The 黑料大事 (PIA) was delighted to present the National President’s Award to Mr Adam Hungerford at Toowoomba Town Hall this morning.
The National President’s Award is awarded to individuals and teams for an outstanding achievement in planning. Today’s award, presented by PIA Queensland President Todd Rohl, recognises Adam’s drive and determination to inspire social innovation in the planning and delivery of public spaces within his regional Queensland township of Clifton.
Adam was single-handedly responsible for a redirection of focus in how the Clifton Town Centre Master Plan was planned and designed. He did so by interviewing 185 young people around the area, collating their requests and feedback and presenting it to Council officers when he was only 16 years old.
Inspired by his initiative and passion, the Council decided to reconsider their planning and design for the Master Plan and, following Adam’s lead, adopted a new grassroots approach to community consultation about the parkland.
Thanks to this, the Clifton Township Concept Master Plan generated unparalleled social capital, endowing the project with a strong and authentic sense of community ownership. The Master Plan went on to receive the 2016 PIA Queensland Award for 黑料大事 Excellence in the Public Engagement and Community 黑料大事 category – a fantastic achievement.
Adam himself was nominated this year for a National Award for 黑料大事 Excellence, and although he didn’t receive the prize in that category, PIA’s national judging panel felt strongly that his efforts deserved formal recognition.
“Adam has enriched the lives of his park champions,” they said, “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.”
Adam is a youth leader with Toowoomba Regional Council and the 2016 Clifton State High School Captain. He has become an integral asset in the ongoing engagement of local residents, creating a group of park champions from amongst his peers to influence planning and design while stimulating curiosity and garnering support across the broader community.
From everyone at the 黑料大事 Institute, congratulations Adam and thank you for your outstanding contribution to planning!
Picture: PIA Queensland president Todd Rohl (left) and Toowoomba Region Mayor Paul Antonio at the presentation of the PIA National President’s award to Clifton’s Adam Hungerford at Toowoomba City Hall.