Redefining excellence and overcoming challenges to deliver beyond expectation were hallmarks of the winners recognised at the 2026 Master Builders Wide Bay Burnett Housing & Construction Awards.
CRJ Designer Homes emerged as the biggest winners at the ceremony held at Bundaberg Multiplex Sports and Convention Centre on Saturday 22 August, with Verona House securing four trophies including the prized House of the Year Award. The CRJ team displayed meticulous attention to detail in crafting every fixture and fitting in this luxurious, double-block home, overcoming limited site access and challenging weather conditions in the process. Their quality construction also saw them applauded with a double win in the Specialty category, awarded Best Residential Bathroomand Best Residential Kitchen, as well as best Individual Home from $2 million up to $2.5 million.
Mastering multiple work fronts on the Thyme Lakeview Springs Lakehouse saw RAW Developments & Construction celebrate winning the Project of the Year Award, and best Tourism and Leisure Facilities over $10 million. The project encompassed a complex scope of works, with the team seamlessly delivering indoor and outdoor pools, sauna and gymnasium, luxury cinema theatre, indoor and alfresco dining, commercial kitchen, and a wine bar to create the ultimate in over 50s resort-style living.
A high level of detail, quality workmanship and durability suited to a coastal location saw Stella Building Constructions nab the BUSSQ Building Super President’s Award for Elora. The team flawlessly delivered custom joinery throughout, soaring raked ceilings and energy-efficient elements, resulting in a beautiful and resilient family home. Luxe Tiling were also named Residential Trade Contractor of the Yearfor their stunning craftsmanship on the Elora Tiling, incorporating handcrafted Moroccan and Mediterranean-style materials throughout, and beautiful limestone coping tile surrounding the pool.
Rounding out the Specialty category this year was Naturcom Pools with Best Residential Swimming Poolfor the stunning curves and contrast tiles of their Blue Lagoon project at Hervey Bay; while IDC Construct’s SafeSite System – an integrated safety framework combining engineering controls, site technology, practical leadership and formal governance into one operating system – earned them the Excellence in Workplace Health & SafetyAward.
Emma Pressler-McHugh’s inspiring story is one of perseverance and sustained contribution to the industry. Her leadership at McHugh Steel and renown as a role model who empowers and mentors other women earned her the prestigious Women in Building Award. Emma also joined the McHugh Steel team in celebrating their win for Commercial Trade Contractor of the Yearfor their outstanding work on the Greens RV project.
When Bailey Williams was presented with his Cert III in Waterproofing, he declared he thought he’d never see a certificate with his name on it. His commitment to excellence in his trade and professionalism at Ocean & Earth Tiling today has seen him honoured with the Apprentice of the Year Award, with a bright future ahead. Rounding out the Individual awards category was 25-year industry professional and Aspiring Homes founder Mark Palmer, who won the Rising Star Awardin recognition of his passion for quality and safety, and a level of finish that sets his work apart.
“One of the best things about these Awards is seeing the variety of achievements being recognised,” Master Builders Regional Manager – Wide Bay Burnett, Ian Langer, said.
“From homes and commercial projects to individual Award winners, each category highlights the skill, effort and commitment that goes into delivering great outcomes for clients and communities.
“We know there are challenges ahead, which is why we'll continue advocating for measures that support workforce growth and productivity. In the meantime, it's important to take a moment to celebrate the people and projects setting the benchmark across our region. Congratulations to all entrants and winners.”
Major winners
Winner of the 2026 Wide Bay Burnett House of the Year Award – CRJ Designer Homes for Verona House.Verona House is a statement in refined luxury, maximising presence and functionality. Our judges applauded CRJ Designer Homes for a very high degree of workmanship and attention to detail in every aspect of construction and finishing. The team overcame limited site access, covenant restrictions, and challenging weather conditions. Careful staging of trades for the extensive tiling, multi-stage cabinetry installation and stone demonstrated strong project management and buildability, delivering a residence our panel hailed as in a class of its own.
Winner of the 2026 Wide Bay Burnett BUSSQ Building Super President’s Award – Stella Building Constructions for Elora. Constructed with a strong focus on quality workmanship, compliance, and durability, Elora is a credit to the Stella Building Constructions team. Our judges praised the high level of detail in this stunning coastal home, which required skillful coordination, particularly in managing the complex roof structure, raked ceilings, and seamless integration of indoor-outdoor spaces. Tailored to its natural environment, and incorporating an innovative mix of materials, this sleek and elegant residence only hints at the level of complexity at its surface.
