Melbourne’s $15.5bn Metro Tunnel has scored an award, for marketing.

Efforts to lease the tunnel’s retail spaces headed by Colliers International was on Thursday night recognised by the Real Estate Institute of Victoria as the state’s best commercial and industrial marketing campaign by a large agency in 2024.

The still incomplete, 9km tunnel project has had its original $10.9bn forecast cost soar to $15.5bn since planning for it began in 2015.

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Marketing included nods to the project’s 37 retail tenancies, five train stations and variety of precincts.

Additional REIV award winners included Jellis Craig Whitehorse being named the best large residential agency of the year, Ray White Mildura receiving a gong as the inaugural best regional agency and McGrath Werribee’s Tainey Jain being named the best residential salesperson of the year.

Jellis Craig Whitehorse were named the REIV’s top large agency of 2024.

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REIV chief executive Kelly Ryan said the awards recognised the professionalism and talent of all finalists after what had been a “challenging year for the property sector”.

“Our real estate industry has a key role to play in helping more Victorians into homes,” Ms Ryan said.

“We’re encouraged by the recent Victorian Government announcements to address housing challenges in our state, and initiatives like stamp duty reform and incentive-based approaches will not only ease housing pressures but also create opportunities for our industry and growing pipeline of real estate talent.”

Marketing imagery that helped the Metro Tunnel to an award win.

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REIV 2024 AWARD WINNERS

Commercial Agency of the Year – Stonebridge Property Group

Innovation Award – Network Pacific

Regional Agency of the Year – Ray White Mildura

Large Residential Agency of the Year – Jellis Craig Whitehorse

Medium Residential Agency of the Year – Woodards Manningham

Residential Property Management Team of the Year – LongView

Residential Sales Team of the Year – OBrien Real Estate Carrum Downs

Small Residential Agency of the Year – MATTHEWS.

Achievement Award – Amir Attarsharifi | Hoskins (Donvale)

Business Development Manager of the Year – Alex Gale | Elite Property Management Agency

Buyers’ Agent of the Year – Tonya Davidson | Davidson Property Advocates

Commercial Property Manager of the Year – Thuy Nguyen | Biggin Scott Mitcham

Commercial Salesperson of the Year – Ben Hackworthy | Lemon Baxter

Marketer of the Year – Nadia Polzella | LINK Business Brokers Melbourne

Novice Auctioneer of the Year – Matthew Rossi | Nelson Alexander Pascoe Vale

Operational Leadership Award – Stephen Briffa | Network Pacific

Operational Support Award – Ellayne Lim | Little Real Estate (VIC & NSW)

Owners Corporation Manager of the Year – Andrew Dawson | Engine Owners Corporation Management

President’s Award – Richard Simpson | W.B. Simpson & Son

Former REIV president Richard Simpson won the President’s Award from current boss Jacob Caine.

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Property Valuer of the Year – Chengli (Jenny) Jia | JL Property Buyers Agent

Regional Property Manager of the Year – Charlotte McKendrick | Ray White Mildura

Residential Property Manager of the Year – Claire Spring | Nicholson Real Estate

Residential Salesperson of the Year – Taney Jain | McGrath Estate Agents Werribee

Community Service – OBrien Real Estate

Marketing and Communications Award – Lowe Living

Residential Marketing Award (Budget over $10K) – 146 Domain Street, South Yarra | Castran Gilbert

Residential Marketing Award (Budget under $10k) – 615 Glenroy Road, Merrijig | McGrath Mansfield

C & I Marketing – Best Campaign by a Large Agency – Melbourne Metro Tunnel | Colliers International

An image of Colliers marketing of the Metro Tunnel’s retail spaces.

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C & I Marketing – Best Campaign by a Medium Agency – 11 Monterey Road, Dandenong South | Nichols Crowder (Moorabbin)

C & I Marketing – Best Campaign by a Small Agency – The Tote Hotel | Miglic Dean

Senior Auctioneer of the Year:

Paul Tzamalis | The Auction Company – WINNER

Luke Banitsiotis | Woodards Blackburn – Runner Up

REIV Senior Auctioneer of the Year Paul Tzamalis.

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