Overcoming complex construction challenges with ingenuity, innovation and exceptional craftsmanship was a hallmark of the projects recognised at the 2026 Central Queensland Housing & Construction Awards.
The red carpet rolled out for the industry’s most anticipated event of the year at The Frenchville Sports Club on Friday 14 August – and there was no better place for Ashley Cooper Construction to celebrate scooping the pool with six Awards. The team took home prestigious McInnes Wilson Lawyers Project of the Year Award, plus Retail Facilities over $5 million and Tourism & Leisure Facilities over $10 million and Commercial Fitout over $10 million for the Frenchville Sports Club - Redevelopment. Executed within a fully operational and sporting precinct, the epic four-stage project delivered an enduring facility for the local community. The team also won best Commercial Fitout up to $5 million and Retail Facilities up to $5 million for The Queens Hotel - Sports Bar Redevelopment.
Tropical Blue Homes was crowned the winner of the House of the Year Award, and best Individual Home from $3 million up to $4 million for Auckland Project, a sophisticated custom home expertly crafted on a constrained and technically demanding site coastal site.
Paynters celebrated winning four gongs, including the sought-after BUSSQ Building Super President’s Award and Education Facilities over $15 million for Gladstone SHS - New ITD Building – an exciting state-of-the-art facility combining hands-on and classroom learning for the future construction workforce. Paynters also won the Award for Education Facilities from $7 million up to $15 million for The Cathedral College - Performing Arts Centre, and best Community Accommodation for Mercy Haven Residential Aged Care Facility.
After a decade with Corbett Homes, Belinda Coetzee was honoured with the Women in Building Award, applauded as a quiet yet deeply impactful role model who leads with consistency and integrity, fostering a respectful and empowering environment, particularly for other women. The Corbett Homes team also celebrated winning best Individual Home up to $450,000 for Oakspire, and Individual Home from $900,000 up to $1.25 million for Liora.
Ten years on from establishing Refined Space Constructions, Joel Minor won the Rising Star Award, in recognition of his professionalism, excellence in workmanship, and sharing his extensive knowledge with others. This was further reflected in Joel and team winning three other Awards for their work: best Home Renovation Project up to $350,000 for Project Glenco, Home Renovation Project from $650,000 up to $800,000 for Project Rockonia, and Medium Density up to 3 storeys – 2 to 5 dwellings for Project Campbell.
Rounding out the Individual category was emerging industry professional Kayne Bartlett, who took home the Apprentice of the Year Award owing to his reputation for being motivated, reliable and diligent, making him a key member of the Darrin Price Constructions team.
Brighter Building QLD pulled off the extremely rare feat of a clean sweep of the Specialty category, winning Best Residential Bathroom, Best Residential Kitchen, and Best Residential Swimming Pool for the breathtaking Hidden Valley country estate, Eumeralla. Boasting bespoke, handcrafted Hamptons-inspired features and a ten-metre-long resort style pool, the project also won best Individual Home from $1.5 million up to $2 million.
“Our builders raised the bar again this year when it came to the quality of craftsmanship, complex construction, and delivering some really exceptional homes and projects,” Master Builders Regional Manager – Central Queensland, Dean Phillips said.
“I’ve seen for myself the hard work that goes on behind the scenes, especially as we’ve navigated challenges including extreme weather, materials and fuel cost hikes, and workforce shortages over the last 12 months.
“The Awards give us the chance to celebrate all that effort, and I congratulate all our entrants and winners. I can’t wait to see what you come up with next year – 2026 will be tough to beat.”
Major winners
Winner of the 2026 Central Queensland House of the Year Award – Tropical Blue Homes for Auckland House. This sophisticated project exemplifies excellence in structural ingenuity and construction delivery, all within a constrained and technically demanding site maximising its panoramic location. Our judges praised Tropical Blue Homes’ mastering of the steep sloping site, delivering high-end finishes and quality craftsmanship. The use of reinforced concrete provides structural integrity, while the double-height entry void, bespoke timber staircase, and stunning stone and custom kitchen island and joinery add to the sense of grandeur in this timeless, functional, and enduring home.
Winner of the 2026 Central Queensland BUSSQ Building Super President’s Award – Paynters for Gladstone SHS - New ITD Building. This state-of-the-art facility combines modern design and infrastructure with innovation to deliver a contemporary, industry-aligned learning environment. The Paynters team excelled in tackling a complex demolition, including asbestos removal, within a live school environment. The expert construction of modern practical workshops with adjacent theory rooms provides seamless connection between hands-on and classroom learning for Central Queensland’s future construction workforce. Through proactive programming, strong stakeholder engagement and risk management, plus careful cost planning, the project was completed on time and budget.
