About Expertise Projects Responsibility Insights Careers

A globally connected workforce of specialists, operating out of more
than 40 countries

From the early pioneers on the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme, to our leaders and innovators of today, our people make us who we are.

We align specialist expertise to deliver effective, practical and sustainable outcomes

Through our network of global specialists and by collaborating with local partners, we connect you with the best teams and capabilities to deliver highly innovative and sustainable solutions.

We're committed to positively impact the individuals and communities we work with

As an organisation we are continually evaluating ways we can better provide a safe, flexible, inclusive and respectful workplace for our people and clients.

Join an inclusive workplace rich in diverse thinking

People are at the heart of our organisation, we strive to create a flexible, diverse and inclusive environment that enables our people to thrive to their fullest potential.

Explore career opportunities
Asia
Azerbaijan Bangladesh Bhutan Brunei Cambodia China Georgia Hong Kong India Indonesia Kazakhstan Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Macau Malaysia Mongolia Myanmar Nepal Pakistan Philippines Qatar Singapore Sri Lanka Tajikistan Timor-Leste Emirates Uzbekistan Vietnam
Africa
Angola Botswana Ethiopia Ghana Kenya Lesotho Liberia Madagascar Malawi Mauritius Morocco Mozambique Namibia Nigeria Rwanda Seychelles Sierra Leone South Africa South Sudan Swaziland Tanzania Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe
Australasia
Australia Fiji Kiribati New Zealand Papua New Guinea Samoa Solomon Islands Tonga Vanuatu
South America
Chile
SPA ENG
North America Mexico
Global
News
Messara
Park
Recognised
with
Dual
Honours
at
2025
AILA
VIC
Awards
June 10, 2025
Messara Park has been recognised with two major honours at the 2025 Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) Awards (Victoria Chapter), receiving the Award of Excellence – Parks & Open Space and the Climate Positive Design Award.

The dual award acknowledges the collaborative design leadership that shaped Messara Park into a space that invites play, supports environmental education, and strengthens community connection.

 

Designed by SMEC Landscape Architecture Studio in partnership with Development Victoria, the park forms the centrepiece of the Taylors Quarter neighbourhood in Melbourne’s west. Its form and features were shaped through close consultation with Brimbank City Council, residents, consultants and stakeholders.

 

Featuring predominantly native vegetation, including the critically endangered grasslands of the Victorian Volcanic Plain, the park responds directly to its ecology. Integrated water-sensitive urban design elements such as a dry creek bed, rain gardens, and underground stormwater storage manage flood risk and reduce runoff, while six wind turbines power interactive lighting and offer a playful, educational entry point into renewable energy.

 

The project has achieved EnviroDevelopment certification across all six sustainability categories and is now regarded as a leading example of climate-conscious design for growth area communities.

Location

VIC, Australia

Awards
  • AILA VIC Awards, Award of Excellence – Parks & Open Space (2025)
  • AILA VIC Awards, Climate Positive Design Award (2025)
Collaborators
  • Naturform (Head Contractor)
  • Trentlek (Wind Turbine Specialist),
  • Ecocentric Environmental Consulting (Ecologist)
  • Ecostream water (Irrigation Design)
  • GHD (Civil Engineering)
  • Tardis Archaeology (Heritage Advisor)
  • Robert Bird Group (Structural Engineering)

Client Response

“Working with SMEC on Messara Park was a collaborative and rewarding process. Their ability to transform site constraints into lasting community benefits has created a park that is both functional and inspiring. Wind turbines generate renewable energy for the lighting whilst showcasing an innovative approach to sustainability that Development Victoria, Council, and the local community have embraced and will continue to benefit from.

Through SMEC’s leadership, we’ve delivered a resilient, engaging, and low-maintenance landscape that serves as a model for future developments—a testament to the role of landscape architects in orchestrating spaces that balance nature, community, and long-term sustainability.”

-Development Victoria

 

AILA Jury Citations

VIC Award of Excellence Parks and Open Space

“Messara Place is a vibrant, multi-functional community park. A diverse and inclusive range of landscape experiences foster social connection and provide a range of recreational opportunities for all ages. Messara Park provides an aspirational model for the suburban community park and demonstrates the diverse and positive contributions that landscape architecture brings to social and environmental sustainability.”

VIC Award for Climate Positive Design

“Messara Park is a low-carbon landscape that integrates renewable energy, water-sensitive urban design and biodiversity to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Biodiverse and resilient planting sequesters carbon, provides shade, reduces the urban heat island effect and improves thermal comfort. Messara Park is an excellent demonstration of landscape architecture’s contribution to climate-positive design.”

Learn more about the project
Taylors Quarter and Messara Park, Victoria

Recent
updates

View all