Bunbury’s Koolambidi Woola continues raking in accolades at WA Landscape Architecture awards

The ever-popular Koolambidi Woola has continued to spark praise after raking in more accolades at the 2023 Australian Institute of Landscape Architects WA awards.

The Bunbury-based youth precinct was among several South West projects that were big winners at the award ceremony, which took place on Friday, June 23.

Koolambidi Woola, designed by Playce, this time won an award of excellence in the parks and open space category as well as a regional achievement award, after being named park of the year at the Parks and Leisure Australia 2023 Regional Awards of Excellence.

City of Bunbury mayor Jaysen Miguel said the City was “thrilled and so proud” that Koolambidi Woola continued to be acknowledged and awarded for the “amazing” facility it was.

“It is truly an honour for the City and design consultants Playce, to be recognised for their efforts in creating and maintaining an outstanding facility the whole community can enjoy,” he said.

“These awards reflect the hard work and dedication of those involved in the project but also highlights the exceptional quality of Koolambidi Woola.

“The precinct is now getting recognised on the national stage, too, and it is an incredible opportunity to showcase our commitment to providing exceptional facilities for our community.

“Winning the park of the year award at the Parks and Leisure Australia 2023 Regional Awards of Excellence, followed by Playce taking out the award of excellence for parks and open space at the AILA WA 2023 Landscape Architecture Awards along with the recognition we have received, reaffirms our dedication to providing exceptional parks and recreational spaces for everyone to enjoy.”

The Margaret River Main Street, designed by Hassell, was also a big winner, taking home an award of excellence in the civic landscape category and a regional achievement award.

In addition, the collaboration between Sustainable Settlements, South West Collective and Topio Landscape Architecture saw the Witchcliffe Ecovillage also took home two awards, winning landscape architecture awards in the gardens and the infrastructure categories.

ALIA WA awards jury chair Terry Thompson said the celebrated projects highlighted a respect for cultural heritage and showcased the benefits of engaging landscape architects on various projects big and small.

“This year, several projects displayed very eloquently how differing layers of historical context marry with important environmental matters,” he said.

“This includes a ‘learning through landscape’ approach, where landscape architects have designed places that are fun, entertaining, restful, have environmental and education values and quite simply, help people be engaged and happy.”

All of the WA State award winners will go in the running for the National Landscape Architecture awards, set to take place in October.