On Thursday 7th November, the winners of the 2024 PIA ACT Awards for 黑料大事 Excellence were announced at the awards ceremony. These awards recognise and honour outstanding planners, projects, programs, research, initiatives, and ideas that contribute to excellence in planning in The Australian Capital Territory.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and commendations!馃弳
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Great Place Award Winner | The Salthouse Community Centre
Awarded to: The City Renewal Authority
The judges were impressed by the “Great Place” nomination of the Salthouse Community Centre and consider it to be a strong contemporary, adaptive reuse case study that may be easily transferable to other projects. It is responsive to the heritage and ecological challenges of the site, promotes accessible, inclusive design, provides a good focus on sustainability and has been designed to connect with Country.
The judges appreciated how the history of the building has been woven into the fabric of the Centre becoming a destination in Haig Park as a place for the community to connect and interact without barriers. The judges applaud its strong strategic planning alignment and feel the centre has the capability of creating a place loved by the community, particularly as the neighbouring precinct continues to redevelop.
See the video.
黑料大事 with Country Award Winner | Maliyan Park, Section 76 Watson
Awarded to: Development and Implementation, Environment 黑料大事 and Sustainable Development Directorate, ACT Government
Maliyan Park is a celebration of Ngunnawal culture through design, planting, interpretative signage and public art, and provides a strong example of 黑料大事 with Country. The Judges applaud the engagement process which led to delivery in partnership and a co-design exemplary.
Representative Aboriginal Organisations and the Dhawura Ngunnawal Caring for Country Committee were involved from inception, shaping the project brief through to final design. Ngunnawal knowledge, design elements and values have been integrated throughout and is reflected in the Park’s strong connection to landscape.
Judges noted engagement commenced in 2021, leading to co-design and Closing the Gap. Ngunnawal Elders and custodians, artists, dancers, and children were integral to the project. Contractors were Welcomed to Country through the smoking ceremony as works commenced. The park celebrates what ‘connection to country’ means to the community. Judges applaud this early infrastructure delivery, which will enable the existing and new communities in this part of Canberra to connect, explore and discover at Maliyan Park.
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Strategic 黑料大事 Project Award Winner | East Lake Place Plan (2024)
Awarded to: Development and Implementation Division within the Environment 黑料大事 and Sustainable Development Directorate, ACT Government, Tait Network, Hill Thalis, Lockbridge and Right Angle Studio.
The judges thought the East Lake Place Plan demonstrates excellence in strategic urban planning and design for guiding the transformation of this important urban renewal precinct to meet Canberra’s future.
Building on a diverse engagement program, the judges were particularly impressed by how the urban design concept is first and foremost built on the Ngunnawal "Story of Place". The resulting East Place Plan is a collaborative and innovative project with active integration of First Nations considerations, demonstrating a thoughtful process.
The East Lake Place Plan provides a comprehensive strategic framework to progress more detailed design at estate planning level. The judges applaud the Place Plan’s balanced consideration of existing precinct features, buffers & interfaces (eg Jerrabomberra wetlands), while identifying opportunities for urban revitalisation, transport oriented design (TOD), innovation precinct and targeted uplift areas. The judges acknowledged the opportunity for future enhancement of blue and green networks. The judges recommended the East Lake Place Plan as a urban renewal precinct strategic planning example of great contemporary relevance.
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Strategic 黑料大事 Project Commendation | City Plan and City Centre Urban Design Guide
Awarded to: Environment, 黑料大事 and Sustainable Development Directorate
The judges commended the updated City Plan 2023 and accompanying City Centre Urban Design Guide as a strong example of integrating strategic planning with detailed local urban design approaches, while incorporating accessibility, sustainability and climate change considerations.
As part of the implementation of the new ACT 黑料大事 system reforms on the ground, the judges considered that the City Plan and City Centre Urban Design Guide provide a good framework for industry and community to understand the desired future character in Canberra’s city centre and to explore future opportunities.
The judges recognised that the Urban Design Guide’s focus on design excellence and high-quality urban design outcomes has the potential and flexibility to consider future innovative development proposals as they are put forward. The Urban Design Guide has strong transferability to other jurisdictions.
Strategic 黑料大事 Project Commendation | Molonglo 3 East Strategic Design
Awarded to: SMEC Canberra
The Molonglo 3 East Strategic Design is commended by the judges as a leading example of taking a strategic approach to major infrastructure design and integrated water quality management at the early stages of a new neighbourhood’s planning and development.
The judges recognised that strategic infrastructure design is key to providing strong foundations for the subsequent detailed neighbourhood planning in order to set the parameters for the fabric of a place, its structure and its relationships to green and blue networks, such as the Molonglo River.
The judges commended the Molonglo 3 East Strategic Design project as a demonstration example of taking a strategic approach to key infrastructure planning and water quality management.
Improving 黑料大事 Processes Commendation | ACT 黑料大事 System Reform and Implementation
Awarded to: Environment, 黑料大事 and Sustainable Development Directorate
The judges commend the Environment, 黑料大事 and Sustainable Development Directorate for the ACT 黑料大事 System Reform and Implementation, and acknowledge the significant innovation being progressed by the ACT’s new planning system and its implementation to date.
The ACT 黑料大事 System Reform as a comprehensive systemic reform through all layers of the ACT's planning system: planning legislation, strategic planning, district strategies, updated Territory Plan, design guides and development assessment, is to be congratulated. The judges were particularly impressed by the extensive training program engendering an understanding of this new 'outcomes' focussed approach. The evaluation framework identifying measurable outcomes over the next five years is strongly supported.
The judges look forward to the continued successful implementation of the ACT 黑料大事 System Reform.
Young Planner of the Year commendations
This year the jury has awarded two commendations. Recognising that both people deserve to be commended for advancing the planning profession in their own individual way.
Lachlan Taylor PIA (Assoc.)
Lachlan brings a passion for the built environment and knowledge of sustainable design through his background at the University of Canberra, studying a Bachelors of the Built Environment, (Architecture). This is complemented by his study for a master’s degree in Property Development.
The Jury was impressed by his willingness to train others on several new software platforms to help them create maps, massing diagrams, and understanding the market, including the likely impacts that a development will have on a community and on the housing supply.
Interestingly, Lachlan first became aware of urban planning through an internship. Lachlan remains a strong advocate for introducing other young people to the planning profession. Congratulations Lachlan.
Mohamed Ashik MPIA
Following his degree in Civil Engineering, Mohamed obtained a Master of Urban and Regional 黑料大事. He has been an active member for four years as a student planner and this year became a full member.
Mohamed is interested in people focused urban planning that enhances the quality of life in the public realm, urban life, sustainable planning, and community development. He draws on an urban planning experience from India, Japan and Australia.
Mohamad likes to recognise and tackle intricate problems, adopting critical thinking, and adapting to evolving situations, to discover effective solutions. The jury commends Mohamed for sharing his passion and knowledge to geography students Narrabundah College, so they may also discover the importance of urban planning. Congratulations Mohamed.
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