Unique build earns State Award
NETTIE Williams was shocked when the parent’s retreat they added on to their house, to help accommodate multi-generational family living, won a state award for building excellence.
“We’re proud as punch, absolutely! It’s unique, it’s different to anything else we’ve ever seen, and people love it. They walk in and they just go, ‘Oh this is amazing, we want this,’” Mrs Williams told Dubbo Photo News.
“This small extension is for our retirement so we can enjoy the next part of our journey, and so many of our friends want exactly the same thing – and I don’t blame them.”
Dubbo builder Matt Lack masterminded what was not only a complex build in itself, but one which had to fit in a footprint to remain out of the 1 in 100-year flood zone, and also look like it was part of the original build and not an add-on.
The recognition was part of the Master Builders NSW 2019 awards, winning the category of best renovation or addition up to $250,000.
“I was in the regional awards last year and as a result of winning at those awards I thought I’d DUBBO NEWS have a crack at the NSW awards,” Mr Lack said.
He said the project and the win wouldn’t have been possible without the unique location and “fantastic clients like Neil and Netty”.
“This project started as a discussion right here in the back courtyard area and that led to getting (architect) Charles de Beer involved for the design. In coordination with the clients, once we came up with something that worked for their needs the project stemmed from there,” he said.
The award was presented by Johanna Griggs from Better Homes and Gardens.
“I’m very excited, it was quite a nice surprise to hear my name called out on the night. My wife and I were over the moon,” Mr Lack said.
“Tying this project into the existing build and getting everything to flow and match in so it doesn’t look like it’s been added on was a challenge.
“I think there were only two trusses in the roof that were the same. The plan of the roof was just a nightmare, where we’d normally take two days to do a roof frame, we were two weeks doing this one.
“I get a lot of satisfaction out of those challenges and getting to the end result and being proud of it myself. Not only were the clients very happy... it’s good to finish something you think you’d love to own yourself,” he said.
Nettie Williams said three generations of her family are over the moon at the recognition Matt has achieved for his craftsmanship, attention to detail and ability to listen and understand what clients want.
“Thank you for being a great listener, thank you for having an amazing group of tradies that care about what they are doing, and congratulations to you and Jackie and your amazing team,” Mrs Williams said.
“You and your team created the most amazing piece of paradise for Neil and I to share in our latter part of life together with our amazing kids, grandkids and extended family and friends and we will be forever grateful.
“Matty had a fair idea of our tastes and style because he’d actually built our first home and the cottage for us, so we’d worked with Matt before which was wonderful. He knew us well enough to know what we wanted and it just worked out perfectly,” she said. THE NSW Opposition has expressed concern at the NSW Government’s announcement the minimum-security Brewarrina Correction Centre (Yetta Dhinnakkal) will close.
The centre has served as a rehabilitation prison for inmates transitioning to release and been a source of local employment.
The Government is yet to outline how the Correctional Centre could be re-purposed and what funds are available for this.
“The Government promised no regional job losses prior to the last election, this announcement seemingly gives lie to this pledge,” Shadow Minister for Corrections Chris Minns said.
Meanwhile Grafton’s $798 million prison will open its doors next year, built by the NSW Government in partnership with private consortium Northernpathways which is expected to generate billions in revenue over a 20-year term. STATE Labor leader Jodi Mckay was on the warpath during a Dubbo visit this week but said her trip out west had forced NSW water minister Melinda Pavey to finally act. Ms Mckay was critical of how the water minister had handled recent events.
“Rather than coming to Dubbo and meeting with the Mayor and Council about her concerns, she chose to provide an advance copy of a letter to Council to a reporter at the Sydney Morning Herald. This resulted in a front page story the following day depicting the Dubbo Council as failing to properly manage water and the Berejiklian Government threatening to intervene,” Ms Mckay said.
Deputy opposition leader Yasmin Catley also made the trip to Dubbo and said that by contrast Labor was doing the Council the courtesy of coming to meet with them and other local stakeholders to listen to their concerns.