Winner of the 2026 Wide Bay Burnett Project of the Year Award – RAW Developments & Construction for Thyme Lakeview Springs Lakehouse. The social heart of Thyme Lifestyle Resort, The Lakehouse is a benchmark community facility redefining resort-style, over-50s living. RAW Developments & Construction used innovative procurement and programming strategies to deliver this complex project, operating multiple concurrent work fronts including the civil and lake works, external recreation facilities, and the main building. Precise coordination of specialist contractors and advanced digital systems also ensured quality and safety. The result is a premium social, wellness and recreational space fostering a vibrant, connected community.
All Wide Bay Burnett winners
Major winners
- House of the Year Award – CRJ Designer Homes for Verona House (Suburb undisclosed for privacy)
- Project of the Year Award – RAW Developments & Construction for Thyme Lakeview Springs Lakehouse (Nikenbah)
- President's Award – Stella Building Constructions for Elora (Elliot Heads)
Individual winners
- Apprentice of the Year Award – Bailey Williams from Ocean & Earth Tiling
- Women in Building Award – Emma Pressler-McHugh from McHugh Steel
- Rising Star Award – Mark Palmer from Aspiring Homes
Specialty winners
- Best Residential Bathroom – CRJ Designer Homes for Verona House
- Best Residential Kitchen – CRJ Designer Homes for Verona House
- Best Residential Swimming Pool – Naturcom Pools for Blue Lagoon (Hervey Bay)
- Excellence in Workplace Health & Safety – IDC Construct for SafeSite System (Bundaberg)
Housing winners
- Display Home from $500,000 up to $750,000 – Stroud Homes Wide Bay for Stanford Coral Cove (Coral Cove)
- Display Home from $750,000 up to $1 million – Vivid Home Builders for Regency 321 (Nikenbah)
- Home Renovation Project up to $350,000 – SANCON Construction Corp for The Pavilion On Pharlap (Branyan)
- Home Renovation Project from $500,000 up to $650,000 – Ellis Homes & Construction for Hidden Haven (Bargara)
- Individual Home up to $450,000 – Cardell Constructions for Goodwood (Wondunna)
- Individual Home from $450,000 up to $600,000 – Masterbuilt Homes for Oregano (Bargara)
- Individual Home from $600,000 up to $750,000 – Jade Pearson Builder for Viewpoint (Innes Park)
- Individual Home from $750,000 up to $900,000 – Vivere Homes for Casa Solea - House of Light (Toogoom)
- Individual Home from $900,000 up to $1.25 million – Dobson Homes and Constructions for En-Deering Escape (Innes Park)
- Individual Home from $1.25 million up to $1.5 million – Masterbuilt Homes for Pacific Perspective (Bargara)
- Individual Home from $2 million up to $2.5 million – CRJ Designer Homes for Verona House
- Individual Home from $3 million up to $4 million – Mike Murry Homes for Jabula (Agnes Water)
- Best Use of Sloping Sites – Bungalow for Riverview Retreat (Maryborough)
- Best Use of Steel Frame Housing – Mike Murry Homes for Jabula (Agnes Water)
- Medium Density up to 3 storeys – over 5 dwellings – IDC Construct for SSS Community (Kalkie)
- Residential Trade Contractor of the Year – Luxe Tiling for Elora Tiling (Elliot Heads)
Construction winners
- Education Facilities from $7 million up to $15 million – Murchie Constructions for Shalom College Coolock GLA's (Norville)
- Sporting Facilities – T.F Woollam & Son for Bundaberg Aquatic Centre (Bundaberg)
- Community Accommodation – Alliance Building & Construction for SDA Housing | Torquay (Torquay)
- Social Housing Project – Bryant Building Contractors for McIlwraith Social Housing (Bundaberg)
- Tourism and Leisure Facilities up to $10 million – Taylor Builders for Hervey Bay Aquatic Centre Redevelopment Phase 1B (Torquay)
- Tourism and Leisure Facilities over $10 million – RAW Developments & Construction for Thyme Lakeview Springs Lakehouse (Nikenbah)
- Commercial / Industrial Building from $3 million up to $10 million – WK Projects for Total Tools Bundaberg (Kensington)
- Commercial Refurbishment/Renovation up to $3 million – JRZ Homes for Club Drift (Bargara)
- Commercial Fitout up to $5 million – Adina Designed Interiors for Coolock Building Fitout - Shalom College (Norville)
- Retail Facilities up to $5 million – IDC Construct for Bundaberg Harley Davidson and Yamaha (Kensington)
- Retail Facilities over $5 million – WK Projects for Coles Kensington Shopping Centre Expansion (Bundaberg)
- Commercial Trade Contractor of the Year – McHugh Steel for Greens RV (Kensington)