–17 at Mount Barker.

In judging the Awards for Excellence, a panel of respected industry judges tour the developments and assess them based on several criteria, including affordability, sustainability features and design.

Fyfe is a finalist for their work on Newenham Estate on the outskirts of Mount Barker

“Being new to the role, I spent a significant amount of time touring developments with the judges,” Golding said.

“Not only did I get good feel for the exceptional quality of developments in the market, but it also made clear to me that our members are approaching their work with courage and innovation.

“With ongoing market challenges pushing up prices of materials, straining supply chains and creating a shortage of skilled labour, our members are continually overcoming hurdles while delivering exceptional outcomes for people and communities.”

Auta Group’s Parkside Place is in a prime position for schools, shopping and access to the CBD

Charter Hall’s $450 million development at 60 King William Street is a finalist in this year’s awards. When completed, the project will deliver a 14-storey office tower featuring 40,000 square metres of office space and 3600 square metres of retail space.

Also making the list are two seniors living projects – Southern Cross Care’s Oakfield Rise Retirement Estate Community Centre and Uniting SA’s $11.4 million Westminster Village Aged Care Redevelopment providing a new 37-bed wing with private rooms, communal areas and a café.

The Awards for Excellence will also recognise and celebrate two individuals within the industry who, Golding said, “are making waves in the industry and setting themselves up to be future leaders for urban development”.

“[These two awards recognise] the importance of people in a thriving and creative development industry,” he said.

The names of those in the running for the Women in Leadership and the Stuart Main Young Leader awards are heavily guarded secrets, with the winners announced at the gala event at the Adelaide Convention Centre on July 21.

Golding was full of praise for the industry as a whole.

“Of course, the projects don’t happen without the people, and I know our industry is brimming with exceptional and diverse talent and strategic thinking,” he said.

“They are making real change, leading innovative solutions and setting our state up to thrive.”

To see the full list of finalists 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

Category sponsors — Alexander Symonds, Holmes Dyer, InDaily, Junction, Land Services SA, Local Government Association of South Australia, nbn Australia, Oliver Hume, Renewal SA, SA Water, Taarnby, Them and Whittles