Commendations
Climate Change & Resilience
Central Coast Community Resilience Plans
Central Coast Council and CRED Consulting
The Central Coast of NSW is one of the most at-risk regions in Australia for bushfires and floods. Its communities are among the most socially vulnerable, which affects their ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. In recent years, Central Coast residents have endured the compounding impacts of bushfires, successive floods, and the COVID-19 pandemic. As recovery from one disaster began, another followed - placing ongoing strain on social connections, mental health, and the community’s capacity to bounce back.
To address these challenges, Community Resilience Plans have been developed to strengthen disaster preparedness and build resilience and social connection in vulnerable communities affected by flood and/or fire. These plans provide a framework for Council to collaborate with communities in achieving their vision, aspirations, and ideas for improving social cohesion - ensuring they are better equipped to withstand, adapt to, and recover from future disasters.
The plans were developed by Council, with support from CRED Consulting, and co-designed with the community through an extensive and innovative consultation process and several actions identified in the plans have already been implemented, resulting in tangible benefits such as improved preparedness and stronger community networks.
Community Wellbeing & Diversity
Open Streets Program 2024-25
Transport for NSW
The Open Streets Program 2024–25 is awarded a commendation in the Community Wellbeing & Diversity category for its visionary and inclusive approach to reimagining public spaces and strengthening social connection. This program transformed the way communities across New South Wales experience their local streets, turning roads into vibrant, people-first places filled with creativity, celebration and connection.
Through this initiative, 73 councils reimagined road spaces into vibrant public spaces, delivering community events that brought together over 800,000 people. Streets became stages for festivals, performances and gatherings that strengthened local identity and community belonging.
The program demonstrated great collaboration between councils, businesses, cultural industry and the community and delivered improved social, cultural and economic benefits, with many communities reporting stronger relationships and increased local business activity.
The Open Streets Program is an inspiring example of innovative, people-centred planning initiative, that brings vibrancy and inclusiveness to the heart of our communities.
The Jury commends this high-quality program.
Waverley Council Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme
Waverley Council
The jury commends Waverley Council for its leadership in addressing housing affordability through the Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme. In a context of escalating housing pressures in Sydney’s east, the scheme demonstrates an innovative and practical planning mechanism that secures long-term affordable rental housing for key workers and vulnerable households. By embedding contributions within the development approvals process, Waverley Council has created a sustainable model that balances growth with social responsibility.
The project stands out for its strong alignment with community wellbeing and diversity objectives, ensuring that people who contribute to the economy and vibrancy of the local area can continue to live and work within it. Importantly, the scheme is supported by strong financial feasibility and provides a replicable framework for other councils, showing how planning levers can be used to deliver inclusive, resilient, and equitable communities. This commendation recognises Waverley Council’s commitment to advancing housing equity through thoughtful and effective social planning policy.
Great Place
Cobar Ward Oval Precinct
Cobar Shire Council in Collaboration with DunnHillam Architecture + Urban Design and SJB Planning (NSW)
The judges commend the Cobar Ward Oval Precinct as a shining example of how visionary planning can transform a place in rural NSW into the heart of its community. The precinct’s high-quality facilities, including a multi-purpose pavilion and Early Learning Centre, provide flexible, inclusive spaces for sport, culture and everyday gathering, fostering community connection, pride, and wellbeing.
Strategically aligned with local and state priorities, the project delivers lasting social and economic benefits, advancing the importance of planning in regional Australia. Its successful implementation, supported by robust collaboration between government, technical experts, and the community, demonstrates a transferable model for rural revitalisation.
Improving Planning Processes
NSW Housing Pattern Book
Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure
The judges commend the NSW Housing Pattern Book for setting a new benchmark for planning performance, delivering streamlined approvals and high-quality, buildable homes that directly address the urgent housing needs of NSW.
Developed through robust collaboration with architects, government, industry, and community and strategically aligning with state and national reforms, the Pattern Book’s replicable model shows how planning reform can deliver high-quality, accessible, affordable housing at speed, enhancing development and community outcomes and ensuring that great design is available to all.
