PIA calls on planners to promote success stories

The Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) is encouraging people and organisations involved in planning to enter the 2015 Awards for Planning Excellence, with nominations opening this Thursday (May 28).

PIA CEO Kirsty Kelly says the Awards are a chance for organisations involved in planning – including government departments, local councils, community groups and students – to be publicly recognised for their achievements, and to showcase leading practice across a range of planning disciplines and sectors.

“Participating in the Awards is an opportunity for organisations to share achievements and celebrate the value planning brings to our communities,” Ms Kelly said.

“Promoting planning success stories is a great way to show why planning matters – we are shaping the world today for tomorrow.”

Previous award winners have highlighted the diversity of planning excellence across Australia and the contribution it makes to sustainable outcomes, from grass roots community initiatives to state-wide policies and major infrastructure projects.

“Our categories celebrate the holistic nature of planning and seek to recognise emerging planning talent,” Ms Kelly said.

“Leadership in planning, particularly in the face of adversity, is also acknowledged and applauded.”

In most Award categories, entry is open to both PIA members and other organisations engaged in planning practice. Entries may be self-nominated, nominated by an employer/client or by a PIA member.

Award categories include Best Planning Idea, Improving Planning Processes and Practices, Promotion of Planning, From Plan to Place, and Hard Won Victory. Ms Kelly says planning professionals should also consider nominating themselves or a colleague in the Planner of the Year or Young Planner of the Year categories.

“These awards recognise outstanding individual achievement and leadership by planning professionals and enable planners to demonstrate their commitment to advancing the profession,” she said.

As a national program, the Awards commence at the state and territory level seeking out the best of planning in each jurisdiction. Following judgement and recognition at a state or territory Awards ceremony, the best from each state and territory are judged at a national level, culminating in the National Awards for Planning Excellence ceremony in 2016.

Nominations for the 2015 PIA Awards for Planning Excellence open on Thursday 28 May 2015. For more information about entering the Awards, contact the PIA office in your state or territory or visit www.planning.org.au.
PIA CEO Kirsty Kelly