The winners of the 2013 Property Council of Australia/Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards were announced at a gala dinner in Sydney on Saturday May 18.

The night celebrated innovation leading practice within Australia’s property development and investment industries.

“This year’s awards showcase the depth and breadth of outstanding projects from around Australia. From 107 finalists across 16 categories nationwide, the winning projects reinforce our industry’s ongoing and outstanding commitment to leading-edge practice,” said chief executive of the Property Council of Australia, Peter Verwer.

Among the winners include Westfield’s $1.2 billion redevelopment which received two honours –
the Woodhead Award for Best Mixed Use Development, while its flagship retail centre received the Redpath Partners Award for Best Shopping Centre Development.

The Westfield Sydney redevelopment included the refurbishment of 100 Market Street, a new elliptical tower at 85 Castlereagh Street, Westfield Sydney Retail and 77 Castlereagh Street.

“Westfield Sydney has reinvigorated the heart of the Sydney CBD, attracted new international brands to Australia and set new benchmarks for sustainability. Westfield is a worthy recipient of these two prestigious awards,” Verwer said.

“Westfield has demonstrated how combining social and environmental initiatives can create a vibrant and valuable retail asset.”

Westfield’s former National Operations Manager, Ross Copland, was presented with the Judd Farris Award for Future Leader of the Year. Ross was recognised for successfully delivering a portfolio-wide sustainability project which has made significant cuts to Westfield Australia's resource consumption.

Another notable win was by Lend Lease for its $500 million Darling Quarter and Commonwealth Bank Place development in Sydney, which received four awards including the property industry’s coveted ‘Gold Logie’ – the Australian Development of the Year. The project also received the Colliers International Award for Best Office Development, the WSP Award for Best Sustainable Development – New Building, and the Project Control Group Award for Best Workplace Project.