In a tribute to the outstanding workmanship displayed within the construction industry the Master Builders Association held its gala Excellence in Building Awards at West’s Leagues Club on 12 September with over 430 guests attending.

Over 141 entries were judged with a combined value of work exceeding $230 million. This presented the experienced judges with the enviable task of selecting the best of the best. The objective of the yearly Awards is to encourage, promote and recognise “Best Practice” in building and to establish benchmark projects for others in the industry to emulate. The entrants and winners not only set leadership standards for others to aspire to but promote public confidence in dealing with regional builders, architects and subcontractors.

The region’s economy has witnessed a solid pick up in residential construction activity in the past 12 months and the Hunter’s building industry continues to make a significant contribution to our region’s employment and wealth. There are over 20,000 workers deriving an income from the local industry. The projects displayed were a credit to the building skills of local firms and demonstrated the extensive business experience possessed by so many of the region’s contractors and builders. With record low interest rates we are starting to see a substantial increase in residential development approvals and the next few years look very encouraging for local builders and contractors.

The commercial projects, both winners and entrants, were of outstanding calibre. The commercial builder of the year, A W Edwards, were rewarded for their efforts in completing the Tamworth Education Centre. It was certainly a difficult choice for the judges when competing against projects of such a high standard as the Lawler Partners Commercial Office (Core Project Group), Port Macquarie Eye Centre (Lianda Constructions) and Tomago Rod and Conductor Factory (Kingston Building Australia) which were all worthy winners in different commercial categories. Automated Innovation was also recognised as commercial subcontractor of the year for their outstanding work on the National Disability Centre at Charlestown.

The residential awards continue to produce entries which demonstrate exceptional build quality, exciting new products and better attention to sustainability and energy/water efficiency. The residential builder of the year, Craig Marriot Building, dealt with a range of site and design challenges to produce an award winning home of outstanding construction quality in The Junction. To be recognised the best project against other worthy category winners including Beveridge Constructions (celebrating 50 years as a Master Builders Member) and Bakker Homes was a memorable achievement. Matt Sharpe (Mavid Constructions) was judged to be the Master Builder’s Young Builder of the Year and collected a number of awards including Medium Density Buildings and the WorkCover Small Business Housing Builder Award for Work, Health and Safety.

Twenty two local award winners will now progress to the National Master Builders Awards to be held on the Gold Coast in November, where the regions previous winners have claimed significant success. In 2013 Bartlett Homes stunning cottage at Morpeth and Brandon Calder Home’s Port Macquarie Harbourside Project were worthy National Master Builder Award winners