Awards Of Excellence Nominations 2026

iDwala Pty Ltd

Mornington Peninsula Shire Council

Truemans Road Reserve sets a bold new benchmark for sustainable community sport infrastructure. In delivering this first-of-its-kind Australian netball court resurfacing project for Mornington Peninsula Shire, iDwala transformed six high-use community courts and showed how environmental innovation can be achieved without compromising court performance, safety or playability. By diverting approximately 745 litres of domestic paint from landfill, the project also demonstrated how greener construction can deliver measurable community and environmental value.

Melton City Council

Cobblestone Green Reserve demonstrates how thoughtful design can revitalise an ageing local park into a vibrant community playspace. Through community engagement, custom-designed play elements and inclusive design, the project delivers diverse play opportunities while creating a welcoming space for families, carers and residents. Indigenous planting and local materials celebrate the character of the Victorian Volcanic Plains and strengthen the park’s sense of place.

City of Moreton Bay

The Picnic Node Upgrade at Pirate Park introduces a modular smart‑furniture system with ambient lighting, accessibility and flexible layouts integrated directly into the furniture. This “furniture‑as‑infrastructure” approach delivers a safer, uncluttered and universally accessible foreshore node aligned with the 2011 Master Plan - a scalable innovation for high‑use parks.

Golf Australia

Golf Australia delivered MyGolf, TeeMates, and Women’s Get into Golf in Nhulunbuy, NT, engaging 100+ juniors and women in a first school holiday program in years. Supported by the NT Government, it offered multi-day sessions fostering skills, confidence, and inclusion. Participants encouraged each other, built connections, and expressed excitement for future sessions. The initiative demonstrates golf’s power to improve wellbeing, create pathways, and strengthen social connection in remote communities.

City of Melbourne

The Birrarung Marr Site 1 project revitalises Melbourne’s iconic riverbend, launching the city shaping Greenline vision. New promenades, boardwalks, lawns and gathering spaces reconnect people with the Yarra River Birrarung, enhancing access, biodiversity and cultural recognition. The renewed river edge is now a welcoming, inclusive public destination that celebrates Country and strengthens ecological connectivity. The park’s capacity for daily recreation and major events is cleverly expanded, offering locals and visitors space to pause, unwind, and experience the city from new perspectives.

Byron Shire Council

The Sandhills Wetlands in Byron Bay restore a landscape almost lost to history. The project has transformed a degraded and unsafe area that had been destroyed by sandmining, into an important public space where wildlife can thrive. Through strong partnerships and an innovative application of Connecting‑with‑Country principles to civil infrastructure, the Sandhills Wetlands provide habitat and healthier waterways, honour cultural heritage and mitigate flooding, and they provide a safe place for local and visitors to quietly enjoy, learn from and connect with.

Mornington Peninsula Shire

The Rye Foreshore Park and Promenade transforms a vehicle-dominated coastal frontage into an expanded, people-focused public space at the heart of this bayside township. Delivered as part of the Rye Township Plan, the project removed the eastern car park to create continuous open parkland, strengthened pedestrian connections to the pier, reinstated coastal vegetation and improved safety and accessibility. The result is a resilient, inclusive foreshore that supports both everyday community use and peak seasonal visitation.

Golf Australia

The Golf Australia Club Governance Program, developed with the Australian Institute of Company Directors, strengthens leadership and governance in volunteer-led golf clubs. Supported by the Sustainable Volunteer Workforce Program 2024-2027 participants in Regional Victoria could access the program free of charge. The Program improves strategic decision-making, management, and sustainability, ensuring clubs remain inclusive, viable community hubs while building long-term leadership capacity.

City of Darwin

The Casuarina Aquatic and Leisure Centre (CALC), in Darwin’s northern suburbs, has been transformed from a traditional 1970s style outdoor pool with limited accessibility, functionality and sustainability, into a modern, inclusive, family-friendly, community hub, unique within the NT. This $26.8million project has realised Council’s vison for a contemporary family aquatic & leisure facility, and delivers on Council’s strategic directions for a safe, liveable, healthy city with best practice and sustainable infrastructure.

Southern Grampians Shire Council

The Lake Hamilton Solar Lighting Project is an innovative, community‑supported initiative delivered by Southern Grampians Shire Council. It enhances the lake’s usability by installing solar lights along the main walking track and dog park, improving visibility and addressing long‑standing safety concerns after dark. While previously discussed by Council, the project was kickstarted in 2024 through a Hamilton Running Club budget bid, receiving full Councillor endorsement. The project demonstrates proactive planning, strong community engagement, ecological consideration and excellent execution.

