Judges' Comments

Following acquisition of this site by Villa World, a subsequent redesign and amendment to an existing approval led to the creation and development of a most attractive project.

Upon entering Arundel Springs on the central Gold Coast the built form of contemporary terrace homes frame a highly maintained landscaped linear park which transitions into more natural wetlands. Extensive use of natural materials as landscaping treatments have cleverly masked the necessary engineering requirements needed for control and cleansing of large stormwater flows dissecting the site.

The developer is to be highly commended for the strong collaboration with the City of Gold Coast over stormwater and access to adjoining land, leading to attractively created open space areas immediately beyond the site and improved habitat values.

Further collaboration with the Department of Transport and Main Roads allowed for the mutual beneficial export of spoil to an adjoining future road corridor as a result of 7 metres excavation from part of the site. This agreement facilitated development of smaller allotments with minimum need for retaining.

The judges noted that the documented Arundel Springs Place Code delivered quality, diversity and individual maintenance of homes making for a highly liveable environment.