Students from Griffith University have dominated the prestigious Minister’s Planning Awards which gives emerging planners an opportunity to address real planning challenges.
Deputy Premier and Planning Minister Steven Miles congratulated the students on their entries and in particular the high quality of research demonstrated.
“While Griffith University has taken out two of the three categories for the Minister’s Planning Awards this year, we have seen a wonderful diversity of entries from across the state,” Mr Miles said.
“We have had university papers on modern planning solutions in the areas of essential services and affordable housing, regional urban renewal and mine rehabilitation for Indigenous communities to ideas around digital engagement.
“Today’s students will soon enter the workforce and join the planning industry, where they will play an integral part in delivering liveable, inclusive, sustainable and resilient communities for Queenslanders.
“The awards are a great opportunity for students to showcase their knowledge and skills among the planning industry.”
The winners for each of the categories in the 2021 Minister’s Planning Awards are:
- James Cook University student Sarah Gibson, winner for best Thesis or research project
- University of Queensland student Emma Gurney, winner for the best set topic on ‘conversations about growth and change’
- Griffith University student Aidan Johnston, winner for best set topic on ‘Advancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge, culture and tradition’
- Griffith University student Ruby Stockham, winner for most promising Female Student in Planning.
Mr Miles said the planning profession plays a valued role in setting strong foundations for well-planned communities.
“Our state is currently experiencing rapid population growth, so we’re keen to encourage our emerging planners to turn their minds to thinking about planning solutions for managing growth and change,” Mr Miles said.
“The awards also encourage students to apply their learning to how they would engage with the relevant peoples to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander interests are represented in land-use planning.”
Member for Keppel and former Queensland Young Planner of the Year, Brittany Lauga, said the awards were a great initiative to champion the planning profession and foster new talent.
“Congratulations to all the winners. These awards are a practical way the Queensland Government can support emerging planners and help them on their paths to a career in planning,” Ms Lauga said.
“Thoughtful and effective planning is about delivering long-term strategic visions for communities, and to do that we need to ensure that our planning profession represents the needs and interests of the communities we plan for.
“The awards not only recognise and acknowledge outstanding planning talent, but also give the recipients the opportunity to immerse themselves in the state’s planning group through an internship.
“The recipients will be able to build their understanding of Queensland’s planning framework and learn how they can play a role in shaping the state for future generations, benefiting everyone.”
Other awards on the night included:
Strategic Planning Project. Winner: Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning for the North Queensland Regional Plan.
Hall of Fame. Winner: Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning for 2005 South East Queensland Regional Plan.
The awards, previously known as the Minister’s Town Planning Awards, have been presented since 1989.
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