PIA Awards for Planning Excellence Message from the CEO and National president The PIA Awards for Planning Excellence recognise, reward and celebrate outstanding planning achievements. This is a highly regarded industry awards program that provides a forum for planners and planning teams within the profession to showcase their excellent work and promote planning to the wider community. The annual Awards program allows planning professionals from all states and territories the opportunity to have their work critically judged by local peers with winning projects from each jurisdiction later judged at the PIA National Awards ceremony. Planning projects winning at state or territory level have the opportunity to be acknowledged nationally as the best of what planning and planners in Australia have to offer. The program is designed to encourage continued excellence in planning achievements in an industry that applauds leadership, creativity and best practice. Promoting planning success stories in this way reaches out to engage the community with the message that planners really do make a difference. Those who participate in the PIA Awards for Planning Excellence make a small but important contribution that demonstrates a commitment to advancing the planning profession. Through this program the community can see the enormously important and positive contribution the Planning profession makes to the future of human settlement. Kirsty Kelly Dyan Currie 2 PIA (SA Division) Awards for Planning Excellence 2014
PIA Awards for Planning Excellence Contents Message from the PIA SA President... 4 Message from the PIA SA Awards Convenor... 5 2014 Awards for Excellence Sponsors... 6 2014 Awards Convenor & Judges... 7 Young Planner of the Year... 8 Best Planning Ideas Award - Large Project... 9 Best Planning Ideas Award - Large Project... 10 Best Planning Ideas Award - Small Project... 11 From Plan to Place Award... 12 Public Engagement & Community Planning Award... 13 Improving Planning Processes and Practices Award... 14 Cutting Edge Research and Teaching... 15 Cutting Edge Research and Teaching... 16 Minister s Award... 17 President s Award... 18 Outstanding Student Project Award - Tertiary... 19 2014 Awards for Planning Excellence Overview... 20 2014 Planning Excellence Awards Nominees... 21 Planning Institute Australia South Australian Division Level 1/ 162 Fullarton Road ROSE PARK SA 5067 Tel (08) 8361 3613 sa@planning.org.au www.planning.org.au PIA (SA Division) Awards for Planning Excellence 2014 3
PIA Awards for Planning Excellence Message from the PIA SA President The PIA Awards for Planning Excellence are an opportunity for the planning industry to take a step back and recognise the role that planning plays in the creation of great communities and places. The Awards highlight the diverse and varied roles that planners have in the planning and development of our urban and regional environments and demonstrate what can be achieved by focused teams with diverse experiences and skills and a common goal. The Awards for Planning Excellence also recognize outstanding performance or contribution of individual planners to the industry or their community. The Awards are an opportunity to celebrate success and share knowledge for the betterment of the profession and the communities we serve. Being involved in the Awards judging again this year I congratulate all the Award nominees for the quality of their work and thank them for the time that has been put into nominating projects for recognition. It is the projects nominated for recognition that make the Awards for Planning Excellence a significant event on the planning calendar each year. I would like to recognize the efforts of the PIA Awards Judging Panel, led by Awards Convener Stuart Mosely. The Award judges give up their time and are faced with some tough decisions as part of Award deliberations but they have again selected a series of South Australian projects that will go on to compete on the National PIA Awards for Planning Excellence and represent the great work that is being undertaken in SA. So to all the Awards winners and nominees I offer my congratulations and to the planning industry I offer a well done on another year of making a real impact on the creation of great places and communities in South Australia. Darren Starr MPIA CPP PIA SA President While not every nominated project will come away with an award, all of the projects that have been nominated deserve recognition for the contribution that they have made to the planning profession and the planning and development of this State. 4 PIA (SA Division) Awards for Planning Excellence 2014
