Bennett and Bennett survey awards victory

Written on the 1 August 2015 by Gold Coast PR Company Consulting Hall

A surveying company that has shaped the growth of the Gold Coast for nearly 50 years has been honoured in the Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards for July. Surveyors and town planners Bennett + Bennett, which was set up by brothers Ted and Lin Bennett in 1968, were awarded the Trades, Services and Professions Award at a ceremony held at Southport Golf Club this week.

Bennett + Bennett executive director Paul Jones said the company, which is now headquartered in Upton Street, Bundall, has grown to have 110 employees working in six offices throughout Queensland and the Northern Territory. "Our customers range from 'mum and dad' property owners through to large developers, mining and exploration companies and all level of Governments,'' said Mr Jones. "Some of our major clients include Lend Lease, Laing O'Rourke, Sunland, Brookfield Multiplex, The Department of Main Roads, Gold Coast City Council, Australand, Grocon, BMD, Sunland, Stockland, Rix Developments, Mirvac and Halcyon".

Mr Jones said Bennett + Bennett's long history meant the company's footprint had been stamped all over the Gold Coast. "Some of the iconic Gold Coast developments that we have been involved with include the Paradise Centre, Ephraim Island, Chevron Renaissance, Royal Pines, Marriot Hotel,  Gold Coast Turf Club, Couran Cove and various Gold Coast theme parks,'' he said. "In recent times we have been majorly involved with developments such the Oracle towers, Soul, Hilton Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast University Hospital, Griffith University and the Rapid Transit System Stage 1."

Mr Jones said the company would be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2018, when the Gold Coast is set to host the Commonwealth Games. He said he believed part of the success of the company was due to the way it looked after its employees.
"I am proud to be part of a company that offers opportunity for staff and has the ability to bring through young staff at labourer or junior assistant level and provide them with a direct path through study or advancement that can lead to business ownership.

"Our managing director Greg Short is a good example. He originally started as a labourer in the company 30 years ago and through opportunities provided within the company and an excellent work ethic, he has risen through the ranks and is now our managing director. "There are many other examples and similar paths being taken. These in-house opportunities have created a staff retention rate well above our industry standards."

Mr Jones said that since the Global Financial Crisis hit in 2008, the company had opened three new offices and had almost doubled the number of its employees to 110.

In the other categories, Secure Internet Storage Solutions locked up the Mayor's Innovation trophy, Regen Australia won the Environment and Sustainability category, Totally Workwear showed a clean pair of heels in Retail, Wholesale and Distribution, GCOMM hooked up Knowledge Management, Knotwood screwed down the Manufacturing and Construction Award, The Scenic Day Tour Group cruised away with the Tourism, Hospitality and Events, Above and Beyond Funerals claimed the Emerging Business Award, Usher & Son took out the Family Business and PhysioSpine collected the honours in Health and Wellbeing. 

The awards' sponsors include City of Gold Coast, Suncorp Bank, Department of Industry and Science, OntheNet, Griffith University, Regional Development Australia Gold Coast, Pindara Private Hospital, Flight Centre Business Travel and Gold Coast Airport.

The major supporters are SMART McCann Worldgroup, Document Solutions Australia, Consulting Hall, Jupiter's Gold Coast, Regina King Photography, Bruce Lynton BMW & Land Rover, Bond University, KPMG, Dreamweavers and Gold Coast Suns.

The awards' media sponsors include the Gold Coast Bulletin, NBN Television, 92.5 Gold FM and 90.9 Sea FM.