Victoria's Top Planning Projects For 2015

The 2015 Victorian Awards for Planning Excellence have been announced, shining the limelight on projects in regional Victoria.

Australian tourism business TRC Tourism has taken out the award for best planning ideas (large project) for its ‘Trail planning toolkit’ designed to deliver exceptional recreational trail experiences. Initially designed for Barwon South-West Region, the guidelines readily transfer to all regions for use by government agencies, communities and investors.

A 12-year rezoning process of 125 hectares of Maiden Gully land on Bendigo’s edge, to make way for a new community, gave Birchgrove Property the Hard Won Victory Award. The process has delivered $6 million developer funding for community infrastructure and a 20 per cent internal open space contribution.

Damien Kennedy won Planner of the Year. Kennedy held a key role in Victoria’s complex ‘regional growth plans’ as part of a Victorian state government team. Andrew Bishop won Young Planner of the Year for his work with Wyndham City Council and Victorian Young Planners.

In the metropolitan area, Rush Wright’s Dandenong Civic Centre (feature image above) won the Great Place Award and Brimbank’s Transforming the Public Realm took the From Place to Plan Award creating a municipality of walking and cycling networks.

Intensifying Melbourne by Professor Kim Dovey and Ian Woodcock, a report quantifying issues and principals raised by urban planners for years, took the Cutting Edge Research & Technology Award.

City of Melbourne was awarded the Public Engagement & Community Planning Award for Creating a City within a Forest.

 The project gives community access to contribute and access individual data of the city’s 70,000 trees.

Victorian President of the Planning Institute of Australia, James Larmour-Reid said the Awards for Planning Excellence were an opportunity to take stock of what the planning profession has to offer.

“(The) winners and commendations represent a vast array of Victoria best planning projects and talented planners. The achievement represents reward for efforts, a vindication for commitment and motivation for continuous improvement,” Mr Larmour-Reid said.  
Winners and Commendations Categories:
The Hard Won Victory:

Award: Birchgrove Property for Amendment C190 244 Edwards Road, Maiden Gully
Commendation: Planisphere for Protection of the Yarra River Corridor.

Best Planning Ideas – Large Project:

Award: TRC Tourism for Guidelines for Trail planning, design and management
Commendation: City of Greater Geelong for Application of the reformed residential zones
Commendation: Context for Ngootyoong Gunditj Mirring Traditional owners Corporation

Best Planning Ideas – Small Project:
Award: City of Greater Bendigo for Hospital Precinct Structure Plan (pictured below)

Planner of the Year:

Damien Kennedy

Young Planner of the Year:

Andrew Bishop

From Place to Plan:

Award: Brimbank City Council for Transforming the Public Realm.

Great Place:

Award: Rush Wright Associates for Dandenong Civic Centre

Cutting Edge Research and Technology:

Award: Professor Kim Dovey and Mr Ian Woodcock, University of Melbourne for Intensifying Melbourne.
Commendation: Dr Roman Trubka, Dr Stephen Glackin, Phil Delaney, Tuan Ngo and Jack for Barton for Envision Scenario Planner, Greening the Greyfields.

Improving Planning Processes & Practices:

Award: Metropolitan Planning Authority for Casey Clyde Integrated Water Management

Public Engagement & Community Planning:

Award: City of Melbourne for Creating a City within a Forest (pictured below)

Commendation: City of Greater Dandenong for Housing Strategy 2014 - 2024

Outstanding Tertiary Student Project

Award: RMIT students for Collaborate Practice in Victorian Local Government

President’s Award: 

Leanne Hodyl for Churchill Fellowship

Members’ Choice:

Award: Tract Consultants for Rethinking the Strip