Planning Awards for Excellence Winners

2025 PIA VIC Awards for Planning Excellence

The 2025 PIA VIC Awards for Planning Excellence presentation was held on 28 November at the Windsor Hotel to celebrate with the winners of awards and commendations. Thank you to those who attended and helped celebrate the achievements of their colleagues and the planning profession.

Download the Awards E-Book View the photo gallery

Climate Change & Resilience

Sunshine sustainability modelling

Department of Transport and Planning (Vic), RMIT University, RACE for 2030 CRC, C4NET

• The project demonstrates how PlanTech tools can be used to test the efficacy of both existing and future policy, particularly in the rapidly changing environment of climate change and resilience.
• The project is layered.
• There is substantial strategic alignment between the project and national, state, regional and local planning policy.
• In terms of implementation and transferability, the project demonstrates the importance of the availability of and open access to data.

Commendation

Keon Parade Level Crossing Removal Project - Project Beacon: A Recycled-First Precinct

North Western Program Alliance

Project Beacon demonstrated an innovative approach to recycling by supporting emerging recycled materials suppliers with funding, technical expertise, and market access. The judges commend the use of alternative procurement methods to address systematic barriers in the selection of materials and supplies instead of using traditional methods that tend to favour established materials with extensive performance histories. The entry demonstrated strong alignment with the National Waste Policy Action Plan and advances State and National aspirations for a circular economy. Detailed documentation will allow the methodology to be scaled across different infrastructure types, project sizes, and jurisdictions.

Great Place 

Pakenham Level Crossing Removal Project: Great Place Award

North Western Program Alliance

The Pakenham Level Crossing Removal Project removed three congested level crossings by constructing a 2 km elevated u-trough rail viaduct. It delivered a new premium station, track duplication, end of line turnback with V/line connectivity to alleviate congestion and bolster reliability of Metro and V/Line train services. The project demonstrates the transformational change and positive community outcomes that can be achieved by major infrastructure projects, particularly in a growth area context through the delivery of an abundant 2km long linear open space filled with various activity zones tailored to meet a range of diverse community needs. These spaces are inclusive, welcoming people of all ages and abilities.

Improving Planning Processes

Housing Trend Tracker

City of Boroondara

The Housing Trend Tracker is a simple yet powerful tool to address a critical gap in the supply of housing; specifically, the lack of reliable, accurate and comprehensive data which monitors residential development from planning approval to construction completion and occupancy. The tool is highly transferable, incorporating learnings and testings from a well-designed pilot program, and has the potential to be scalable across all Victorian Council’s and Departments. The Judges applaud the simplicity, innovation, and transferability of this tool and commend this to the sector.

Commendation

Advancing AI for Planning in Victoria’s Councils – A Moment for Readiness, a Moment of Caution (MAV).

Municipal Association of Victoria (MAVlab), City of Greater Dandenong and Portable

This project conducted a comprehensive analysis of statutory planning processes, mapping workflows across 56 councils to identify opportunities for AI to improve efficiency, support housing delivery, and uphold planning quality and public values. The project is commended for its extensive engagement that highlighted significant inefficiencies in administrative tasks, together with its response - a tiered AI approach that targets routine administrative functions while maintaining essential human judgment in complex assessment, community engagement and place-making. The project highlights improvements in application processing workflows, customer communication and post-decision administration, enabling councils to handle more applications without reducing quality. It offers a replicable methodology for jurisdictions facing capacity and efficiency constraints, demonstrating how systematic process analysis and selective AI adoption can strengthen planning practice and deliver better outcomes for communities and councils alike.

Planning Research

Towards a Theory of Sustainable City Sizes

Assoc Prof Liton Kamruzzaman, Monash University

This research advances urban planning by proposing a new theory of sustainable city size, addressing the critical gap in frameworks for estimating the population a city can sustainably support. Drawing on four foundational theories—locational fundamentals, increasing returns, central place, and central flow—the study develops a robust conceptual model using data from 655 Urban Centres and Localities across Australia. It demonstrates that cities whose populations align within ±4% of their theoretical capacity achieve optimal economic, environmental, and socio-environmental outcomes, measured by rent savings, increased walking-to-work rates, and reduced multi-vehicle dependency. The model developed could be utilised by governments seeking locations for new housing, enabling them to better consider alternatives to the already stretched major capital cities. Nationally, this equilibrium could save $5.3 billion in annual rent, generate 44,000 additional daily walking trips, and reduce multivehicle dependency in 275,000 households. 

