Planner Spotlight

Teah Hammet PIA (Assoc.)

Consultant, CRED Consulting

  Prefer to pop your headphones in?

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

 

What first drew you to planning?

I started in a science and business degree and actually didn’t even know what planning was. After two years of studying, I figured out that I wanted to do more collaborative work, on the ground, with people - and one of my friends actually pointed me in the direction of the urban development degree.

When I found out that it was all about addressing environmental, social and economic challenges while working with communities, I decided to give it a go. The rest is history - and I was able to keep my science degree and graduate with dual degrees!

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

I’m proud of the 2025 Emerging Planners Summit, where a group of emerging planners across Queensland came together to share their passions and interest and learn from industry leaders and each other in a supportive and open environment. The energy in the room that day was incredible, it was buzzing with passion!

 

What does PIA mean to you as an emerging planner?

PIA to me, means community. In Queensland PIA is a very special community where everyone genuinely knows and cares for one another, and it fosters this welcoming and inclusive environment where people can share what they’re really passionate about and hopefully spark that interest in others to innovate and create real change together. 

 

PIA works really hard to advocate for best practice and to advance the profession in positive direction, and it’s really amazing to be a part of the PIA community to contribute to something bigger than yourself and overall, a better world.

What inspires you most about the future of planning and PIA? 

The ambitious change we can make when we all work together really inspires me - in planning you’re encouraged to be the change that you want to see in the world. Communities are dynamic, and there is a lot of constant learning and innovation needed to keep up with community needs, trends and demands. 

Right now planners are working hard to tackle multiple crises at once across climate, housing, cost of living and social connection. PIA works really hard to advocate for best practice and to advance the profession in positive direction, and it’s really amazing to be a part of the PIA community to contribute to something bigger than yourself and overall, a better world.

 

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

There is something for everyone when it comes to the planning profession because it is such a diverse area to work in. Whether your interest is in the environment, social justice, transport or development, if you’re a planner you can work to influence and improve all of these areas.

 

What excites you about the future of planning?

It excites me that planners are at the intersection of so many important aspects of society. Planning has the ability to influence many aspects of people's lives, and it is a privilege and a responsibility to do it well. From health and wellbeing to social connection to climate resilience, we can really shape all of these elements, and I think that diversity makes being a planner really special and exciting.

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