NEWS

One Bright Point Achieves Excellence

Mantra One Bright Point on Magnetic Island has won the top prize at the Australian Institute of Building Awards proving it is the State’s ultimate waterfront address.

Meridien’s $90 million One Bright Point development won the Professional Excellence Award in the category of RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION $50M - $100M.

Australian Institute of Building Vice President Tony Avsec said the award is the only formal recognition given for outstanding construction and project management in Australia.

“This award recognises the skills of all the builders and engineers involved. This is about the workmen who overcame construction challenges to build the final chapter,” Mr Avsec said.
"Many building awards only look at the end project and judge it on the aesthetics rather then the sweat that went into making the dream a reality.

Mr Avsec said judges looked at the difficulty in building the project and were impressed how the builders and engineers came up with innovative solutions in constructing the resort especially given they were building in a former quarry site.

“Bovis Lend Lease and Meridien have done a superb job of turning that first paper sketch into a series of unique buildings right on the doorstep of the Great Barrier Reef,” Mr Avsec said.

Submissions were judged against a range of criteria including degree of project difficulty; management methods and techniques; innovations developed to overcome difficulties; workforce organisation and training; innovative approaches; relationship with client, architect, authorities, community and workforce; and the quality of the completed project.

Engineers had to overcome a number of difficult foundation conditions during the construction of Mantra One Bright Point ranging from solid rock to balancing swimming pools on the island’s naturally formed boulders.

Magnetic Island’s location meant careful consideration was required of construction materials and techniques and the availability and transport of supplies and workers was also another challenge which developers had to overcome.

Meridien CEO Warwick Bible said the award is a great achievement for everyone involved in bringing to life the dream of One Bright Point.

"The Magnetic Island site proved to be a challenge to the design team and builders as it was a disused quarry but with an important draw card – the Coral Sea,” Mr Bible said.

Mr Bible said the Bovis team wanted to design and build a resort complex that would treat the cliff face as a piece of sculpture that would enhance the islands natural environment and features.

“It wasn’t about seeing what was there but what it would become. One Bright Point offered buyer’s freehold land on an unbelievable island in the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. It doesn’t get any better than that.”

“It was a challenge to build but now looking at the resort and the breathtaking views of the Coral Sea and now winning this award both Meridien and Bovis are very proud of what they’ve accomplished.”

“This award is testament to a commitment by Meridien and Bovis to deliver the best on all of our projects from the ground up. We cannot be successful if we don’t have the expertise and determination of builders and engineers to realise what can be achieved,” Mr Bible said.

- Article by courtesy Meridien (September 2007)

EVENTS

So Many Exciting Events on Magnetic Island

Great Tropical Jazz Party - September
This exciting event takes place over three action packed days and nights in October, and features an impressive assortment of leading international, national and local jazz musicians. Sit back and enjoy the eclectic mix of Mainstream and Contemporary jazz in an intimate resort setting. Visit Website

Jazz at the Lagoon – May
Spend a warm tropical Sunday afternoon with a chilled bottle of wine, quality food and great company. Listen to some cool jazz and watch the kingfishers play at the idyllic water lily filled lagoon in Horseshoe Bay. This is considered one of the most enjoyable events on Magnetic Island’s jam-packed calendar.

Full Moon Party
Visitors and locals alike get the chance to really let their hair down at the monthly full moon party held in Nelly Bay. Dance the night away under the twinkling stars with the beachfront as your dance floor. Enjoy an ice-cold beverage and feel the sand between your toes. Featuring the talents of local and international DJ’s this is an island experience not to be missed.

Whale Watching – Aug to Oct
The quality of whale watching in Australia is recognised as being amongst the best in the world due to the large numbers of humpback whales visiting the east coast, and Magnetic Island is blessed with front row seats to this inspiring phenomenon.
Imagine watching the fifth largest family of whales in the world playing in the warm, calm waters surrounding Magnetic Island. Humpback whales migrate between their Antarctic feeding grounds and the Great Barrier Reef, where they mate and breed in the warm waters. Humpback whales are playful, very powerful, yet often the most gentle creatures of the ocean.

Markets
There are two sets of markets that take place on Magnetic Island. On Friday nights the Arcadian RSL hosts the fabulous night markets where you can enjoy a delicious meal, purchase locally grown produce, and browse stalls of local original art, jewellery and clothing.
The Horseshoe Bay markets are held under the trees on the bay’s beautiful beachfront – last Sunday of the month. Always a popular event, these delightful markets showcase the arts, crafts and small businesses of the Island. Enjoy local live music while you browse.

Magnetic Island Race Week - September (3/9/10 to 7/9/10)
Australia’s richest Sailing Regatta is to be held annually off Magnetic Island and is set to attract some of the country’s leading mariners and yachts to the magnificent sailing waters of Cleveland Bay. This event offers world class Bluewater racing, and spectators are invited to take part.Visit Website

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