FNQ planning recognised at Planning Excellence Awards
Planning for the economic future of communities in Cape York, Torres Strait and the Gulf region in Far North Queensland, as well as a university student who developed new ways to recognise Indigenous peoples’ knowledge and culture, have each received prestigious Queensland Planning Awards for Excellence.
James Cook University student Jesse Marnock – a proud Indigenous planner from Cairns – received the Outstanding Student Project (University) Award for his thesis which developed a conceptual framework using the analogy of a tree’s seed, trunk, and fruits to better recognise Indigenous knowledge and culture in land-use planning.
And the Torres Cape Indigenous Council Alliance (TCICA) and Arup Australia were awarded the Best Planning Ideas (Large Project) Award for the Cape, Torres and Gulf Economic Opportunities Plan. The Plan defines projects and key initiatives to drive economic growth in the region, with a focus on providing sustainable economic development opportunities and economic resilience for Cape, Torres and Gulf communities.
Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) Queensland President Wendy Evans said these two projects were a reminder of how planning can and should, recognise and support Indigenous knowledge systems and aspirations.
“Great planning should acknowledge and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ approaches to land use planning and management as integral to their way of living and customs, and these two projects do just that,” Ms Evans said.
Melinda Eades, TCICA Executive Officer said receiving the award recognises the important role the Far North’s Indigenous communities play in planning for the economic future of the region.
“The Cape, Torres and Gulf Opportunities Plan recognises the need for community-led planning and development that has the social, economic and cultural wellbeing of Indigenous peoples at its core. Arup truly understood this and that is why I am pleased to be sharing this award with them,” said Ms Eades.
Michelle Cottrell, Arup’s Australasian City Planning Skills Leader said the project’s success is a testament to the close partnership formed between Arup and TCICA and the commitment of the 14 councils who worked together to actively support their communities.
“Our goal was to deliver a plan that was both bold and implementable and I am proud to say projects identified in the plan such as the food production hubs initiative and regional tourism effort are well underway.” said Ms Cottrell.
Award recipient Jesse Marnock said he was honoured to be recognised for his work advancing Indigenous livelihoods.
“Whilst I am honoured to receive this recognition, I also believe it is critical for planning to continue changing to support and respect the knowledges and experiences of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities,” Mr Marnock said.
“My work has tried to capture the complexity of Indigenous knowledges and their livelihoods to help build wider understanding across societies,” he said.
“I hope this work can spark a flame, and that we see the change we all need around Australia,” he said.
FNQ planning was further recognised with a commendation in the Cutting Edge Research and Teaching category for the Tropical Urbanism and Design Lab (TUDLab) at James Cook University (with CA Architects, LA3 Landscape Architecture and TPG Architects) for their project, Tropical Design Studio: Strategic Concept Masterplans for Northern Queensland Country Towns.
“We are absolutely delighted for the Cairns-based TUDLab to be recognised for the work we have been doing for the past five years. We have developed an important process that allows us to work inter-disciplinarily and across the usual silos, giving JCU Planning students Australian best practice in work integrated learning,” said Associate Professor Lisa Law, Chair, Tropical Urbanism and Design Lab.
“There is something particularly rewarding about giving students a grounding in urban design, the challenging but important work of community consultation and how to come up with solutions that result in regionally responsive outcomes for everyone. This commendation is an acknowledgement of the importance to create a more responsive approach to planning and design for the Tropics,” said Associate Professor Law.
The awards follow last month’s announcement of Cairns-based planner, Nikki Huddy, as the 2020 Australian Planner of the Year.
The Planning Institute of Australia is the national body representing the planning profession. Through education, communication and professional development, PIA is the pivotal organisation serving and guiding thousands of planning professionals in their role to create better communities.
PIA acknowledges our Principal Awards Sponsor, Queensland Government, and Silver Awards Sponsor, Brisbane City Council.
More information on the PIA Awards for Planning Excellence can be found at: /awards/qld
-ENDS-
Media Contacts:
Wendy Evans, President – Planning Institute of Australia, 0407 143 996
Michelle Cottrell, Australasian City Planning Skills Leader – Arup, 0435 377 203
Melinda Eades, Executive Officer - Torres Cape Indigenous Council Alliance, 0436 819 001
Jesse Marnock, 0431 051 939
- Associate Professor Lisa Law, Chair, Tropical Urbanism and Design Lab, 0408-691668