Planner Spotlight

Sandy Vigar RPIA (Life Fellow)

Retired Planner and first female PIA National President

 Prefer to pop your headphones in?

Check out the video interview with Sandy below. Alternatively, scroll on to read her insights.

What first drew you to planning?

I first became aware of planning as a profession through a UQ Open Day, in 1975, when I was in Year 12 and considering where to apply for uni. 

Professor Lewis Keeble, head of the planning school, was talking to groups of students and told us that planners can change the world. The idea was very appealing to me as a 16 year old. His view that,  if you want to do something that will make a difference, planning is where you should be looking,  really struck a chord with me.  It still does! 

Is there a project or moment you’re particularly proud of?

They are many and varied!  What they all have in common is that the community or outcome is better off than it would have been without planning. 
 
I get great satisfaction from working with clients and communities to help them agree and clearly articulate planning objectives, and to translate these into clear, straightforward, simple planning documents that positively assist in achieving the stated objectives.

Looking back over PIA’s 75 years, what do you think has been the institute’s biggest impact?

• Raising awareness of planning and what planning is
• Connecting with the policy-makers at all levels and participating in the discussion and direction of future policy
• Widening the discussion, and providing a balanced, intelligent and knowledgeable position on planning matters
• Encouraging and involving a broad involvement in planning issues – including and respecting the community and a wide range of stakeholders and issues

Looking back over PIA’s 75 years, what do you think has been the institute’s biggest impact?

• Raising awareness of planning and what planning is
• Connecting with the policy-makers at all levels and participating in the discussion and direction of future policy
• Widening the discussion, and providing a balanced, intelligent and knowledgeable position on planning matters
• Encouraging and involving a broad involvement in planning issues – including and respecting the community and a wide range of stakeholders and issues 

What advice would you give someone considering a career in planning?

There are so many areas in which the skills that planners have can make a real, positive and fulfilling contribution.  If an opportunity arises it, take it and make the opportunities for yourself.  Learn from the best and really understand the legislation and planning documents that affect your area of interest.  Strive to become the most knowledgeable, the most thoughtful, the most enthusiastic. Be interested in the planning, not just the planning system and requirements.

What did it mean to you to take on your role within PIA?

I’ve been involved with the Planning Institute for 50 years – since my first year as a student in 1976.  My roles have been many and varied. I’ve organised conferences, seminars and discussions; helped establish the first Planning Awards; worked towards widening the profession to make environment and community central and mainstream in planning; been part of the first Women in Planning groups and sought to encourage women in planning.

It is still surprising to me that it took until the mid1990s for a woman to become national president of the Planning Institute.  During my time as President, I sought to help the Institute to form its direction and structure as a truly national, inclusive and focused organisation for planners (rather than a collection of disparate divisions).

As part of this, I

• promoted the renaming of RAPI to PIA (removing Royal from the name),
• introduced representative positions for Young Planners at the national level,
• supported the establishment of the national base in Canberra (moving from Melbourne) and the making of the connections to policy-makers at all levels of government,
• promoted international connections with NZPI, API and CAP
• sought to widen the areas of interest of planning to specifically include environment, social and community
• encouraged divisions to work together on various matters, building on local strengths and interests and adding national support to divisional submissions where relevant or useful

What excites you about the future of planning?

I love the diversity of planners today and of the planning profession.  Our profession today looks a lot more like the community we serve! There are so many areas in which planners are now involved.  I love the variety and the opportunity to make a difference.  In so many ways.  From drafting documents, to being inclusive, to creating strategic visions!  All are really important.
 
The legacy of planning should be that our communities are better off for having planning.  That we have changed their future for the better.  That is our challenge – and our joy. 

In four words, what do you think makes a great planner?

 (Sandy simply couldn't get it down to three. Given she's celebrating 50 years as a PIA member this year, we figured we'd let her have an extra one!) 

Optimistic