Planners Help Make Cities Work

The Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) has accepted an invitation to play a ‘Champion’ role in a
campaign designed to get a better deal for Australian cities.

The Make My City Work campaign launched by the Property Council of Australia (PCA) at the
National Press Club this week will urge all three levels of government to commit to making
Australian cities more productive and liveable.

PIA President Dyan Currie said professional planners are proud to be a part of the new
campaign designed to mobilise the community to help affect positive change in the planning and
development of cities.

“One of the major cornerstones of good planning is proper community consultation and
engagement,” Ms Currie said.

“The Make My City Work campaign can do this admirably offering an online opportunity for
everyday people, corporations, community groups and organisations to have their say about
what can be done to improve their city.”

Launching the campaign, the PCA released the results of a survey that showed four out of five
Australians want the Federal Government to take a more interventionist role in making our cities
more productive and liveable.

Results of a survey of more than five thousand city dwellers also shows overwhelming support
for more Federal funding for city infrastructure, and for new Federal incentives to achieve better
planning and streamlined development assessment at state and local levels.

Ms Currie said while the Federal Government has already taken positive initiatives with
Australian cities, it’s important to have public debate.

“Last November for instance the Federal Government launched the Urban Design Protocol for
Australian cities and towns – Creating Places for People.

“That initiative came after two years of cooperation and collaboration between governments,
industry and the community and is seen as a significant move forward in the recognition of the
role of urban design in the creation of better cities.

“But this new campaign is not confined to Urban Design, rather it’s an open forum for city
dwellers to make suggestions, criticism and contributions of all nature to encourage all levels of
government to improve cities.”

The new campaign hopes to have a ‘new deal’ for Australian cities by achieving a number of
things.

These include a clear and effective role for Council of Australian Governments (COAG) and the
Federal Government in cities policy and a clear commitment from the Federal Government to
recapitalising the Building Australia Fund to invest in the major infrastructure our cities need.

“Modern planning is moving rapidly and is not just about the placement of cars and concrete.
Never before has there been so much thought given to social planning and how good planning
can address the human needs in a community.

“Planners at all levels have one voice with PIA. Now, like any member of the community,
planners can speak individually through Make My City Work.”
PIA President Dyan Currie