Janeta Kursumovic is an emerging leader in the parks and leisure sector whose career progression reflects dedication, professionalism and a strong commitment to community outcomes. Transitioning from finance into project management, she now contributes to the delivery of major recreation infrastructure including the $145M Swan Active Ellenbrook project. Janeta has demonstrated leadership through acting in Senior Project Manager roles while undertaking formal project management qualifications, positioning her as a highly promising future leader in the parks and leisure industry.

Monash City Council

Pinewood Reserve’s upgraded sensory playspace offers an inclusive and welcoming outdoor environment that supports children’s development, social connection and community wellbeing. Strongly embraced by local families, it complements the nearby Preschool and Child and Family Hub and has become a valued gathering place for early years groups and the broader community.

Melton City Council

The Aintree Major Town Centre UDF sets a clear vision for a vibrant, climate responsive urban hub combining retail, housing, community facilities and quality public spaces. Leveraging natural assets like Kororoit Creek and existing vegetation, it delivers green corridors, active transport links, over 3ha of open space and a people focused street network, creating a lively, connected place for a growing community.

National Ageing Research Institute

The ENJOY IMP-ACT project evaluated a structured, community-based implementation framework to increase physical activity among older adults through the activation of Seniors Exercise Parks across six sites in Victoria. Results showed increased physical activity and group participation; a fourfold increase in the number of older park users; and a social return on investment of $2.50 for every $1 invested. The project demonstrated how the establishment of age-friendly active spaces, combined with community activation, can support healthy ageing and deliver broader social and economic benefits

City of Swan

The Swan Active Midland Change Village Extension improves accessibility and inclusion at one of the City of Swan’s most highly used recreation facilities. Supported by $1.7M in Australian Government LRCI funding, the project delivered family change cubicles, universal access amenities and Changing Places–style facilities. The upgrade removes barriers for people with disability, carers and families, supporting over 141,800 aquatic visits between July 2025 and January 2026 and strengthening the centre’s role as an inclusive community hub for health, recreation and connection.

Enviro Culture Services Pty Ltd

Albury City Council

Fredericks Park, affectionately known as “Turtle Park,” has been revitalised as a destination playspace for North Albury. Anchored by the iconic turtle sculpture created by artist Robert Baxa, the $2.2M redevelopment blends heritage, innovative play design and landscape to create an inclusive, multi-generational community hub. With diverse play zones, a bicycle education track and strong trail connections, the park now attracts families from across Albury and surrounding communities.

Tract

Fraser Property Australia

Tree Walk Park at Berwick Waters is one-of-a-kind, featuring a fully accessible elevated boardwalk through the trees. Part of the 50ha masterplanned community in Melbourne’s rapidly growing south-east, this bespoke-designed, accredited Livvi’s Place inclusive playground welcomes children of all abilities, their families, friends and the wider community. Tree Walk Park at Berwick Waters is a collaboration between Frasers Property Australia, Tract, the Touched By Olivia Foundation, City of Casey, the wider project team and the community of Berwick Waters.

City of Gosnells

Greening Gosnells – Where Could and Should All the Trees Go? is an innovative spatial prioritisation framework developed by the City of Gosnells to guide strategic urban tree planting. Using an innovative multi-criteria GIS model, the project analysed over 46,000 parcels to identify 1480 hectares of plantable space, with capacity for 180,821 additional trees and 988 hectares of future canopy. The framework integrates factors such as urban heat, canopy deficit, biodiversity and walkability, and is now guiding the City’s 2026 planting program to maximise shade, cooling and community benefit.

City of Parramatta Council

The Junction Street Plaza (Warawara Reserve) is a contemporary, youth-oriented facility located beneath the M4, revitalising a previously neglected reserve into an engaging public space. Created in collaboration with the community, it features multipurpose areas for both active and passive recreation. The innovative design accommodates a variety of activities, including a dedicated parkour zone and seating spaces that encourage social interaction. Public artwork contributes to the distinct identity of the site, while an emphasis on safety promotes comfort and inclusivity for all visitors.

City of Gosnells

YES – Youth Entertainment Space at Sutherlands Park, Huntingdale is a fully covered youth precinct offering year round recreation in a safe and inclusive environment. Featuring a large architectural shelter, skate and pump facilities, social play areas, extensive integrated smart technology including projector screens, speakers and coloured feature lighting. YES was shaped through extensive youth consultation. It has become a regional destination that strengthens community connection and supports active, vibrant lifestyles.

