National planning awards celebrate best practice in planning processes

The 2019 National Awards for Planning Excellence, presented by the Planning Institute of Australia at a ceremony on the Gold Coast on 15 May 2019, awarded people and projects from around Australia for outstanding achievements in planning.

Three of the award categories celebrate best practice in planning processes. The Hard Won Victory Award recognizes a planning initiative, effort or leadership that has resulting in positive planning outcomes in the face of difficult or trying circumstances. The Improving Planning Processes and Practices Award recognizes the achievements of planners, planning authorities and development entities in translating good planning policy into improved processes and practices in the workplace and ‘on the ground’. And the Public Engagement & Community Planning Award recognizes initiatives in best practice public engagement that achieves an outstanding and innovative contribution to social planning practice and outcomes.

Improving Planning Processes and Practices

Award: Simplifying Offset Delivery (QLD)
Project team: City of Gold Coast – Environmental Planning Major Projects Team and the Natural Areas Management Unit

Jury comment: The judging panel lauded the project for its on the ground outcomes and for demonstrating how, through innovation and collaboration, complex and challenging problems can be addressed to deliver widespread environmental benefits, and efficiencies for industry.

Commendation: Tweet Shire council Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan (NSW)
Project team: Tweed Shire Council and Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council on behalf of the Aboriginal Advisory Committee

The Hard Won Victory

Award: Toowoomba Region Flood Management – Safer, Stronger, More Resilient Region (QLD)
Project team: Toowoomba Regional Council

Jury comment: The judging panel commended the project for its delivery of far-reaching benefits, and for skilfully negotiating myriad challenges including dealing with community concerns, conflicting interests, and potentially dire consequences.

Commendation: Establishing Latrobe City’s Heavy Industry Precinct – Challenging History for a Future Beyond Coal (VIC)
Project team: Latrobe City Council

Public Engagement and Community Planning

Award: Gumeracha Main Street Master Plan Design Framework (SA)
Project team: Gumeracha Main Street Project, Adelaide Hills Council, Jensen Plus

Jury comment: The judges believed the project was an excellent example of a bottom-up community planning and engagement process with capacity building and educational outcomes for the local community.

Commendation: Plan Brimbank (VIC)
Project team: Brimbank City Council and Harvest Digital Planning

Click here to view all of the award categories.

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