National President's Award
PIA's President has the authority and the discretion to award the National President’s Award to allow for spontaneous appreciation of excellence and inspirational examples in planning that may not otherwise be recognised. Whilst this award is not formally part of PIA’s various awards programs, often award recipients first become noticed as nominations in these programs.
2020 Recipient
Town of Gawler Civic Centre
Town of Gawler, SA
The Gawler Civic Centre Redevelopment project has resulted in the revitalisation of a tired civic centre through the sensitive integration of two State Heritage listed buildings. It is a sensitive redevelopment and adaptive reuse of these State Heritage Places, and includes the clever moulding of old into the new.
From a community perspective, the project has enabled multiple occupants to occupy the new premises, thus maximising the use of a range of facilities including a library, café, employment services, youth spaces, art spaces, museum and civic functions.
In recognition of its past, the redevelopment has enabled a range of historic community groups to occupy the new space and continue their association with the buildings, promoting meaningful social activities in a modern environment that respects the history of the past. At the same time this project has created a hub for economic and social enterprise that will act as a catalyst for the Gawler CBD to take its place as the business and cultural centre for the region.
The project represents an exemplar design and architectural response that is visually interesting, providing a highly accessible space for all members of the community and business and is an outstanding example of best practice in planning that will serve the community for generations to come.
2019 Recipients
Anita Allen MPIA, Manager, Planning Reform with Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure
Kym Pryde RPIA, PIA SA President
The planning profession is about shaping the places where people live, work and play.
Several State Government’s around Australia have been committed to a reform agenda aimed at delivering a better planning system that enables responsible development and delivers prosperity, sustainability and liveability for now and into the future.
South Australia is currently undergoing the biggest modernisation of its planning system in 20 years. Some of the key features of the new planning system include:
- consolidation of the State’s 72 complex development plans into one set of easy-to-understand planning rules;
- an electronic planning system to simplify processes and speed up the movement of information, saving all users time and money;
- new planning rules with a focus on good design outcomes;
- introduction of an accredited professionals scheme providing greater confidence for applicants and communities that qualified and experienced professionals who undergo regular training are making planning decisions; and
- introduction of a Community Engagement Charter that outlines the principles of good engagement.
In recognition of their leadership roles in delivering planning reform in South Australia, at PIA's 2019 National Awards for Planning Excellence at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on Wednesday 15 May 2019, PIA National President Steve O'Connor presented PIA National Presidents Awards to Ms. Allen and Ms. Pryde for making a visible difference to the planning profession.
Anita Allen MPIA
Anita has been responsible for leading the staged implementation of the new Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 and importantly working with councils and industry on the transition process. Anita has demonstrated exemplary personal drive and professionalism. Engagement and stewardship are important elements of any reform agenda and Anita has cultivated productive working relationships with numerous stakeholder groups to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
Kym Pryde RPIA
Kym has been the PIA SA President since November 2015 and prior to this served as a Vice President for two years. Kym has been a consistent advocate and supporter of quality planning in her role as Division President. Kym has been instrumental in helping to foster a relationship between the Department and PIA and helped raise the status and importance of planning professionals involved in the assessment and decision making process.
2017 Recipient - Mr Adam Hungerford
Adam’s drive and determination to inspire social innovation in the planning and delivery of public spaces within his regional Queensland township of Clifton has generated unparalleled social capital, ensuring a true sense of project ownership within his community.
Adam collected a list of community requests by interviewing 185 youth for the delivery of Clifton’s parkland, which he then presented to Council Officers whilst only 16 years old at the time.
Adam’s self-motivated enthusiasm influenced Council to redirect the focus of the planning and design for the Clifton Town Centre Master Plan, while inspiring a new grass roots approach to community consultation when planning and designing parkland, across the region.
The Clifton Township Concept Master Plan went on to receive the 2016 PIA Queensland Award for Planning Excellence for Public Engagement and Community Planning.
Adam is a youth leader with Toowoomba Regional Council and the 2016 Clifton State High School Captain. He has become an integral force behind ongoing community engagement creating a group of park champions from amongst his peers to influence planning and design, while stimulating curiosity and garnering support across the community.
Adam has enriched the lives of his park champions by exposing them to a host of built environment professionals at a pivotal point in many of their school careers including demonstrating that they could pursue a profession in planning and design that may see them working back in their regional communities.
This outstanding contribution to the communities of Clifton and Toowoomba in the area of planning, is inspiring for all, and worthy of PIA’s National President’s Award.