City of Gosnells

Mary Carroll Park Welcome to Country project transformed a treasured, underutilised wetland precinct into a culturally and ecologically rich experience for all ages and abilities. Featuring Noongar led design, it includes accessible facilities, an intergenerational inclusive playspace, recreational parkland and pedestrian bridges and lookout with spectacular views that foster community connection, ecological education and nature play. Emerging from the wetland, the design was shaped by spirit of place and community.

City of Charles Sturt

Green Adelaide

Breakout Creek Stage 3 / Purruna Pari has transformed 1.6km of the lower River Torrens from a degraded engineered channel into a living river corridor that restores habitat, improves water quality, strengthens climate resilience and opens 15 hectares of land to the community. With 11,400m2 of wetlands, 245,000 indigenous plants and measurable biodiversity gains, the project shows how integrated design and partnership can deliver lasting environmental and social benefit.

Camden Council

The Nepean River Trail is a place that connects People, Place and Story and exemplifies best practice in public parkland innovation and management. Connecting Camden Town Centre, Fergusons Reserve Cricket Facility and Camden Town Farm to the Nepean River, the 4.2km recreational trail harmoniously blends recreation, culture, and nature to create a continuous 64-hectare precinct.

City of Fremantle

Samson Park is one of the City of Fremantle’s most valued natural assets. A designated Bush Forever site celebrated for its remnant bushland, diverse wildlife, rich cultural heritage and strong community connections. The Samson Park Masterplan builds on decades of stewardship and the great work already underway, strengthening the park’s ecological resilience while enhancing community access, learning and care for country. The project demonstrates how thoughtful planning and collaboration can protect biodiversity, honour cultural stories and support deeper connections between people and nature

City of Fremantle

Samson Park is one of the City of Fremantle’s most valued natural assets. A designated Bush Forever site celebrated for its remnant bushland, diverse wildlife, rich cultural heritage and strong community connections. The Samson Park Masterplan builds on decades of stewardship and the great work already underway, strengthening the park’s ecological resilience while enhancing community access, learning and care for country. The project demonstrates how thoughtful planning and collaboration can protect biodiversity, honour cultural stories and support deeper connections between people and nature

City of Fremantle

Samson Park is one of the City of Fremantle’s most valued natural assets. A designated Bush Forever site celebrated for its remnant bushland, diverse wildlife, rich cultural heritage and strong community connections. The Samson Park Masterplan builds on decades of stewardship and the great work already underway, strengthening the park’s ecological resilience while enhancing community access, learning and care for country. The project demonstrates how thoughtful planning and collaboration can protect biodiversity, honour cultural stories and support deeper connections between people and nature

City of Melbourne

The Kensington Community Aquatic and Recreation Centre redevelopment delivers a modern, inclusive and environmentally sustainable recreation centre that puts the community first. Through the provision of purpose-built stadium, aquatic and fitness facilities as well as flexible, multi-purpose community spaces, the new centre delivers on the City of Melbourne’s strategic priorities around supporting everyone in our community to live active, healthy and socially connected lives.

City of Campbelltown

The Monaro Crescent Reserve Playspace upgrade exemplifies the City of Campbelltown’s vision of “A safe, sustainable, vibrant Community.” Through strong community engagement and collaboration with Thorndon Park Primary School students, the project transformed an ageing playground into a landscape-led playspace that embraces the site’s natural slope, incorporates sustainable materials, and provides inclusive play and recreation opportunities for local families, residents and visitors.

City of Charles Sturt

Green Adelaide

Breakout Creek / Purruna Pari Stage 3 has transformed 1.6km of the lower River Torrens into a vibrant, accessible and culturally meaningful linear park. Opening 15 hectares of previously fenced land, it combines wetlands, habitat, shared paths, viewing decks, picnic spaces, horse agistment and Kaurna artworks to create a place that supports recreation, biodiversity, safety and community connection while strengthening the River Torrens Linear Park green network.

City of Gosnells

YES – Youth Entertainment Space at Sutherlands Park, Huntingdale is a fully covered youth precinct offering year-round recreation in a safe and inclusive environment. Featuring a large architectural shelter, skate and pump facilities, social play areas, extensive integrated smart technology including projector screens, speakers, and coloured feature lighting. YES was shaped through extensive youth consultation. It has become a regional destination that strengthens community connection and supports active, vibrant lifestyles.