Gibson's winning reputation

FOR the third year in a row, Kieran Gibson has been building the Wide Bay into a better place.

FOR the third year in a row, Kieran Gibson has been building the Wide Bay into a better place.

That is, according to the annual HIA-Melco Lanhams Sunshine Coast/Wide Bay housing awards, which awarded Mr Gibson top awards three-years running in their annual competition.

“We've been lucky, we've been winners in 2007, 2008 and 2009,” Mr Gibson said.

Mr Gibson was there to receive his award at the Sunshine Coast ceremony on Friday night, which was for the best custom-built home at $500,000 to $750,000 category.

The masterpiece at Agnes Water may have won this year, but last year Gibson Building won for a $4 million project, and in 2007 it was for a townhouse.

“We do a bit of everything,” Mr Gibson said.

“Each of those are all higher-end architecturally so I enjoy the challenge of something different, more out there, a bit more fun.”

Since its beginnings in 1995, the company has gone from strength to strength.

“It's good to see we can keep up with them,” Mr Gibson said, referring to the high number of finalists in the competition from the Sunshine Coast.

“It instils a bit of pride in a small community, and shows we're not bad for a little town.”

He said the challenge has been a bit harder in the past 18 months with the market changing, but a good relationship can make all the difference.

“Clients have been keeping their hands in their pockets because of the economy,” Mr Gibson said.

“At the moment I've got a good relationship with Gladstone Council, like everything it's a relationship everyone is looking for and they're very quality-orientated.”

Mr Gibson said they were now in the process of replacing an access bridge at Tom Jeffrey Park, and mere months ago completed the foreshore development at Seventeen Seventy.

HIA Sunshine Coast area manager Adrian Langford praised the support given by the local industry.

Geoff Penny Builders were also finalists in the competition, with two entries chosen for the renovation/addition up to $400,000 at Innes Park and Elliott Heads.

Originally published as Gibson's winning reputation