PIA Awards for Planning Excellence Message from the PIA SA Convenor As planners, we are continually challenged to ensure that planning is matched by delivery. A good plan avails nothing if it goes undelivered. The job of plans and planning is to harness the forces of delivery Government and private sector decisions, regulation and investment, information and influence to ensure the best possible on-ground outcomes. Uncertainty in public policy or in the economy tends to temporarily reduce the level of both planning and delivery, and we have definitely had our share of uncertainty over the last 12 months or so. All three spheres of Government have gone to the polls since September last year, and the State s economy is by no means buoyant at the current time. Unsurprisingly in this context, the field of nominations for this year s Awards was smaller than average but thankfully of no less quality! The nominations are once again testament to the breadth and diversity of planning in this State. There is representation from urban areas and rural areas, large projects and small projects, private sector and public sector. There are projects with a focus on climate change, community development, recreation, mainstreet activation, public health, growth management, economic productivity, engagement and communication. The ability of planners to collaborate widely across jurisdictions, disciplines and sectors is particularly evident this year, with many nominations being backed by large collaborative alliances, evidencing the complexity and multiplicity of stakeholders in contemporary planning practice. My congratulations to all nominees, and particularly those who have been recognised with an award or a commendation. My thanks to the judging panel and to George, Jodi and Carly for making it all happen. Thanks to PIA for the opportunity to again convene the judging panel, and thanks to all those members who invest their time and energy in supporting these very important awards. Stuart Moseley FPIA, CPP Kelledy Jones is a you re used to. We are specialist lawyers for local government who will not act against or contrary to the interests of any council. If you want to work with a team that is passionate about providing an exemplary service and has specialist knowledge and expertise in Planning & Building Law as well as Environmental Law, give us a call. (08) 8113 7100 info@kelledyjones.com.au kelledyjones.com.au Lead. Reason. Advise. PIA (SA Division) Awards for Planning Excellence 2014 5
PIA Awards for Planning Excellence Sponsors PIA SA thank the generous sponsors of the 2014 Awards for Planning Excellence. 6 PIA (SA Division) Awards for Planning Excellence 2014
PIA Awards for Planning Excellence AWARDS Convenor AND JUDGES PIA SA thank the Convenor & Judges for their time and assistance with the 2014 Awards for Planning Excellence. Convenor Judges Stuart Moseley Cate Atkinson Wendy Bell Gavin Leydon Darren Starr Dr Donna Ferretti George Inglis Lisa Teburea PIA (SA Division) Awards for Planning Excellence 2014 7
Outstanding Achievement by a Young Planner Young Planner of the Year winner Olivia Franco - AECOM Since graduating, Olivia has demonstrated leadership in the planning profession, taking an active role with the Planning Institute of Australia. Olivia is currently the Chair of the Planning Institute of Australia SA Young Planners Group and has been a Committee member since 2011. Olivia is also the South Australian representative on the Planning Institute of Australia National Young Planners Group and played a key role in the National Young Planners Conference recently held in Sydney. Through work in local government and now in the private sector, Olivia has developed and demonstrated excellent skills in strategic planning, policy planning, development assessment and community engagement. She has played a key role in the delivery of a range of integrated land use and strategic transport planning projects in four State/ Territory jurisdictions. Olivia is an exceptional young planner and an appropriate recipient of this award. 8 PIA (SA Division) Awards for Planning Excellence 2014
Best Planning Ideas Award - Large This Award recognises outstanding planning ideas. winner Virginia and Northern Adelaide Horticultural Plains Study City of Playford, District Council of Mallala, Jensen Planning + Design, Econsearch, Scholefield Robinson Horticultural Services, Avante Mapping Solutions, Wallbridge & Gilbert, Regional Development Australia Barossa, Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia, Hortex Alliance Inc, Adelaide & Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resource Management Board. This engaging, wide-reaching and inclusive report is an exemplar of cross-disciplinary, cross-sectoral collaboration. It balances a grand vision with tangible actions, and meaningful consultation with accountability. The broad coalition of partners that commissioned the work can be seen in the report s broad remit, and in its multi-faceted approach. The report was developed in a spirit of collaboration, and the recommendations are proposed to function in this same way, pursued in collaboration between governments, individuals, businesses and organisations. The report