Rethinking Transport Oriented Development: Alternative approaches for Canterbury, Belmore, Lakemba, Wiley Park and Punchbowl
Canterbury-Bankstown Council
The City of Canterbury-Bankstown developed an innovative, place-based alternative to the State Government’s Transport Oriented Development (TOD) and Low and Medium Rise Housing (LMRH) programs. Instead of applying generic rezoning, the council created tailored master plans for Canterbury, Belmore, Lakemba, Wiley Park, and Punchbowl.
This process, undertaken in a relatively short period, resulted in plans that exceeded the State housing targets while protecting local character, enhancing open space, and supporting community needs.
Key innovations that went beyond the alternative State policy included requiring land dedications for parks, introducing a higher 3% affordable housing contribution, promoting garden-style apartments, rooftop gardens, communal spaces, and through-site pedestrian links.
Extensive community engagement and design charrettes ensured transparency and inclusivity. The approach resulted in development potential of over 9,000 dwellings in the metro-rail walk catchments, and over 11,000 sqm of new open space. Canterbury-Bankstown Council’s approach also influenced policy-setting in other councils, demonstrating a model for sustainable, community-driven urban growth.
Stakeholder Engagement
Broadmeadow Place Strategy - Aboriginal Stakeholder Engagement
City of Newcastle
The City of Newcastle’s Broadmeadow Place Strategy Aboriginal Stakeholder Engagement is a standout example of meaningful collaboration with traditional landowners. Led by Council, the initiative placed Aboriginal voices at the centre, fostering genuine relationships and co-authorship of the 30-year infill development strategy.
Using culturally respectful methods including yarning circles, walks on Country, and on-site meetings, the engagement by Council gained trust and respect with Traditional Custodians and Aboriginal people, which enriched the planning outcomes with deep cultural, social, and environmental knowledge. Outcomes included Country-centred themes, a focus on caring for Country, and exploring options for affordable housing for Aboriginal families and a proposed cultural wellbeing hub. This genuine approach for engagement offers a transferable model for future projects at City of Newcastle and beyond, ensuring better outcomes for both traditional owners and new communities being planned.
Congratulations to City of Newcastle.
Living Lab Northern Rivers
Living Lab Northern Rivers
The jury are inspired by the Living Lab Northern Rivers submission which is a community-led, research-informed, and design-enabled initiative established after the 2022 Northern Rivers floods. Formed through partnership between the NSW Reconstruction Authority, the University of Technology Sydney, and Southern Cross University, Living Lab Northern Rivers operates across seven flood-affected Local Government Areas on Bundjalung Country. It fills a structural gap — creating a trusted “third space” where community knowledge, government policy, and technical expertise meet on equal terms.
In the face of adversity, the jury felt that the “Third Space” was an inspiring in-between medium where more liberated collaborations can unfold. This quickly builds capacity and shared understanding of the challenges communities face. The approach demonstrates how engagement can drive adaptation, recovery, agility to drive enduring regional transformation.
Strategic Planning Project
Broadmeadow Place Strategy
City of Newcastle & NSW Department Planning, Housing and Infrastructure
Broadmeadow is a Regionally Significant Growth Area with the potential to deliver homes to address a national housing crisis. The Broadmeadow Place Strategy was finalised in March 2025 and sets a blueprint for development of the 313-hectare precinct over the next thirty years. Envisaging up to 15,000 jobs and 20,000 homes for around 40,000 people, the project is the most significant urban renewal project to be undertaken in Greater Newcastle.
Underpinned by collaboration, technical expertise and meaningful engagement, the place strategy overcomes significant environmental challenges such as flooding and contamination and presents opportunities for well-located homes, jobs and a vibrant sport, recreation and entertainment destination.
Delivered under a unique partnership between local and State government, the only partnership of its kind outside of Sydney, the strategic planning project is a model example of precinct planning. It demonstrates a collaborative and coordinated exercise in growth and infrastructure planning, while remaining deeply rooted in community values.
It’s a powerful example of how place-based planning can be transformative when driven by vision, inclusivity, and collaboration. The Broadmeadow Place Strategy doesn’t just tick boxes; it redefines how regional urban renewal can be done well.
