Foundations Of Excellence

Visionary design and construction excellence were in the spotlight at the 2025 Mackay & Whitsunday Housing & Construction Awards, held at the Mantra Mackay on 9 August.

After dominating last year, Fergus Builders once again set the pace, walking away with seven awards — the highest number for any builder across Queensland so far in 2025. Their work spanned both commercial and residential categories. Standouts included best Education Facilities over $10 million for the new Holy Spirit College INTAD Building, Community Service Facilities for the Airlie Beach Fire Station, and Retail Facilities over $5 million for ALDI Andergrove. The team also delivered in residential, claiming best Display Home from $600,000 up to $800,000 for the Mayfair, and Individual Home from $400,000 up to $550,000 for the inviting family home Aria. Fergus also took home wins for Community Accommodation with the Shute Harbour Units, and Commercial Fitout up to $5 million for the GHD Mackay office.

CiteCon also made its mark, securing three major awards. Paige Gardner was recognised with the Women in Building Award for her dedication to mentoring and commitment to a more diverse and inclusive industry. The company’s technical strength shone through in two commercial categories: best Commercial Refurbishment/Renovation up to $5 million for the Penske Australia fitout in Paget, and best Commercial/Industrial Building from $5 million up to $15 million for the MI Scaffold Industrial Warehouse.

Meanwhile, Cotter Builders impressed in residential design, taking home multiple honours for their craftsmanship and eye for detail. The team won Best Residential Kitchen for the stylish Villa Athena at Racecourse, and Best Individual Home from $700,000 up to $850,000 for the same property. They also claimed Home Renovation Project up to $300,000 for their work on Sana House in West Mackay.

Master Builders Regional Manager Brad Dobie said this year’s winners reflected both skill and resilience.

“From beautifully crafted homes and clever renovations to vital infrastructure and community spaces delivered under pressure, our members have shown what’s possible when passion meets professionalism,” he said.

The extensive display of building excellence showcased at the awards has demonstrated the breadth of talent shaping the Mackay and Whitsunday region — from innovative community infrastructure to bespoke homes and industry-leading workplaces — setting a benchmark for construction excellence in 2025.

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