s conclusions engage each of these stakeholder groups as Champions of the recommended actions, creating a line of responsibility that runs through consultation, research and drafting, through to tangible and accountable recommendations. It also aligns successfully to existing and proposed plans, and assesses and leverages them. Of the project s many outstanding features, the Good News Stories appearing throughout serve to demonstrate with real-world examples the issues being discussed and the expected benefits of the proposed actions on the ground. This is an exciting example of a project proposal that manages to incorporate a consultation plan, a business plan and project plan all in one. Its ambition and its robust implementation program give it real potential to maximise the region s contribution to the state s economic future. PIA (SA Division) Awards for Planning Excellence 2014 9
Best Planning Ideas Award - Large This Award recognises outstanding planning ideas. COMMENDATION Progressing the UNESCO Mount Lofty Ranges Agrarian Landscape World Heritage Bid Adelaide Hills Council, Alexandrina Council, The Barossa Council, District Council of Mount Barker, City of Onkaparinga, District Council of Yankalilla, Regional Development Australia Barossa, Global Food Studies Program, University of Adelaide. The Councils of the Mt Lofty Ranges are commended for their initiative in commissioning researchers at the University of Adelaide to investigate the feasibility of making a bid for UNESCO World Heritage listing for the working landscape of the Mt Lofty Ranges. The investigations convincingly outlined how UNESCO s cultural criteria are linked to land policy and socioeconomic values of the Wakefield Plan, the values incorporated in land use planning and the values and objectives that underpin the Character Preservation legislation for the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale. This innovative initiative provides a unique opportunity to assist integrated planning and development at the landscape and regional level and demonstrates how it could improve land use planning policies and their implementation in these vulnerable peri-urban environments. It includes a comprehensive record of preliminary investigations and concludes that there is justification in proceeding to the next stage of preparing a full bid. It has taken several years of effort and there is still some way to go. However, the document inspires optimism and confidence about the region and identifies and responds to some of the challenges that have to be addressed if full listing is to be granted. 10 PIA (SA Division) Awards for Planning Excellence 2014
Best Planning Ideas Award - Small This Award recognises outstanding planning ideas. COMMENDATION District Council of Mallala Coastal Settlements Adaptation Study District Council of Mallala, University of South Australia, URS Australia Pty Ltd. This project has shown merit in enhancing the resilience of small coastal communities through adaptation, risk-based land used planning and localised emergency management strategies. Project investigations uniquely combined empirical evidence with the experiences and observations of the four communities of past flooding events and local characteristics to create a common understanding between decision makers and communities about the likely impacts of sea level rise. Having built mutual trust and understanding through comprehensive engagement, the project delivered cost effective, realistic and achievable adaptation strategies, which include an innovative community led flood warning strategy. A good foundation has been built for exploring further community planning initiatives. This project demonstrates a best practice approach that could be enhanced and implemented in coastal communities nationally to strengthen resilience to disasters. PIA (SA Division) Awards for Planning Excellence 2014 11
From Plan to Place Award This Award recognises the implementation of a plan into a successful place. WINNER Prospect Road Village Heart City of Prospect, Jensen Planning + Design, Tonkin consulting, Brecknock Consulting This is an excellent project that has demonstrated a proactive and creative approach to recreating the transport corridor of Prospect Road into a vibrant and exciting destination. The project has transformed an urban environment dominated by cars with little character into one that is a great place for people with its own character, amenity and a new identity. It is considered that the project demonstrates the fundamentals of transformative design and its impact is widespread. The project was well designed and comprehensive, which has equally met the challenges of changing the social, economic and environmental outcomes of the locality whilst minimising impact on businesses and the community. The outcome is a project that is driving an investment in each of these fundamental areas. Changing spaces is often controversial and is done on only one dimension. The judges considered this project has achieved a significant place making project which demonstrates how a major road can be activated to the benefit of the community, and yet retain its functionality. The engagement process, design approach, and implementation demonstrates outstanding techniques of planning which is now providing a return and promotes the value and innovation of place making. 12 PIA (SA Division) Awards for Planning Excellence 2014
