AN AWARDS ceremony recognising the craftsmanship of those whose work is evident in the streets of Ballarat will be held for the first time this year.
The inaugural City of Ballarat Design Excellence Awards will showcase the best of Ballarat's building projects and acknowledge the industry's top achievers.
Nominations are open to anyone who contributed to the design of a new development within the last three years, whether they be architects, builders, developers or dwelling owners.
There are nine entry categories available, enabling nominees to compete in individual niche fields.
City of Ballarat general manager of planning and environmental services Mark Marsden said any development that fitted a category could be nominated.
"The objective is to raise awareness of good design principally, but also to give recognition to good quality development.
"We are pitching the awards (broadly) so that we can capture all the different types of development."
Mr Marsden said the awards aimed to raise the standard of development in Ballarat by recognising quality work and leading by example.
"Something that's innovative, something that's eye catching ... but sits comfortably in the streetscape would be a good contender.
"Or it might be something that is purposefully not eye-catching - that's how wide the criteria is."
Entries will be judged by a panel of seven, comprising two Ballarat City councillors, the council's heritage and urban design officer, a building design professional and representatives from the Royal Australian Institute of Architects and Ballarat Citizens for Thoughtful Development.
The awards will be presented by Mayor David Vendy during a civic reception at the town hall.
Nomination forms are available from the Ballarat City Council website at www.ballarat.vic.gov.au
Nominations close on Friday 23 May.