Brightwater community named Queensland's best at prestigious industry awards ceremony

Stockland’s popular Brightwater community at Mountain Creek on the Sunshine Coast has been named Queensland’s best masterplanned community in the 2016 UDIA (Qld) Awards for Excellence.

The 1500-lot community has set new standards for convenient, connected and sustainable living on the coast since its launch in 2008 and through every stage of development to its practical completion in 2016.

Ben Simpson, Regional Manager for the Sunshine Coast at Stockland, said it was a crowning glory for Brightwater to receive the Best Masterplanned Development Award in recognition of the community’s longstanding track record.

“For most of its life, Brightwater has been the largest and most successful masterplanned community on the coast, providing a wide range of new homes for families wanting to experience its sense of true Sunshine Coast living,” Mr Simpson said.

“I would like to offer my special thanks and congratulations to all of our customers who have bought into the Brightwater dream, built their homes here, are raising their families here and made this community their own,” Mr Simpson said. “I also would like to thank the UDIA and this year’s industry judges for acknowledging this landmark community and the unique qualities that make it such a special place to live."

Mr Simpson said innovation had been a hallmark of Brightwater since well before the first home was built and the community’s first residents moved in.

He said a massive relocation of high value heathland from the site to a new reserve at the University of the Sunshine Coast had been one of the largest environmental initiatives of its type ever undertaken in the southern hemisphere.

“We followed this up with the on-site the preservation of more than 48 hectares of bushland and pockets of threatened species rehabilitation.

“The construction of Brightwater’s signature 12-hectare lake was another substantial feat of planning, design and engineering – creating both a recreational centrepiece for the community and has now been integrated as a key component in its stormwater management system.

“Brightwater Lake not only provides residents with a beautiful environment in which to live; it also provides very welcome cooling breezes across the lake’s surface. Other notable highlights include the creation of our first award-winning lakefront park, our adoption of innovative small lot housing options and the establishment of a unique landscape reference group that gives residents a say in how council maintains the parks and other open spaces within the community.”

Mr Simpson said 2016 was another significant year in the history of Brightwater, which included the sale of a selection of premium waterfront lots offering direct ocean access and stunning views, and the launch of a series of designer lakefront townhomes dubbed the Mainwaring Collection.

Other recent additions to Brightwater have included a boat ramp to the community’s centrepiece lake to provide easy access for non-motorised water sport enthusiasts, new parks and a half-court basketball court.

Residents also have access to one of the widest range of services at any Sunshine Coast community, including the Brightwater Market Place shopping and dining precinct, Brightwater Medical Centre, Brightwater Hotel and The Lakehouse function centre, Brightwater State School and Bella Grace Early Learning Centre.

Healthy outdoor living is in abundance at Brightwater with district, lakefront and pocket parks, adventure playgrounds, a regional sports field, free exercise equipment, dog off-leash park, more than 5 kilometres of walking and bike paths and a weekly parkrun event.

The close-knit community also has its own dedicated residents’ association, Neighbourhood Watch group and active Facebook page.

Brightwater State School is one of only seven Public Private Partnership schools in Queensland and is a major drawcard to the community. A unique “Walking School Bus” program provides a safe and healthy alternative for students.

Mr Simpson said Brightwater had redefined the concept of masterplanned living on the Sunshine Coast, creating a largely self-contained community where everything families needed was just a stroll or short drive away.

“The other thing people love most about Brightwater is how close it is everything else that makes coastal living great, such as our world class beaches and fabulous dining and café spots like Mooloolaba,” he said.

“Our residents can drive to Mooloolaba and Kawana beaches in just seven minutes or ride their bike there in only 15 minutes along dedicated cycle paths.

“Alternatively, they also have the convenience of a local Translink bus service to the surrounding region which runs through Brightwater up to every 30 minutes.”

Another hallmark of Brightwater is its strong sense of community spirit, forged from many years of local events, casual get-togethers and impromptu meetings in the many local parks and playgrounds.

The well-established Brightwater Community Association has its own website, business directory and regular newsletter to keep all residents informed of the latest news and information.

A Mums’ Group meets each week to support new parents, and share tips and advice.

Mr Simpson said Brightwater was famous for hosting some of the coast’s most successful celebrations to mark major milestones in the community’s progress.

“Who could forget our challenging Billycart Cup showdowns on a newly built road in the community, or the night Darren Percival entertained us under the stars?” he said. “The official opening of the lake was another great day out with a giant yellow duck spotted on the water and stand up paddle boarding gaining new fans.”