From new land developments in Adelaide’s north to an electric car charging network, the finalists in this year’s Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) SA Awards for Excellence are making the state a better place to live.

Design Excellence, Boutique Development, Urban Renewal, Professional Consulting, Apartments (Mid-rise), Affordable Housing and Project of the Year are among the 13 project awards that will be presented on August 2.

UDIA SA chief executive Liam Golding said the awards “showcase and celebrate the best of the best” across the urban development spectrum “from planning, engineering and design to building, landscaping and marketing – and everything in between”.

“With housing affordability and supply at the top of a list of challenges facing our state, and at the forefront of the State Government’s agenda, it’s pleasing to see our industry really stepping up to the mark and playing a vital role in bringing a broad range of housing to market,” Golding said.

The housing boom around Angle Vale in Adelaide’s north has seen two new developments in the area recognised as finalists.

Field and Country at Lewiston, developed by Oakford Homes, offers a return to the quarter-acre block of past generations with minimum block sizes of 10,000 square metres. The development’s plans include wetlands, reserves and walking trails to further enhance the rural setting.

Nearby, The Entrance by Fairland is also being recognised. The development borders a winery and vineyard and is on prime land minutes from shopping, schools and services.

The masterplanned Newbridge development has transformed the former site of the Murray Bridge Racing Club

The final release in the master-planned Newbridge housing development at Murray Bridge has also made this year’s list. Sited next to the town’s golf course, the project by Burke Urban Developments wraps around two new golf fairways, providing green vistas and ready-made leisure opportunities.

“Again, we received a broad range of nominations that demonstrate UDIA members are approaching their work with courage, boldness and innovation,” Golding said.

“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.

“It’s also why our awards program has a long history of setting new standards for development and driving South Australian success stories into the national spotlight.”

Burke Urban Developments has a second finalist in its Newenham Bridge, a world-first bridge constructed with 70 per cent unprocessed, mixed post-consumer soft plastics developed by local composite manufacturer Sustainable Infrastructure Systems in collaboration with The University of Adelaide.

Almost 500 kilograms of the plastics were used in the bridge, which has a structural strength on par with concrete.

The RAA’s public electric vehicle charging network, RAA Charge, is also a finalist in this year’s awards.

Normanville SLSC opened in time for the influx of Christmas holiday-makers

The District Council of Yankalilla’s new Normanville Surf Life Saving Club and café/kiosk is another finalist. Part of the Normanville foreshore masterplan, the new complex is built to withstand severe coastal conditions while being low maintenance and energy efficient.

TAARNBY™ is also in the running for its consultancy work on building more affordable housing to attract and retain key workers, such as police, teachers and healthcare workers to the state’s regions.

“Innovation is a key driver of the awards and each year we continue to see innovative thinking, innovative technology and innovative approaches to land use driving exceptional outcomes across the state. And this year was no exception,” Golding said.

“Importantly, the Awards also recognise the people who are behind these celebrated places and spaces.”

The awards program includes three individual awards recognising excellence, innovation and contribution: Women in Leadership; Stuart Main – Young Leader; and Greg Waller Award – for exemplary contribution to and in support of the urban development industry.

Winners of the South Australian awards may go on to enter the UDIA National Awards for Excellence in 2025.

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
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, Sullivan Consulting and Whittles