A striking three-level accessible home has stolen the spotlight at the 2026 North Queensland Housing & Construction Awards.
The event at The Ville Resort-Casino on Friday 7 August celebrated the top homes and commercial projects of the year, as well as the individuals carving a successful path in the industry.
Simon Bell Constructions nabbed four Awards including the prestigious wilson/ryan/grose Lawyers House of the Year Award, plus Best Residential Swimming Pool, Best Residential Bathroom, and Individual Home from $3 million up to $4 million for Townsville City beauty, Casa La Mere. Simon and team mastered the complex waterside build, where accessibility was a key driver in the design, ensuring the luxurious family home is both functional and future-proof.
The coveted QSG Project of the Year Award and Health Facilities up to $20 million went to Paynters for the vital community project, Mater Private Hospital Townsville – New Maternity Ward. Paynters also racked up four wins, taking home Commercial Refurbishment/Renovation from $3 million up to $10 million for Mater Private Hospital Townsville – Renal Dialysis Unit & Emergency Department, and Education Facilities up to $7 million for Ayr State High School – New Multipurpose Hall.
SHAPE Australia (Qld) bagged a double for delivering the crucial Undisclosed Federal Government Agency Fitout Townsville project, including the BUSSQ Building Super President’s Award, and best Commercial Fitout from $5 million up to $10 million.
It was a hat-trick for Ellis Developments. Industry advocate and highly respected leader Sarah Wheatley took home the Women in Building Award, and joined her team in celebrating wins for best Display Home up to $500,000 for The Evelyn, and Display Home from $500,000 up to $750,000 for The Paradiso.
TG Building Group founder Thomas Gianoulis was honoured for his stellar craftsmanship and creating pathways for young tradies with the Rising Star Award – he and his team also winning best Home Renovation Project from $350,000 up to $500,000 for their work on Hilltop Haven.
The Apprentice of the Year Award went to Jonah Trevor from DC Constructions NQ, hailed for leading by example, his work ethic and commitment. The DC Constructions team were all winners on the night, winning best Prefabricated and Modular Housing Project for Breezeway Magnetic Island.
“Over the last 12 months, our industry has navigated an increasingly complex operating environment. This year’s entries and winners speak to the resilience and ingenuity of our members and the teamwork and skill which support the delivery of top-quality projects,” Master Builders Regional Manager – North Queensland, Carla Keith said.
“Each year our members continue to raise the standard, and I am honoured to celebrate their hard work and success. Each of them should be incredibly proud.”
Major winners
Winner of the 2026 North Queensland wilson/ryan/grose Lawyers House of the Year Award – Simon Bell Constructions for Casa La Mere. Casa La Mere brings together beauty, functionality and inclusivity. Faced with the complexities of a high-end waterfront build, Simon Bell Constructions met each challenge with thoughtful, considered solutions. A testament to exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail, our judges praised the functionality, excellent use of the narrow block, and the stunning rooftop aspect. Accessibility considerations underpin all aspects, with a lift and wheelchair-friendly planning ensuring the family can enjoy every inch of this refined and visually distinctive coastal masterpiece, together.
Winner of the 2026 North Queensland BUSSQ Building Super President’s Award – SHAPE Australia (Qld) for Undisclosed Federal Government Agency Fitout Townsville. This project plays a crucial role in supporting the delivery of essential government services for Townsville and surrounding regional and remote communities. Tasked with complex delivery in a live operational environment, SHAPE Constructions excelled. In addition to workspaces, comms and breakout rooms, the team executed integrated specialist acoustic and security requirements, while maintaining a welcoming environment. Through disciplined sequencing, clear communication and strong collaboration with local delivery partners, SHAPE has delivered a high-quality workplace supporting operational continuity and regional growth.
Winner of the 2026 North Queensland QSG Project of the Year Award – Paynters for Mater Private Hospital Townsville – New Maternity Ward. Creating a beautiful, safe and contemporary space for new mums and babies was central to this challenging project, critical for the Townsville community. Paynters successfully navigated inclement weather, procurement delays, supply constraints, and workforce shortages, employing careful staging and strict healthcare standards compliance to deliver on time and budget in a live hospital environment. Our judges praised the level of attention to detail and quality of construction, delivering a welcoming and functional maternity ward for patients, families and healthcare professionals.
