The Archerfield Wetlands Land Management project was one of the biggest winners at the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) Queensland Awards, taking home three awards including an Award of Excellence.
The Brisbane event saw the jury honouring outstanding designs across a broad range of categories spanning civic, infrastructure, health and education landscapes through to gardens and play spaces, all selected from a pool of 52 entries.
Observing that landscape architects were increasingly at the forefront of shaping Queensland’s future, AILA Queensland Jury Chair David Hatherly says, “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.”
Archerfield Wetlands Land Management project
An initiative of Brisbane Sustainability Agency’s (BSA) Oxley Creek Transformation, the project transforms a 150-hectare degraded green space (and one of Brisbane’s largest floodplain ecosystems) into a recreational and environmental asset for the city.
The project 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.
Archerfield Wetlands Land Management, Brisbane Sustainability Agency | Photography: Cathy Finch
Future South Bank Master Plan
Urbis and South Bank Corporation’s Future South Bank Master Plan was awarded the state’s best Urban Design. “More than a vision, it is a robust urban framework that repositions South Bank as a connected and resilient civic parkland precinct,” the jury says.
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.
Future South Bank Master Plan, Urbis and South Bank Corporation | Image: Urbis Ltd
The University of Queensland Amphitheatre
The University of Queensland Amphitheatre by Hassell received an Award of Excellence in the health and education landscape category. Describing the design as a “versatile and welcoming outdoor space”, the jury says, “This elegant and thoughtful intervention responds to shifting post-pandemic behaviours – re-inviting students outdoors and reinvigorating campus life through a landscape that is culturally aware, ecologically attuned, and beautifully resolved.”
The University of Queensland Amphitheatre, Hassell | Photography: Scott Burrows
Wallumburn garden
Wallumburn at Lake Cooroibah, designed by Coco-Dash Landscape Architecture, was the only garden to be awarded a Landscape Architecture Award. “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,” the jury says.
Wallumburn at Lake Cooroibah, Coco-Dash Landscape Architecture | Photography: James Peeters
Red Note Courtyard Queensland Conservatorium at Griffith University
The TCL Taylor Cullity Lethlean design for the Red Note Courtyard Queensland Conservatorium at 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”.
Red Note Courtyard Queensland Conservatorium – Griffith University, TCL Taylor Cullity Lethlean | Photography: Christopher Wardle
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.
Another Regional Achievement award-winner 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.
People’s Choice Award
Meanwhile, the Caloundra Community and Creative Hub (Jacobs and Sunshine Coast Council) won the People’s Choice Award at AILA QLD 2025. This new community hub challenges the traditional notion of a civic square, and is inspired by the unique qualities of Caloundra’s landscape and people.
Caloundra Community and Creative Hub | Photography: Jacobs and Iluka
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.
Main image: Archerfield Wetlands Land Management, Brisbane Sustainability Agency