Sustainable development advocate wins state construction award

Brisbane’s Helen Armstrong has been acknowledged for her outstanding achievements and contribution to the construction industry with the Leighton Contractors Award for Achievement in Sustainable Development Award at the National Association for Women in Construction (NAWIC) Qld 2010 Crystal Vision Awards.

The NAWIC Qld Crystal Vision Awards recognise the courage, skills and innovation needed for women to succeed in the construction industry in Queensland.

Founder and Director of House of Stars, Armstrong is responsible for the assessment and implementation of energy-efficient developments and dwellings in the built environment - classifying homes with ratings based on their sustainability.

Armstrong consults to a number of key projects, including the Buildmore ‘Women in Building Project’, offering advice and practices to clients, ensuring each home sets industry benchmarks in efficient housing.

According to NAWIC Qld President Nicholle Sparkes, Armstrong was selected as the 2010 Achievement in Sustainable Development Award winner because she has made a significant contribution to the construction industry and is dedicated to the continual innovation of environmentally sound developments.

“Helen is a highly professional individual, having worked tirelessly towards educating the industry on the importance of implementing energy-efficient initiatives within new dwellings and communities.

“She has embraced the challenges of working in a traditionally male-dominated environment and has established excellent best practices, making an exceptional contribution to a more sustainable future for the industry,” Sparkes said.

This year, the NAWIC entrants were judged on a range of criteria including best practice, innovation, initiative, technical complexity challenges overcome and future aspirations, and Sparkes congratulated each of the winners and all those who were nominated for the 2010 awards.

“The judges have chosen 11 outstanding Queensland women who have clearly demonstrated their commitment to the construction industry,” Sparkes said.

Less than 3% of construction trade workers in Queensland are women and the NAWIC awards acknowledge those who are succeeding in the industry and aim to encourage more Queensland women to consider a career in construction.