Danby Lane Named Finalist in UDIA Queensland Awards for Excellence
Gardner Vaughan is pleased to announce that Danby Lane has been named a finalist in the 2026 UDIA Queensland Awards for Excellence in the Community Engagement category.
Located in the heart of Nundah Village, Danby Lane represents more than a new residential and retail development. It reflects Gardner Vaughan’s long-standing connection to the suburb and a commitment to genuine community engagement, built on listening, collaboration and creating lasting local value.
A Deep Understanding of Nundah
Gardner Vaughan was born and bred in Nundah, with almost four decades of history in the area. As a long-standing neighbour and business partner, our connection to the suburb has shaped the way we approach development and the relationships we build along the way.
Nundah has a strong and active community, with residents historically expressing concerns about high-density development in the area. Previous development proposals by other parties had attracted more than 150 formal submissions.
Understanding this history, Gardner Vaughan recognised that building trust and demonstrating the value of Danby Lane would require more than a traditional consultation process. Our approach was shaped by a genuine commitment to the suburb we have always called home.
Building Trust Through Community Engagement
Early engagement with the community presented its challenges, with some residents initially expressing reservations about the proposed development. However, Gardner Vaughan remained committed to open communication and meaningful engagement throughout the design and planning process.
Our history in Nundah, combined with plans to relocate Gardner Vaughan’s head office to Danby Lane upon completion, reinforced our commitment to becoming a long-term part of the development’s future, not simply its delivery.
Rather than approaching consultation as a planning requirement, we prioritised face-to-face conversations, transparency and opportunities for residents to share their perspectives and influence aspects of the project. This approach extended beyond the development application, with a range of initiatives designed to support local businesses, community organisations and residents.
Investing in the Nundah Community
Supporting Local Businesses
Following the 2022 floods that significantly impacted Toombul Shopping Centre, Gardner Vaughan offered rent-free retail space within its existing site buildings to affected local businesses. This provided an opportunity for businesses to continue operating and maintain their connection with local customers while navigating the disruption caused by the floods.
Creating Nundah Common
A disused car yard on the Danby Lane site was transformed into Nundah Common, a temporary community space that brought people together through food truck nights, charity fundraisers and local gatherings. The initiative created a place for residents to connect, support local causes and celebrate the community spirit that makes Nundah unique.
Supporting Local Events and Organisations
Gardner Vaughan continues to support the local community through ongoing sponsorships and partnerships with local organisations, events, schools and sporting clubs, including Nundah Now, Nundah Art Show and Nundah Festival.
One such partnership is with the Mayne Tigers, with Gardner Vaughan helping raise almost $30,000 at the 2026 Annual Murdoch Campbell Golf Day. These funds will go towards supporting new facilities for the club’s junior players, helping create more opportunities for the next generation.
This ongoing support reflects our belief that being part of a community means contributing to the people, organisations and events that help it thrive. Annie Reid, co-founder of the Nundah Festival, shared her appreciation for the ongoing partnership: “Gardner Vaughan have been a partner of the festival for a number of years, and we couldn’t do it without their sponsorship.”
Retail Shaped by Local Demand
Listening to the community also played an important role in shaping the retail offering at Danby Lane. Through conversations and feedback, Gardner Vaughan gained a better understanding of the businesses and services local residents wanted to see within Nundah Village.
One of these businesses is Style Kitchens by Design, a family-owned kitchen designer and cabinet maker that has been part of Nundah for more than 50 years and has purchased a retail space within Danby Lane.
Owners Stuart May and Luisa Bellini shared their excitement about being part of the development:
“Danby Lane is a really good next chapter of our work life. We’re excited to be a part of the evolution of Nundah.”
Gardner Vaughan has also secured Johnny Gio’s Pizza and Cerin Pasticceria as future retail tenants, bringing two well-known food and hospitality offerings to the development for local residents to enjoy.
How We Engaged with the Nundah Community
Our community engagement strategy brought together a range of initiatives to ensure residents had opportunities to learn about the project, share feedback and remain informed throughout the planning process.
Key initiatives included:
Community pop-ups and face-to-face engagement: Connecting with residents at local events, including the Nundah Festival, to answer questions, listen to feedback and provide updates on the development.
Digital engagement and feedback: Reaching more than 15,900 people through three dedicated social media campaigns, generating over 860 interactions and conducting surveys to better understand community preferences for future retail offerings.
Ongoing communication: Establishing dedicated Danby Lane and Nundah Common webpages, alongside electronic direct mail, letterbox communications and regular briefings with local elected representatives.
A Measurable Impact
The approach to community engagement delivered meaningful results throughout the planning process, demonstrating the value of early consultation and ongoing communication.
Importantly, 95% of community feedback was gathered in person, highlighting the emphasis placed on direct conversations and building relationships within the local community.
When Danby Lane’s impact-assessable Development Application was submitted, the proposal received just 10 submissions, including only one formal objection. This represented a significant shift from the level of opposition experienced by previous development proposals in the area.
Tim Hunt of Harcourts Local reflected on Gardner Vaughan’s approach to community engagement:
“They really welcomed all kinds of feedback, criticism and positive feedback. At the end of the day, what they build is going to be part of the community and they want people in the community to be engaged with what they’re building. It’s so pleasing that there is a family business looking after the area that we love.”
Engagement has continued beyond the planning process. With construction well underway, Nundah residents continue to receive regular project updates and have direct channels to share their feedback and raise any questions throughout construction.
For Gardner Vaughan, community engagement is not limited to the early stages of a development. It is an ongoing commitment that continues as a project takes shape and becomes part of the neighbourhood.
The Future of Nundah
Danby Lane represents an important part of Gardner Vaughan’s ongoing commitment to Nundah and the wider South-East Queensland community.
As construction progresses, the development will introduce new homes, retail opportunities and places for people to connect, contributing to the continued growth and vibrancy of Nundah Village. Upon completion, Gardner Vaughan also plans to relocate its headquarters to Danby Lane, further strengthening the Group’s connection to the suburb and its future.
We thank UDIA Queensland for recognising Danby Lane as a finalist in the 2026 Awards for Excellence and, most importantly, the Nundah community for its ongoing engagement, feedback and contribution throughout the journey.
About Danby Lane
Located at 1192 Sandgate Road, Danby Lane brings together contemporary apartment living, retail and commercial spaces in a development designed to contribute to the ongoing evolution of Nundah Village.
The 12-storey development will comprise:
- 93 apartments offering a mix of contemporary residences suited to South-East Queensland living.
- 2,702 sqm of retail and commercial space, creating opportunities for local businesses and greater activity within the village.
- Resident amenities, including a pool deck, function room, gym and rooftop recreational spaces.
Construction at Danby Lane commenced in February 2025, with completion expected in mid-2027.
Learn more about Danby Lane and enquire now.
