A Gold Coast facility helping surf lifesavers protect coastal communities across Queensland has earned McNab top honours at the 2026 Queensland Master Builders Housing & Construction Awards.
Surf Life Saving Queensland’s purpose-built Gold Coast headquarters was named the state’s Best Commercial/Industrial Building from $3 million to $10 million at the awards.
Delivered on time and within budget, the almost $8 million, three-level facility brings together emergency response coordination, lifesaving training and education, administration and specialist rescue boat manufacturing.
McNab Gold Coast Construction Manager Cameron Fidler said the award recognised the team’s ability to deliver a technically complex building with an important community purpose.
“Behind every beach patrol and rescue is a network of people working to keep our coastal communities safe. This headquarters gives Surf Life Saving Queensland the facilities to coordinate, train and support that work,” Mr Fidler said.
“The building needed to bring together very different functions, from coordinating emergency responses to manufacturing rescue boats, while giving staff and volunteers practical spaces to work and train.
“Working closely with Surf Life Saving Queensland, Sparc* architects and our subcontractor partners, our team delivered a building that meets those needs and provides flexibility for the future.
“Knowing who would use this headquarters and the difference it would make gave the project real meaning for our team. We’re proud to see it recognised among Queensland’s best, and even prouder of the role it will play in supporting Surf Life Saving Queensland.”
At the heart of the headquarters is the State Operations and Communications Centre, which coordinates frontline services across Queensland, supporting surf clubs, lifeguards and emergency service partners.
During incidents, the centre coordinates rescue boats and watercraft while liaising with drone operators, rescue helicopters and other emergency services.
The headquarters also houses a dedicated workshop for Thundercat Inflatables, supporting the manufacture, maintenance and deployment of inflatable rescue boats used by surf lifesavers around Australia.
Delivering these functions within a constrained 1,500 square metre site required careful planning, including measures to protect neighbouring structures and maintain access to an operational telecommunications tower.
Precast concrete structural walls improved construction efficiency and finish quality, while McNab’s internal trades teams supported carpentry, formwork, painting and waterproofing.
“Some of the most important work on a project happens well before the finished building is visible,” Mr Fidler said.
“This award reflects the care our team put into planning, solving problems and working with our client and neighbours throughout construction. It’s a fantastic achievement for everyone involved.”
Surf Life Saving Queensland Chief Financial Officer David Nothard praised the team’s collaborative approach and congratulated them on the win.
“Throughout the entire process, the McNab team demonstrated a high level of professionalism, reliability, and genuine care for the outcome,” Mr Nothard said.
“From the outset, they made sure to understand our needs clearly and consistently checked in to ensure that every stage of the project aligned with our expectations.
“Our experience was indeed what they promised: ‘relationship builders’.”
The Gold Coast headquarters was one of three McNab projects recognised at the Queensland awards.
The Sunshine Coast’s Maroochy Private Hospital was named Queensland’s Best Health Facility over $20 million, while the Novus Precast Manufacturing Distribution Facility won Queensland’s Best Commercial/Industrial Building from $10 million to $25 million.
All three projects will now progress to the National Master Builders Awards, to be held at The Star in Brisbane on Friday 27 November.
For more information, visit http://www.mcnab.net.au.
ABOUT MCNAB GROUP
McNab Group is one of Australia’s largest and most trusted privately-owned construction and property groups, generating over $1 billion annually. With long-term industry relationships and a vertically integrated model that includes award-winning construction, property developments, building revitalisation, building materials, energy, construction hire, and skilled trades and labour, McNab Group is uniquely positioned to deliver certainty and quality in an ever-changing environment. McNab Group has an established funding relationship with Ray White Capital, most recently delivering the award-winning White Main Beach Apartments and Elements Budds Beach through a funding partnership with corporate partners including Mitsubishi Estate Asia and Ray White Capital