All North Queensland winners
Major winners
- wilson/ryan/grose Lawyers House of the Year Award – Simon Bell Constructions for Casa La Mere (Townsville City)
- QSG Project of the Year Award – Paynters for Mater Private Hospital Townsville – New Maternity Ward (Pimlico)
- BUSSQ Building Super President's Award – SHAPE Australia (Qld) for Undisclosed Federal Government Agency Fitout Townsville (Townsville)
Individual winners
- Apprentice of the Year Award – Jonah Trevor from DC Constructions (NQ)
- Women in Building Award – Sarah Wheatley from Ellis Developments QLD
- Rising Star Award – Thomas Gianoulis from TG Building Group
Specialty winners
- Best Residential Bathroom – Simon Bell Constructions for Casa La Mere (Townsville City)
- Best Residential Kitchen – Lifestyle Constructions NQ for Mitchell (North Ward)
- Best Residential Swimming Pool – Simon Bell Constructions for Casa La Mere (Townsville City)
Housing winners
- Display Home up to $500,000 – Ellis Developments for The Evelyn (Rasmussen)
- Display Home from $500,000 up to $750,000 – Ellis Developments for The Paradiso (Rasmussen)
- Home Renovation Project up to $350,000 – Lifestyle Constructions NQ for Dalgety (Townsville)
- Home Renovation Project from $350,000 up to $500,000 – TG Building Group for Hilltop Haven (North Ward)
- Home Renovation Project from $500,000 up to $650,000 – Townsend Constructions NQ for The Classic Beauty (Pimlico)
- Home Renovation Project from $650,000 up to $800,000 – Lewis Constructions NQ for ROSE (North Ward)
- Trevor Mustey Memorial Award for Home Renovation Project from $800,000 up to $1 million – Lewis Constructions NQ for Paxton (North Ward)
- Home Renovation Project from $1 million up to $2 million – Lewis Constructions NQ for Denham (North Ward)
- Individual Home up to $450,000 – Dreams Are Built Building Services for Salt Ayres (Horseshoe Bay)
- Individual Home from $450,000 up to $600,000 – T & S Developments for Isabella 236 (Shaw)
- Individual Home from $600,000 up to $750,000 – Simon Bell Constructions for Sunnymount House (Bohle Plains)
- Individual Home from $750,000 up to $900,000 – T-Rob Constructions for Gowrie House (Mundingburra)
- Individual Home from $900,000 up to $1.25 million – Reef Coast Constructions for Galbidera Views (Aitkenvale)
- Individual Home from $1.5 million up to $2 million – Reef Coast Constructions for The Homestead (Mount Low)
- Individual Home from $2 million up to $2.5 million – Opulence Builders Group for Villa Opulencia (Jensen)
- Individual Home from $3 million up to $4 million – Simon Bell Constructions for Casa La Mere (Townsville City)
- Prefabricated and Modular Housing Project – DC Constructions (NQ) for Breezeway Magnetic Island (Horseshoe Bay)
- Best Use of Sloping Sites – Lewis Constructions NQ for Denham (North Ward)
- Medium Density up to 3 storeys – 2 to 5 dwellings – Corinthian Constructions for Lily Anne (Aitkenvale)
Construction winners
- Health Facilities up to $20 million – Paynters for Mater Private Hospital Townsville – New Maternity Ward (Pimlico)
- Education Facilities up to $7 million – Gabcon for Calvary Christian College – Prep Building (Mt Louisa)
- Education Facilities from $7 million up to $15 million – Paynters for Ayr State High School – New Multipurpose Hall (Ayr)
- Community Accommodation – T.F Woollam & Son for Good Shepherd Home Grevillea Alterations & Additions (Annadale)
- Sporting Facilities – A Gabrielli Constructions for Townsville Stables (Wulguru)
- Commercial / Industrial Building up to $3 million – Franzmann Constructions for TDHNQ HQ (Kirwan)
- Commercial / Industrial Building from $3 million up to $10 million – Caughley & Co (Qld) for The Fairfield Hotel (Oonoonba)
- Commercial / Industrial Building from $25 million up to $50 million – Hutchinson Builders for Townsville Northshore Retail Precinct (Burdell)
- Commercial Refurbishment/Renovation from $3 million up to $10 million – Paynters for Mater Private Hospital Townsville – Renal Dialysis Unit & Emergency Department (Pimlico)
- Commercial Trade Contractor of the Year – Go To Painting for Hinchinbrook Shire Council - Dual Commercial Roof Painting (Ingham)