2 November 2012

Council scores hat-trick in Australia

Wellington City Council scooped three awards in the prestigious Australasian Housing Institute Awards, presented in Brisbane last night.

The entries were up against Australian award-winners from Adelaide, Perth, Tasmania, Victoria, Queensland, NSW, ACT and the Northern Territory.

Mayor Celia Wade-Brown says this is a huge boost for the Capital.

"These awards show that a people-centred approach to social housing is hugely successful – for the tenants, the Council and Wellington’s reputation."

The Council entered four projects, receiving top honours in two categories and commendation in another:

• City Housing Manager Vicki McLaren was named Overall Winner of the Inspirational Colleague award.
• Wellington Association of City Housing Artists (WACHA) and Community Action’s ‘Everyone Has a Story’ exhibition was the Overall Winner in the Tenant Led Initiative category.
• The Housing Upgrade Project was Highly Commended in the Leading Housing Solutions category. This work includes the redevelopment of the Regent Park Apartments in Newtown.
The Council’s Social Portfolio Leader, Councillor Stephanie Cook, says she is delighted with the awards.

“This is a fantastic result for the City Housing team, who have worked extremely hard over the past four years on these projects,” says Cr Cook.

“The awards are recognition of the team’s skills and innovative approach to providing better housing. The projects were up against the best of the best in Australia, and we came through with flying colours. We should be very proud of this result.”

The Housing Upgrade Project has previously won:
• New Zealand Institute of Architects Wellington Award (Regent Park Apartments) – Housing 2012
• Resene Total Colour Residential Exterior Award 2012 (Regent Park Apartments)
• Resene Total Colour Maestro Nightingale Award 2012 (Regent Park Apartments)
• Australasian Housing Institute – Excellence Award for Engagement 2010
• New Zealand Institute of Project Management – Project Manager of the Year Byron Roff – 2010
• NZ Institute of Architects – Wellington Sustainable Architecture – Te Ara Hou Apartments 2010.

ENDS

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