The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) Queensland Awards

The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) Queensland Awards have been announced at a gala event held at inner-city Brisbane’s Blackbird on Thursday 12 June. From a field of over 50 entries, the jury honoured outstanding designs across a broad range of categories spanning civic, infrastructure, health and education landscapes — through to gardens and play spaces.

AILA Queensland Jury Chair David Hatherly praised the calibre of the entrants’ work and the growing impact of the landscape architecture profession: “This year’s entries reflect a discipline leading with clarity, creativity and passion. We saw a strong commitment to designing with climate, Country and community — advancing not only the quality of our public spaces, but also their meaning, equity and resilience.” He added that landscape architects are increasingly at the forefront of shaping Queensland’s future. “Landscape architecture is playing a critical role in connecting policy, infrastructure and biodiversity with how people connect with and experience their everyday environments. The profession’s leadership is helping guide our cities, towns and regions towards more inclusive, sustainable futures.”

Trio of awards for Archerfield

The Archerfield Wetlands Land Management project is an initiative of Brisbane Sustainability Agency’s (BSA) Oxley Creek Transformation project. This design is transforming a 150-hectare degraded green space (and one of Brisbane’s largest floodplain ecosystems) into a recreational and environmental asset for Brisbane.

The Archerfield Wetlands Land Management project (BSA) received an Award of Excellence for land management. Meanwhile, the Archerfield Wetlands District Park (designed by Urbis for BSA) took out the Award of Excellence for parks and open space, along with a Landscape Architecture Award for play spaces. The jury described the project as a “bold and visionary park for future generations”. The design was also applauded for “seamlessly integrating nature-based play, ecological restoration and deep Traditional Owner engagement.”

Award-winning new-look South Bank  

Urbis and South Bank Corporation’s Future South Bank Master Plan was awarded the state’s best Urban Design. Applauded for exemplifying excellence in urban design, the jury went on to describe the project as “redefining the precinct’s role” in Brisbane. “More than a vision, it is a robust urban framework that repositions South Bank as a connected and resilient civic parkland precinct.” The project also received a Landscape Architecture Award for parks and open space. Meanwhile, the South Bank Biodiversity Strategy, designed by McGregor Coxall, BAAM & South Bank Corporation, received a Landscape Architecture Award.

UQ takes out top education landscape

The University of Queensland Ampitheatre, by Hassell, received an Award of Excellence in the health and education landscape category. The jury described the design as a “versatile and welcoming outdoor space”. Their praise continued:  “This elegant and thoughtful intervention responds to shifting post-pandemic behaviours — reinviting students outdoors and reinvigorating campus life through a landscape that is culturally aware, ecologically attuned, and beautifully resolved.”

Sunshine Coast home to best garden

Wallumburn at Lake Cooroibah, designed by Coco-Dash Landscape Architecture, was the only garden to be awarded a Landscape Architecture Award. This garden cleverly blurs the boundaries between bush and native garden. The jury summarised the approach: “Responding to climate, landscape and seasonal cycles, the garden fosters biodiversity, food production, and resilience. It offers a compelling model for sustainable rural living — merging beauty, functionality and environmental stewardship in a way that is both grounded and inspiring.”

Conservatorium courtyard wins best small project

 The TCL Taylor Cullity Lethlean design for the Red Note Courtyard Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University was the only small project awarded a Landscape Architecture Award. The jury applauded the design for transforming a compact site into a “flexible, culturally charged stage for music, gathering and performance”.

Bundaberg and Logan projects receive Regional Achievement Awards

The Washpool Creek Catchment Master Plan, by Tract for Bundaberg Regional Council, took home four AILA QLD awards, including an Award of Excellence for landscape planning and a Regional Achievement award. The project sets a clear vision for transforming the catchment over the next 30 years — championing exemplary landscape and urban design outcomes, underpinned by technical stormwater engineering.

Another recipient of a regional achievement award was the Logan Gold Coast Faster Rail Landscape Integration Strategy, by Archipelago. The project involves upgrading a 20km corridor and nine rail stations within diverse urban, suburban and environmental settings from Kuraby to Beenleigh. The Regional Achievement award rounded out a total of four wins for the project.

AILA QLD 2025 Awards

All winners of an AILA Queensland Award of Excellence, Landscape Architecture Award or Regional Architecture Award will now proceed to the National Landscape Architecture Awards, to be announced in October in Hobart/Nipaluna.

AILA is the peak body for landscape architecture in Australia, championing quality design for public open spaces, stronger communities, and greater environmental stewardship.

aila.org.au