Public Engagement and Community Planning Award This Award recognises initiatives in best practice public engagement that achieve an outstanding and innovative contribution to social planning practice and outcomes. WINNER PLAYFORD ALIVE MASTER PLAN Renewal SA, URPS, Natalie Fuller and Associates, ASPECT Studios, Playce Pty Ltd. The Playford Alive Town Park Masterplan is an outstanding example of how the assiduous engagement of multiple user communities (often with complex requirements) can be used to deliver a robust blueprint for creating a quality public space. The judges were very impressed by the painstaking approach this project took to identify and engage with multiple user groups, including some of the most socio-economically disadvantaged in Adelaide and new immigrant groups that are seldom specifically engaged in planning processes. This engagement delivered a rich understanding of user requirements to the project s design team and has set the scene for construction of a Town Park that has real potential to operate as a genuine community-owned place for the current and future residents of Playford Alive. While the success of the engagement and planning process will only be apparent once the Town Park is constructed and in use, the effectiveness with which community participation has been integrated into the design process is undoubtedly at the leading edge of current planning practice. PIA (SA Division) Awards for Planning Excellence 2014 13
Improving Planning Processes and Practices Award This Award recognises 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. commendation Planning for Precincts and Hubs: Delivery of the City of Tea Tree Gully City Master Plan 2011-2040 City of Tea Tree Gully The City of Tea Tree Gully Planning for Precincts and Hubs Framework has established a clear linkage between city-wide strategic planning, precinct planning and project delivery in a local government environment. The framework provides a connection between community vision, local policy development and the delivery of infrastructure, facilities and services. The development of detailed plans, at neighbourhood level, that reflect strategic goals and identify local projects along with timeframes for delivery and indicative costs, allow for the development of accountability for Council and reasonable expectation from local communities. The award judges were impressed with the co-ordinated nature of the framework approach and by its potential applicability to other jurisdictions, providing a very useful tool for Councils across Greater Adelaide. 14 PIA (SA Division) Awards for Planning Excellence 2014
Minister s Cutting Edge Award Research and Teaching The Minister s Award is given to the overall winner of the South Australian Awards for Planning Excellence. This Award recognises This Award an is outstanding judged by achievement the South Australian in planning Minister scholarship, for Urban research Development, or teaching. Planning and the City of Adelaide. WINNER Unleashed: A Guide to Successful Dog Parks Balancing Act Adelaide This study of Dog Park Design is unique in the South Australian context. It draws on and successfully integrates a range of design, health and animal behavioural discourses to produce a highly useful design guide for those planning dog parks in an urban setting. By unravelling the complex set of interactions usually associated with enclosed dog parks, the study provides the necessary platform for a design-led approach to the development of such parks which is likely to avoid many of the issues that have been found to limit the effectiveness of existing parks in facilitating healthier lifestyles for people and their pets. The document has been professionally produced, has widespread application and demonstrates a high level of technical competence and relevant research. It is topical and timely, and will become more so as our population ages and the importance of companion animals is recognised more widely. The judges believe that the study is an excellent practical example of a well-researched design-led approach to an important community issue, and a worthy award recipient. PIA (SA Division) Awards for Planning Excellence 2014 15
