Four Bayside properties have been announced as winners of last night's 2009 Bayside Built Environment Awards for their ability to complement Bayside’s urban and natural environment.

The winners of the 2009 Built Environment Awards hosted by Bayside City Council included:

• Maddison Architects for best new dwelling for 14 Coronet Grove, Beaumaris
• CBG Architects for best medium density housing development for 27 St Ninians Road, Brighton
• Austin Design Associates for best extension to an existing building at 5 Bellaire Court, Beaumaris
• Cocks & Carmichael Architects for 319-323 St Kilda Street, Brighton for most creative building design.

A panel of design professionals, Councillors and senior staff were tasked with identifying winners and finalists from nominations invited from the community.

Bayside City Council Group Manager Sustainability Michael Top chaired the panel and presented the awards to winners on Wednesday 21 October at the Brighton Town Hall.

Mr Top said Council recognised designers and architects whose designs could show they were sensitive to Bayside’s neighbourhood character, streetscape quality, local identity, heritage values, public places and the natural environment.

“The Built Environment Awards are held each year to raise community awareness and understanding of urban design, landscape and heritage,” Mr Top said.

“Council hosts this event to recognise and promote the excellent work of designers in Bayside. The award ceremony was a great success, with a number of local designers recognised for their efforts.

“In its fourth year, Council received more than 40 entries across the seven categories for the Awards. With a large field of exceptional nominations, the judging panel had their work cut out in selecting the winners.

“It’s also important to thank members of the community who nominated their favourite properties for this year’s Awards. Without their contributions, the Awards could not have taken place.

“Bayside features some of Australia’s most innovative building designs, which accommodate a large range of uses,” Mr Top said.

Winners in each category received a certificate recognising their achievements.

Their designs will be exhibited at Bayside City Council’s Corporate Centres and from the Built Environment section of the website from 30 October 2009.