The growing appeal of senior’s living housing was on full display on Saturday night with Providence Lifestyle Group taking out the highest award at the UDIA WA Awards for Excellence 2025.
Winning in the Senior’s Living category of the prestigious awards program and then recognised with the highest honour, the Russel Perry Award for Urban Development Excellence, Piara Waters Lifestyle Village by Providence Lifestyle Group proved to be a showcase in how Land Lease Communities can provide high-quality, affordable living options for over 50s.
The Russel Perry Award is bestowed on the ‘best of the best’ across all winners at the Awards for Excellence.
“With an aging population and more people looking for secure, low maintenance lifestyle options, Piara Waters is an exemplar of outstanding quality in design and delivery,” UDIA WA CEO Tanya Steinbeck said.
“The sense of pride and community made this project a clear stand out with our independent judging panel, and it was fantastic to see several residents in attendance on Saturday night to help celebrate their big win,” Ms Steinbeck said.
The project features 244 architecturally designed homes with solar panels and battery storage, nestled within a masterplanned, walkable community. The village also boasts a range of amenities including cinema, swimming pools, dog park, lawn bowls green and multiple recreation zones.
This is the second year running that a Senior’s Living category winner has gone on to win the ultimate award, with Curtin Heritage Living taking out the Russel Perry award last year and then going on to win at the UDIA National awards.
“Given our growing and aging population, seniors living is a critical aspect of the housing continuum, and it is important that we continue to raise the bar and look at ways that we can deliver high quality, appropriate housing for this cohort,” Ms Steinbeck said.
While Piara Waters was the overall winner on the night, the individual, team and other project winners for 2025 all reflect the quality, innovation and design excellence that the West Australian development industry is known for delivering across the state.
In what is the 30th anniversary year of the Awards for Excellence, Ellenbrook by Satterley & DevelopmentWA won the Masterplanned category.
“30 years ago, Ellenbrook was just emerging and won an award at UDIA WA’s very first Awards for Excellence back in 1995,” Ms Steinbeck said.
“Ellenbrook is an iconic project, not just in Western Australia, but globally, and it has evolved over three decades into a vibrant, diverse community of over 35,000 residents,” Ms Steinbeck said.
The judges stated that Ellenbrook exemplifies every element of a true masterplanned community, with its multi layered villages, infrastructure, and outstanding amenity.
Another significant greenfield development project, Bushmead South by Cedar Woods won the Residential Subdivision category and another in the popular north eastern growth corridor, Brabham Estate by Peet Ltd, Perron Group and DevelopmentWA won in the Sustainability category.
Both Bushmead South and Brabham Estate were noted for their sustainable and innovative design elements.
Brabham Estate features one of Australia’s most sustainable two-storey homes, a developer backed multi-million dollar Innovation Fund, restored wetlands and a $13,000 sustainability incentive for buyers.
Moving closer to the CBD, Elysian Subiaco by Celsius Developments was recognised in the Apartments (Mid-Rise) category, reinforcing how quality infill development can enhance a well-loved, established local area.
The judges noted that the design of Elysian seamlessly blends into its urban context, contributing to the streetscape with contemporary yet respectful architecture.
In the Apartments (High-Rise) category, Blackburne was once again recognised for a landmark development project, this time for The Grove Residences.
Comprising 230 premium apartments across three architecturally distinct buildings, The Grove Residences delivers exceptional quality for residents seeking spacious living, high-end finishes, and extensive resort style amenities.
Another iconic high-rise development, Civic Heart by Finbar, won in the Design category. This was the second year running that Civic Heart has won at the awards, last year taking home the Apartments (High Rise) and Urban Renewal categories.
The judges noted that Civic Heart stands as an architecturally striking landmark on the South Perth skyline, making a positive contribution to the City’s urban landscape.
At the other end of the spectrum, DevelopmentWA received the Affordable Housing Award for Karda Way: OneOne Five Hamilton Hill.
The judges stating that the project provides an excellent example for private industry in how affordable housing can be delivered using practical construction economies as well as efficient lifestyle and operating costs.
The Social & Community Infrastructure award went to Hamersley Public Golf Course by City of Stirling, with the redevelopment project transforming a standard golf course into a vibrant community hub where people of all ages can come together to meet and connect.
The Marketing award was presented to Stockland for their distinctive ‘Freo First’ marketing strategy at Nara in Beaconsfield. With the judges commending the project for setting new benchmarks in sustainability storytelling, community integration, and cultural connection.
The two discretionary Judge’s Awards went to two unique projects.
With Sirona Urban & Ruah Community Services’ Angela Wright Bennett Centre and Skyfields by Perth Airport & Plus Studio’s Perth Airport Terminal 1 Sensory Room each taking out a Judge’s Award for their thoughtful, purpose-built design that is tailored to the needs of their clients.
Recognising fantastic teamwork, the Team of the Year award went to Cedar Woods WA who showcased a clear purpose to deliver better communities for Western Australia.
The Local Government Authority of the Year award was secured by the regional City of Karratha for their Project Dorothy that strives to address the regional housing crisis with innovation and determination.
Diversity in Development was awarded to Zenith Energy for leading diversity in renewable infrastructure development. Zenith Energy has demonstrated outstanding leadership in embedding diversity across its values, operations, and partnerships.
Finally, the individual awards went to two outstanding women working in the development industry, with the Young Leaders Award presented to Satterley’s Kasia Majewski and the Women in Leadership Award going to Niche Planning Studio’s Tamara Vreeken.
“A huge congratulations to all the winners at the 30th anniversary Awards for Excellence 2025. All the projects, teams and individuals recognised this year are testament to how the development industry continues to raise the bar to deliver vibrant, sustainable homes and communities to the people of Western Australia,” Ms Steinbeck concluded.
FULL WINNERS LIST
2025 UDIA WA AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE
PROJECT WINNERS
Russel Perry Award for Urban Development Excellence
Piara Waters Lifestyle Village by Providence Lifestyle Group
Affordable Housing
Karda Way OneOneFive Hamilton Hill by DevelopmentWA
Marketing
Nara by Stockland
Social & Community Infrastructure
Hamersley Golf Course Redevelopment by City of Stirling
Masterplanned Communities
Ellenbrook by Satterley & DevelopmentWA
Residential Subdivision
Bushmead South by Cedar Woods
Apartments (High Rise)
The Grove Residences by Blackburne
Apartments (Mid Rise)
Elysian Subiaco by Celsius Developments
Sustainability
Brabham Estate by Peet Limited, Perron Group & DevelopmentWA
Design
Civic Heart by Finbar
Seniors Living
Piara Waters Lifestyle Village by Providence Lifestyle Group
Judges Awards
Angela Wright Bennett Centre by Sirona Urban & Ruah Community Services
AND
Perth Airport Terminal 1 Sensory Room by Perth Airport & Plus Studio
INDIVIDUAL & TEAM AWARDS
Winner Young Leaders Award
Kasia Majewski, Satterley
Winner Women in Leadership Award
Tamara Vreeken, Niche Planning Studio
Diversity in Development
Zenith Energy
Local Government of the Year
City of Karratha for Project Dorothy
Team of the Year
Cedar Woods WA