07 November 2025 

The Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) proudly celebrated the winners of the 2025 ACT Awards for Planning Excellence at a ceremony held last night at East Hotel, Canberra. These annual awards recognise the outstanding contributions of planners and planning teams who are shaping healthy, sustainable, and vibrant communities across the ACT.

Planning is more than maps and regulations, it is about creating places where people thrive. Planners work at the intersection of environment, economy, and community, balancing competing needs to deliver outcomes that are inclusive, resilient, and future-focused. From designing walkable neighbourhoods and protecting cultural heritage to enabling climate adaptation and housing affordability, planners are the quiet achievers behind the spaces we live, work, and play in.

As the national voice for planning, PIA champions excellence and innovation in the profession. PIA’s mission is to advance planning as a force for good, supporting practitioners, influencing policy, and fostering collaboration to ensure Australia’s communities are sustainable, equitable, and connected. Through advocacy, education, and recognition programs like these awards, PIA empowers planners to lead positive change.

Planners are problem-solvers and visionaries. They translate big-picture strategies into practical solutions that touch everyday lives - whether it’s integrating transport and housing, embedding First Nations knowledge into design, or responding to climate challenges. Their work shapes not just physical spaces but social and economic wellbeing, making planning a cornerstone of community resilience and prosperity.

This year’s awards showcased the breadth of the profession - from strategic and regional planning to place-making, urban design, and community engagement. The projects recognised demonstrate creativity, collaboration, and commitment to delivering outcomes that matter for people and Country. They set a benchmark for excellence and highlight the critical role of planning in addressing contemporary challenges such as housing diversity, climate resilience, and cultural inclusion.

The evening was attended by distinguished guests and leaders from across the planning and development sector, including Sam Engele from the Deputy Director-General, City and Environment Directorate (CED), George Cilliers, The Chief Planner, Sally Gilbert, Chief Operating Officer of the Suburban Land Agency (SLA), Peter Cain MLA, Emma Reilly, PIA National President, and distinguished guests such as Professor Barbara Norman, alongside many industry professionals and community representatives.