Sydney Olympic Park Master Plan 2050
Sydney Olympic Park Authority in Collaboration SJB Architecture and SJB Planning
The Sydney Olympic Park Master Plan 2050 stands out as an exemplary strategic planning project, being one of the most significant and largest detailed master plans in NSW. It is a visionary and innovative framework for transforming the precinct into Sydney’s Beating Green Heart.
The judges were particularly impressed by how this project seeks to harmonise urban design with the parklands and strengthen the area’s identity as both a premier events precinct and a desirable residential and commercial hub. The project seeks to balance the demand for urban development while protecting significant ecological and natural resources, while enhancing connectivity through active and sustainable transport and responding to the housing crisis with diverse and affordable housing options. A key focus was to embed First Nations voices, language, and symbolism through the Connecting with Country framework.
Master Plan 2050 sets a new benchmark for urban transformation—where legacy, innovation, and Country come together to shape an enduring future for Sydney Olympic Park.
Congratulations to the Sydney Olympic Park Authority and team on this exceptional achievement!
Technology and Digital Innovation
Inner West Council Fairer Futures Mapping Tool
Inner West Council GIS Team and Strategic Planning Team
Inner West Council introduced an innovative GIS-based mapping tool to help explain the council’s ‘Our Fairer Future’ housing policy alternative to the State Government’s Transport Oriented Development and Low and Medium Rise Housing programs.
Unlike static PDF maps, the interactive tool provided dynamic layers, sliders to compare current and proposed zoning, and an adaptive legend, making complex planning proposals transparent and accessible on any device. Its originality lay in simplifying technical reforms for diverse audiences, including residents less confident with technology.
The mapping informed quality engagement with the community. Over 3,000 residents engaged in the first consultation round, using the tool to make tailored submissions and informed feedback. Community workshops, town hall sessions, and one-on-one “speak to a planner” meetings also resulted in meaningful engagement.
The mapping tool and qualitative stakeholder engagement activities produced a practical, transparent, and replicable model for consultation on draft planning policies generally.
MOSAIC Planning Platform
Mecone
MOSAIC Planning Platform is recognised for its outstanding achievement in technology and digital innovation, delivering a leading planning intelligence platform that integrates complex and fragmented data into a single, accessible digital platform.
MOSAIC has continuously evolved, enabling real-time spatial analysis and informed decision-making across both government and industry. Its innovative features, including live mapping of planning proposals, curated development application datasets, and the Automated Intelligence Mapper, demonstrate exceptional technical capability and a deep understanding of planning practice.
The platform’s rigorous dataset, user-centred design, and operational reliability have positioned it as a resource for over 20,000 professionals. Mecone’s collaborative approach and commitment to continuous improvement exemplify excellence in digital planning, setting a new benchmark for transparency, coordination, and efficiency across the sector.
The judges commend MOSAIC for demonstrating technical excellence, and leadership in delivering a platform which has made an enduring contribution to Australia’s planning system.
Tertiary Student Project
The Impetus and Implications of the 15-Year Timeframe for Affordable Housing Provision in the State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021
Nishka Chauhan, Project Planner, Gyde Consulting, for a Bachelor of City Planning Honours Thesis undertaken at UNSW Sydney (2024)
The jury commends Nishka Chauhan for her Honours thesis, The Impetus and Implications of the 15-Year Timeframe for Affordable Housing Provision in the State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021.
This timely and rigorous project critically examines one of NSW’s most significant recent housing reforms, analysing the rationale, risks, and long-term impacts of time-limited affordable housing. Nishka’s research demonstrates originality by interrogating what happens when affordability expires, offering a fresh temporal perspective rarely addressed in housing policy discourse.
Through a combination of policy review and stakeholder interviews, the thesis provides valuable insights into the experiences of developers, community housing providers, and tenants, highlighting both opportunities and vulnerabilities. Importantly, Nishka proposes practical recommendations - such as structured exit strategies and mechanisms to strengthen delivery - that bridge academic critique and professional application. Her work represents an impressive contribution to planning scholarship and practice, and a commendable achievement at undergraduate level.