About Us
QLD WiPN Co-Convenors - Katherine Matthews MPIA and Laura Harvey PIA (Assoc.)
The PIA Queensland Women in Planning Network (QLD WiPN) is a sub-committee of the QLD Planning Institute of Australia. We work in conjunction with the PIA QLD State Committee to achieve our two main goals:
to inspire and support women in planning; and
to advocate for, and contribute to, equitable, safe and fair cities and regions for women.
The role of the QLD WiPN is to ensure the achievement of the purpose, through:
Identifying opportunities to support women in the profession, including recognising and highlighting the achievements of PIA female members and Fellows, Life Fellows and Honorary Fellows.
Advocating for flexible approaches to employment, PIA membership and the delivery of member services, including events, education and professional development activities reflecting the changing needs of all planners with caring responsibilities.
Advocating for the needs of women in planning generally.
Encouraging research and identifying specific CPD presenters, venues and events and other professional development and member activities which are targeted to the objectives.
Providing information and advice to the Division Committee as required.
Throughout the year, we provide opportunities and encourage all PIA members, regardless of gender, to engage in our networking and professional development events, both in person and virtually.
QLD Outstanding Woman in Planning Award
The Queensland Women in Planning Network, under the auspices of PIA, presents an annual ‘Outstanding Woman in Planning’ award,
The award, which is separate from the overall PIA Awards, provides an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the important contribution that women planners make to planning as a profession and to the outcomes of planning work in Queensland.
A Guide to Navigating Career Breaks - You Are Not Alone
The PIA QLD Women in Planning Network recognise that all planners take career breaks from time to time, most commonly for parental leave, but also for other reasons. Regardless of the scenario, returning to work after a long break can be daunting and lonely. We have prepared this guide to provide support to planners, both employers and employees, returning to work after an extended break. This guide aims to provide a resource where planners can go to easily source key links and resources, as well as support organisations to develop policy positions which assist to provide the opportunity for all planners to take extended leave.
Inspiring Women Series
Through a series of events, a research agenda, and a professional development program, the QLD PIA Women in Planning network will be aiming to support the participation of women in the planning profession and to advocate for equitable cities and regions.
We are very proud to launch the Inspiring Women in Planning video series. These videos have been created to provide an insight into the careers and achievements of just some of the many talented women who work in our industry and highlight the contribution women make to our profession.
We hope that they are as inspiring to you as they are to us.
Proudly supported by Urbis
Click to view a video:
Get Involved
In 2020 the QLD WiPN launched our LinkedIn group. This group helps the QLD WiPN to notify its community of upcoming events, share relevant research and policy updates and provide a space for those who are interested in what we do to share information and make professional connections.
To keep up to date with the QLD WiPN on .
Please contact any of the committee members above if you have any questions or ideas to share. If you have any ideas to progress women in planning or would like to host and/or sponsor a Women in Planning event, please email qld@planning.org.au