Winner of the 2026 Central Queensland McInnes Wilson Lawyers Project of the Year Award – Ashley Cooper Construction for Frenchville Sports Club - Redevelopment. Tasked with the redevelopment of this cornerstone regional community facility, Ashley Cooper Construction excelled. Delivered across four primary construction stages, plus a Stage 1a package, the project was executed within a fully operational club and sporting precinct using strict public safety protocols. Key challenges included replacing the roof, and demolishing, rebuilding and recommissioning operational zones, alongside simultaneous clubhouse and grandstand works. The result is a modern and beautiful facility suited to cater to regional sporting demand for years to come.
All Central Queensland winners
Major winners
- House of the Year Award – Tropical Blue Homes for Auckland Project (Gladstone)
- McInnes Wilson Lawyers Project of the Year Award – Ashley Cooper Construction for Frenchville Sports Club - Redevelopment (Berserker)
- BUSSQ Building Super President's Award – Paynters for Gladstone SHS - New ITD Building (Gladstone)
Individual winners
- Apprentice of the Year Award – Kayne Bartlett from Darrin Price Constructions
- Women in Building Award – Belinda Coetzee from Corbett Homes
- Rising Star Award – Joel Minor from Refined Space Constructions
Specialty winners
- Best Residential Bathroom – Brighter Building QLD for Eumeralla (Hidden Valley)
- Best Residential Kitchen – Brighter Building QLD for Eumeralla (Hidden Valley)
- Best Residential Swimming Pool – Brighter Building QLD for Eumeralla (Hidden Valley)
Housing winners
- Home Renovation Project up to $350,000 – Refined Space Constructions for Project Glenco (The Range)
- Home Renovation Project from $650,000 up to $800,000 – Refined Space Constructions for Project Rockonia (Rockhampton)
- Individual Home up to $450,000 – Corbett Homes for Oakspire (Emerald)
- Individual Home from $450,000 up to $600,000 – GDH Builders for Jakiah (Parkhurst)
- Individual Home from $600,000 up to $750,000 – Lyke Homes for EUCA (Taroomball)
- Individual Home from $900,000 up to $1.25 million – Corbett Homes for Liora (Emerald)
- Individual Home from $1.25 million up to $1.5 million – Esteemed Living for Gus Moore (Yeppoon)
- Individual Home from $1.5 million up to $2 million – Brighter Building QLD for Eumeralla (Hidden Valley)
- Individual Home from $3 million up to $4 million – Tropical Blue Homes for Auckland Project (Gladstone)
- Best Use of Sloping Sites – DR Moore Constructions for 'Abuela' (Yeppoon)
- Excellence in Construction Quality – Lyke Homes for BAE BEACH HOUSE (Lammermoor)
- Medium Density up to 3 storeys – 2 to 5 dwellings – Refined Space Constructions for Project Campbell (Rockhampton)
- Medium Density up to 3 storeys – over 5 dwellings – Taylor Builders for GEH Housing Barcaldine (Barcaldine)
Construction winners
- Education Facilities up to $7 million – Brooks Builders for Children's First Early Learning Centre (Berserker)
- Education Facilities from $7 million up to $15 million – Paynters for The Cathedral College - Performing Arts Centre (Rockhampton)
- Education Facilities over $15 million – Paynters for Gladstone SHS - New ITD Building (Gladstone)
- Retail Facilities up to $5 million – Ashley Cooper Construction for The Queens Hotel - Sports Bar Redevelopment (Gladstone)
- Retail Facilities over $5 million – Ashley Cooper Construction for Frenchville Sports Club - Redevelopment (Berserker)
- Tourism and Leisure Facilities up to $10 million – Diversified Building Services (Qld) for The Rockhampton Botanic Gardens and Zoo Amenities Facility (The Range)
- Tourism and Leisure Facilities over $10 million – Ashley Cooper Construction for Frenchville Sports Club - Redevelopment (Berserker)
- Community Accommodation – Paynters for Mercy Haven Residential Aged Care Facility (The Range)
- Commercial / Industrial Building from $10 million up to $25 million – GFG Projects for RDO Equipment Emerald (Emerald)
- Commercial Refurbishment/Renovation up to $3 million – DR Moore Constructions for Lexus of Rockhampton (Rockhampton)
- Commercial Fitout up to $5 million – Ashley Cooper Construction for The Queens Hotel - Sports Bar Redevelopment (Gladstone)
- Commercial Fitout over $10 million – Ashley Cooper Construction for Frenchville Sports Club - Redevelopment (Berserker)
- Commercial Trade Contractor of the Year – Touchstone Tiling Services (NQ) for CBRE Confidential Project Rockhampton (Park Avenue)