Sunshine Coast planning recognised at Planning Excellence Awards
Sunshine Coast Council’s commitment to great planning has been recognised at the prestigious Planning Excellence Awards.
Council has taken out the Public Engagement and Community Planning Award for the Sunshine Coast Community Strategy – Building a Stronger Community Together and received a commendation for Improving Planning Processes and Practices for the Environment and Liveability Strategy.
Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) Queensland President Wendy Evans congratulated the Council and said the Awards judges were impressed by Council’s commitment to the community and to the application of best practice planning principles and processes.
“Sunshine Coast Council’s planning embeds liveability and sustainability as fundamental for the future and reflects a deep understanding of the community’s needs and aspirations,” Ms Evans said.
“PIA is pleased to recognise the Council’s outstanding planning with this Planning Excellence Award and commendation,” she said.
Sunshine Coast Community Portfolio Councillor David Law said the Sunshine Coast Community Strategy 2019-41 was a 20-year blueprint for growing a connected, healthy and vibrant Sunshine Coast.
“The Sunshine Coast Community Strategy 2019-41 provides a platform for how council, the community and other tiers of government will work together to enable the region to become a fairer place with more opportunities for all,” Cr Law said.
“Council worked with many community organisations, mums and dads, young people, service providers, local business owners and council staff to develop this strategy because we wanted to make sure the community is a clear beneficiary as our region grows.
“The strategy is based on strong social justice principles – equity of access, the efficacy of human dignity and a level playing field - so everyone can benefit as the region continues to grow and change.
“As the Sunshine Coast grows to over 500,000 people and the resourcing available to the human services sector becomes increasingly constrained and competitive, our council has recognised that more needs to be done in a holistic sense and with a focus on newly emerging challenges and opportunities.
“Our community strategy provides an effective blueprint and policy levers to bring the key stakeholders together and ensure there is a common platform and community-oriented agenda that we are working from.”
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
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Media Contacts:
Wendy Evans, President – Planning Institute of Australia, 0407 143 996
Matt Collins, State Manager – Planning Institute of Australia, 0437 938 077