Minister s Cutting Edge Award Research and Teaching The Minister s Award is given to the overall winner of the South Australian Awards for Planning Excellence. This Award recognises This Award an is outstanding judged by achievement the South Australian in planning Minister scholarship, for Urban research Development, or teaching. Planning and the City of Adelaide. COMMENDATION Evidence Base for Green Infrastructure Botanic Gardens of South Australia, Renewal SA, Arbordesign, Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board, Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure. This project provides an essential evidence base to rationalise a new and innovative approach to enhancing the liveability and sustainability of urban environments, particularly those that are densifying. The evidence base is an impressive catalogue of existing information resources on Green Infrastructure. It is thoroughly researched, comprehensive and well presented in a web-based format. It is an ideal reference compendium for anyone interested in understanding or finding out more about Green Infrastructure. While the evidence base does not critique or analyse the literature, or consider how it might be applied in planning practice, the study is nonetheless a commendable piece of work 16 PIA (SA Division) Awards for Planning Excellence 2014
Minister s Award The This Award Minister s is given Award to the is overall given winner to the of overall the South winner Australian of the Awards South for Australian Awards for Planning Excellence. Planning Excellence This Award and is is judged by by the the SA South Minister Australian for Planning Minister for Urban Development, Planning and the City of Adelaide. WINNER Prospect Road Village Heart City of Prospect, Jensen Planning + Design, Tonkin Consulting and Brecknock Consulting The revitalisation of our inner suburbs will provide a key driver for much of the Adelaide s growth in coming years. Successful revitalisation requires visionary local Councils, good design thinking, quality public realm, careful stakeholder engagement, robust community support, proactive zoning and close attention to creating the conditions for commercial success. The Prospect Village Heart project embodies all of these elements and is an outstanding example of how a proactive Council, working with a supportive local community, can generate renewal and revitalisation that not only benefits existing residents but also attracts new investment in housing, employment and services. The project is an exemplar of what can be achieved when bold planning initiatives combine with welltargeted public investment to create a place for people instead of just for cars. It stands as testament to the possibilities unleashed under new planning arrangements for the inner-metropolitan area and is already bearing fruit for local businesses in terms of increased patronage of existing businesses, the attraction of new and unique retail offerings and the approval of applications for significant new development. The Prospect Village Heart project is much more than just a masterplan. It is a credit to the imagination and determination of all involved and I look forward to it becoming the standard by which future mainstreet revitalisation and renewal projects are judged. PIA (SA Division) Awards for Planning Excellence 2014 17
President s Award This Award recognises the most outstanding contribution to issues relating to urban and or regional planning in SA. WINNER SPLASH ADELAIDE, Adelaide City Council The Splash Adelaide program partners and co creates with the community to bring streets, spaces and the public realm to life through a series of activations, events and projects. Splash Adelaide takes a lighter, quicker, cheaper approach to trial new ideas and see what works and what is not so successful. Splash Adelaide allows public space stakeholders to quickly implement projects for a trial period to test activation ideas and projects. Launched in 2011 by the Adelaide City Council with the support of the State Government, the program uses place making and co-creation tools to create places for people in the CBD. Using a model where the elected Council delegates authority for project selection wholly to Council staff this process allows projects to be quickly selected, designed and implemented. The short-term nature of Splash Adelaide projects means that trials are easy to roll out and assess for success in a relatively low risk manner. Splash Adelaide has contributed to the well documented vibrancy of the Adelaide CBD and it is a worthy winner of this year s President s Award. 18 PIA (SA Division) Awards for Planning Excellence 2014
