The Nicholas Street Precinct development has won one of the most prestigious state construction awards for 2022.
Hutchinson Builders won the best Tourism and Leisure Facilities over $10 million award at the Master Builders Queensland 2022 Brisbane Housing and Construction Awards.
Ipswich Central Redevelopment Committee Chairperson and Division 3 Councillor Marnie Doyle said the award was a significant win for council’s construction partners Hutchinson Builders and for the entire community.
“This is a wonderful recognition of council’s bold vision and strategy to transform this neglected part of the city into a vibrant and exciting place for the community to use and enjoy and to draw more jobs and investment to the CBD,” Cr Doyle said.
“We have had a successful partnership with Hutchinson Builders, which has taken our plans from drawing board to reality, and created the buildings and spaces which make Nicholas Street Precinct a great place to work, eat and play.”
“The award comes on the heels of the Queensland Australian Institute of Landscape Architects Awards where the precinct was announced winner of the 2022 Landscape Architecture Award for Landscape Planning,” Cr Doyle said.
“Businesses are starting to open their doors in the recently completed stage of the precinct with council committing $41.5 million in its 2022-2023 Budget to the continued redevelopment of the previously derelict mall and it is so exciting to see the heart of Ipswich coming back to life.”
The Nicholas Street Precinct includes Tulmur Place, the new council administration building, standalone Children’s Library, Ipswich Central Library, rebuilt Commonwealth Hotel, and up to 40 new restaurants, cafes, bars and retailers (at various stages of completion).
Division 3 Councillor Andrew Fechner said it is exciting to be recognised as Ipswich Central continues to build on the positive momentum that the business, council and the community are creating together.
“We were also recognised for innovation at the recent Local Government Managers Australia (LGMA) Queensland Excellence Awards,” Cr Fechner said.
“Ipswich Children’s Library was awarded excellence in innovation alongside key revitalisation projects – a community shaping Ipswich Central Partnership and the Façade Improvement Program.
“The Ipswich Central Revitalisation project incorporates the Façade Improvement Program where council partnered with private business and property owners to provide matched, dollar-for-dollar funding of up to $15,000 to help improve local streetscapes, enhance walkability, and stimulate wider investment from business and property owners,” Cr Fechner said.
Twenty-one new businesses have opened their doors in Ipswich Central over the past year as the revitalised city heart goes from strength to strength.
For more information and to keep up to date with what’s happening in Ipswich Central visit Ipswichcentral.com.au
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