Peet has been recognised on the national stage at the UDIA National Awards for Excellence this week, with Fort Largs in South Australia and Brabham in Western Australia named among the best developments in the country for setting new benchmarks in quality, sustainability and people‑led design.
The UDIA National Awards for Excellence celebrate the very best development projects from across Australia. Recognition at this level reflects excellence not only in delivery, but in long‑term vision, collaboration and commitment to creating communities that people are proud to call home.
Fort Largs
Fort Largs delivered an outstanding national result, receiving two of the program’s most prestigious honours – Best Masterplanned Community and the coveted Project of the Year.
The awards recognise the thoughtful transformation of a complex, heritage‑listed site into a connected, mixed‑use community. Delivered in close collaboration with Heritage SA, local council and project partners, the historic Fort has been carefully restored and re‑activated as a place that brings people together and fosters a strong sense of belonging.
Now anchoring the wider community as both a civic landmark and cultural destination, the restored 150‑year‑old Fort features commercial tenancies, event spaces and markets, creating a shared heart for residents and visitors alike.
The broader masterplan delivers 230 homes alongside high‑quality shared spaces designed to support everyday life and connection. A diverse housing mix, strong architectural outcomes, passive design principles, solar integration and water‑sensitive urban design initiatives ensure the community responds thoughtfully to its coastal setting while remaining resilient and future‑focused.
Together, these elements demonstrate national leadership in adaptive reuse, setting a precedent for how heritage assets can be respectfully integrated into contemporary coastal communities.
Brabham
Brabham Estate was also celebrated at the national awards, receiving the Best in Sustainability Award for its integrated, future‑focused approach to planning and delivery.
Brabham, delivered with project partners Development WA and Perron Group, continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in large‑scale, sustainable community design, with sustainability embedded across every stage of the project. A dedicated multi‑million‑dollar Innovation Fund supports the trialling, implementation and scaling of initiatives that go well beyond standard practice.
Key initiatives include large‑scale wetlands restoration transforming degraded land into thriving ecosystems, water‑sensitive urban design that improves water quality and resilience, and smart irrigation systems that significantly reduce potable water use across the estate.
At the home and community level, Brabham also sets a benchmark for accessible and affordable sustainability. Programs such as the Better Life Bonus support homes with energy‑efficient technologies including solar, batteries and smart energy systems, helping residents reduce energy use and costs without compromising liveability. These initiatives are complemented by strong community education programs, supporting residents to embrace sustainable living as part of everyday life.
Together, these outcomes demonstrate how thoughtful investment, collaboration and innovation can deliver meaningful environmental and social benefits at scale, while creating a connected community designed to adapt and endure.
Peet’s Riverbank community in Queensland was also nominated at the national level in the Best Residential Subdivision Award category. While it did not take home the title this year, national recognition reflects the quality, care and collaboration behind the project.
We would like to congratulate the Peet team, our team of consultants and project partners across all three communities. These awards recognise not just the built outcomes, but the collective effort behind creating places where people feel connected – and proud to belong.
Thank you to the Urban Development Institute of Australia for the recognition and for championing excellence in community-led development across the industry.
To explore Peet’s communities, including Fort Largs, Brabham and Riverbank, visit https://www.peet.com.au/communities/