Outstanding Student Project Award - Tertiary This Award recognises outstanding planning work by a tertiary student. COMMENDATION Public Art, Place-making and Social Capital: An Adelaide Case Study Serena Somers The role of public art in urban areas, once limited to decorative and commemorative, is now regarded as an important tool for enhancing urban vitality. It is generally thought that public art assists in fostering enhanced sense of place and encouraging greater social interaction amongst those who come into contact with it. Public art has been widely embraced by policy-makers looking to attract people back to the streets and thereby facilitate more stimulating and pleasant urban environments. However, despite widespread acceptance of Public Art as a means of assisting in these goals the case for public art as a vital contributor to urban vibrancy suffers from a lack of empirical research into the success with which public art achieves its objectives. The project aims to shed more light on these issues through a case study of public arts works within the City of Adelaide, South Australia. The judges felt this was an exciting concept to be investigated and that the project recognises the multidirectional relationship between place making and public art, while noting there are also intangible contributions that public artworks can make to place. PIA (SA Division) Awards for Planning Excellence 2014 19
2014 Awards for Planning Excellence - Overview overview Young Planner of the Year Award Winner: Olivia Franco (AECOM) Best Planning Ideas Award - Large Winner: City of Playford, District Council of Mallala, Jensen Planning + Design, Econsearch, Scholefield Robinson Horticultural Services, Avante Mapping Solutions, Wallbridge & Gilbert, Regional Development Australia Barossa, Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia, Hortex Alliance Inc, Adelaide & Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resource Management Board. Best Planning Ideas Award - Large Commendation: Adelaide Hills Council, Alexandrina Council, The Barossa Council, District Council of Mount Barker, City of Onkaparinga, District Council of Yankalilla, Regional Development Australia Barossa, Global Food Studies Program, University of Adelaide. Best Planning Ideas Award - Small Commendation: District Council of Mallala, University of South Australia, URS Australia Pty Ltd. From Plan to Place Award Winner: City of Prospect, Jensen Planning + Design, Tonkin Consulting, Brecknock Consulting. Public Engagement and Community Planning Award Winner: Renewal SA, Urban and Regional Planning Solution, Natalie Fuller and Associates, ASPECT Studios, Playce Pty Ltd. Improving Planning Processes and Practices Award Commendation: City of Tea Tree Gully. Cutting Edge Research and Teaching Winner: Balancing Act Adelaide. Cutting Edge Research and Teaching Commendation: Botanic Gardens of South Australia, Renewal SA, Arbordesign, Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board, Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure. Minister s Award Winner: City of Prospect, Jensen Planning + Design, Tonkin Consulting and Brecknock Consulting. President s Award Winner: Splash Adelaide, Adelaide City Council. Outstanding Student Project Award - Tertiary Commendation: Serena Somers 20 PIA (SA Division) Awards for Planning Excellence 2014
2014 Planning Excellence Awards - Nominees Nominees - ALL Categories Project Name: A Sustainable Region for a Healthy Community - Barossa, Light and Lower Northern Region Public Health and Wellbeing Plan Project team: District Council of Mallala, The Barossa Council, Town of Gawler, Light Regional Council, Regional Development Australia Barossa, Healthy Environs Pty Ltd Project Name: Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Managmenet Plan Project team: Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board Project Name: Battunga Park Project team: District Council of Mount Barker Project Name: Building Adaptive Capacity in Adelaide s Food Bowl Project team: Jensen Planning + Design in association with Natrallogic, Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board and Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources Project Name: Charles Sturt Residential Streetscape Character Study Project team: Jensen Planning + Design in association with Avante Mapping Solutions and City of Charles Sturt Project Name: Flagship Urban Design, Place Making and the Fickle Hand of Political Cycles: A Case Study of the Rundle Convergence Project Project author: Ebony Cetinich Project Name: Food From Farmers Project author: Michael Wohlstadt CPP GDURP Project Name: Kangaroo Island Unlocking Opportunities Project team: Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure Project Name: Mount Barker, Littlehampton and Nairne Strategic Infrastructure Plan Project team: District Council of Mount Barker Project Name: Moving Minds - It s time to get on the bus! Project team: Jensen Planning + Design Project Name: Open Space Recreation and Public Realm Strategy Project team: District Council of Mount Barker Project Name: Playford Alive Town Life Living Project team: Renewal SA and Rivergum Homes Project Name: Urban Oasis, An Integrated Water Shelter and City-Scape Beacon Project team: Victoria Masterman and Lauren Heritage-Brand PIA (SA Division) Awards for Planning Excellence 2014 21
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