Corporate News

Villawood Properties has achieved a remarkable feat clinching three prestigious accolades at this year’s Urban Development Institute of Australia Victorian Excellence Awards.

The national developer’s accomplishments include winning the coveted Sustainability Excellence Award for its expansive Delaray Wetlands project in Clyde North.

Villawood also received the UDIA’s Marketing Excellence Award for its Care Worker Support Program, a program that extends $20,000 in savings to essential workers, such as police, paramedics, emergency and health workers, teachers, and personal carers.

Villawood’s long-standing partner, MESH, also received the UDIA Consultants Excellence Award for its exceptional planning work on the Armstrong Mount Duneed estate.

A spokesperson for Villawood expressed their gratitude for the recognition.

“Villawood’s triple win at the UDIA is a great peer acknowledgement of the efforts we undertake to drive better lifestyle, community and sustainability standards in greenfield developments,” the spokesperson said.

“Innovation, creativity and caring for people and the environment are foremost in the design of all our projects.

We try to raise the industry bar with every new design.

“Our UDIA excellence awards are a very welcome industry recognition that we’re doing just that – and also that the changing needs of new home buyers are receiving the attention they deserve.” The Delaray Wetlands project plays a crucial role in treating substantial volumes of stormwater from the estate and its surrounding areas.

This initiative filters out pollutants, enhances water quality, and contributes to urban cooling, wildlife habitat preservation, and improved public amenity.

The wetlands also serve as a protective buffer for Clyde Creek, which ultimately flows into the environmentally sensitive and biodiverse Western Port Bay.

This bay houses vital seagrass and mangrove habitats, providing refuge for a diverse range of international migratory bird species.

Villawood’s Care Worker Support Program was initially launched in Geelong five years ago and has since expanded to Melbourne and nationally into Queensland and South Australia.

More than 210 care sector workers have benefited from the program, and Villawood has contributed more than $3.45 million since its inception.

Mesh, the consulting planner, demonstrated innovation and forward-thinking in its planning efforts for Villawood’s 2,800lot master-planned Armstrong Mount Duneed estate, designed to accommodate 14,000 residents.

This included the creation of an exclusive, multifaceted resort-style residents’ club facility and a neighbourhood activity centre.

MESH played a pivotal role in overseeing the strategic planning of various facilities and parks, contributing to the development of a sustainable community.

Their visionary approach was instrumental in shaping Armstrong’s new brand, fostering community building, and driving marketing success.

Originally published in the Armstrong Creek Times 08/12/2023