Commendation

Circling back to inclusivity: Urban planning, reuse organisations and workforce development in the circular economy

Dr. Lachlan Burke, Urban Planning & Design, Monash University Prof. Carl Grodach, Urban Planning & Design, Monash University Assoc. Prof. Ruth Lane, Human Geography, Monash University Dr. Elizabeth J. Taylor, Urban Planning & Design, Monash University

The judging panel commends this research for its contribution to urban planning knowledge and practices in an emerging sector. The work shows relational processes of change in the circular economy and its socioeconomic configurations. Importantly it places these activities within specific locations and the broader urban economic framework. It demonstrates the need for urban planning policy and regulation to understand the shifting processes of employment industry and nodes of economic activity that are in flux as we move towards a circular economy. For planning practice this implies new ways to consider the industrial economy retail location and socioeconomic patterns, each of which is necessary if we are to reconsider categories and assumptions about economic and material flows in the contemporary Australian city.

Planning with Country

Progressive Planning for Waterways - a decade of Planning with Country

Planning Portfolio, Department of Transport and Planning

This long-term project and process is leading the way to reframe planning with Country across Victoria. This includes, groundbreaking legislation, the first in Australia, to grant legal recognition to a river (the Birrarung) as a living entity with rights. It is also Australia’s first legislation to have a co-title and preamble in Traditional Owner language. The commitment to building meaningful relationships and supporting self-determination is reflected in the project’s innovative approach to governance and collaboration with Traditional Knowledge holders. This work demonstrates to all stakeholders how to shift from a western ‘assets management’ paradigm, by adopting a Country-centred approach to water and the cultural importance of healthy water systems across the state.

The judges applaud the embedding of Country in the planning system, the state-wide leadership and relationship building, which provide a model for our reforming our approach to water at a national level.

Commendation

San Remo Structure Plan

Bass Coast Shire & Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation

Adopting a Country-centred approach to the San Remo Structure Plan, the Bass Coast Shire has embedded Traditional Owner knowledge and language in the Structure Plan Framework and provide a model for re-centring Country in strategic land-use planning. 

Stakeholder Engagement

Calming the Storm

Merri-bek City Council & Engeny (part of Egis Group)

Commendation

Yarra Junction Place Plan - A relationship-centred approach to Place Planning

Yarra Ranges Council

Yarra Junction Place Plan showcases an innovative, relationship-centred approach to long-term community planning. Grounded in genuine collaboration, the project went beyond traditional consultation to co-create a 20-year vision with residents, embedding inclusion through youth-led engagement and a Gender Impact Assessment. The Plan demonstrates high quality through evidence-based design, expert input, and clear alignment with Council’s strategic priorities, including the Living Places Framework and Yarra Strategic Plan. Implementation is supported by defined accountability, integrated reporting, and dedicated Council resources, ensuring achievable outcomes.

The process inspired the Yarra Junction Township Group, reflecting early success in local leadership and community-led action. Its emphasis on stewardship, co-design, and assetbased community development offers a transferable model for other municipalities, demonstrating how collaborative, place-based planning delivers enduring social, environmental, and economic benefits.

Strategic Planning Project

Stonnington Neighbourhood Activity Centres Framework

City of Stonnington, Breathe Architecture, Hodyl & Co (now Hodyl), GJM Heritage, HillPDA, SGS Economics and Planning, Movement & Place and Capire

The Stonnington Neighbourhood Framework is a bold and intelligent response to the challenge of accommodating growth while preserving local character. Through a first-of-its-kind typologybased Floor Area Ratio model applied across 17 centres, this project delivers clarity, flexibility, and design excellence. It enables capacity for over 67,000 new dwellings (far exceeding state targets) while maintaining a strong focus on amenity, sustainability, and community values. Grounded in rigorous built form testing and shaped by meaningful engagement, this framework sets a new national benchmark for neighbourhood-scale planning.

Commendation

Greater Bendigo Heritage Strategy and Action Plan 2024 - 2028

City of Greater Bendigo

The Greater Bendigo Heritage Strategy sets a new benchmark for local government heritage planning. By unifying built, cultural, landscape, and object heritage into a single, practical framework, the City of Greater Bendigo has delivered a strategy that is inclusive, actionable, and deeply community driven. With 35 clear actions, early implementation success, and strong engagement with Traditional Owners and local heritage groups, this strategy demonstrates how thoughtful planning can build trust, celebrate identity, and protect heritage for future generations. It is a replicable model with national relevance and a powerful example of heritage leadership in action. 

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Progressive Planning for Waterways - a decade of waterway protection

Planning Portfolio, Department of Transport and Planning

Progressive Planning for Waterways is a visionary strategy that re-conceptualises waterways in a very meaningful manner and has been quite impactful in its implementation. An array of innovative legislative provisions was developed from the strategy including the Birrarung Act which is “Australia’s first legislation co-titled in Traditional Owner Language, and first to legally recognise a river as a living entity”, and Yarra River Action Plan. The strategy has reinforced and enhanced the connections of indigenous peoples with water and place by embedding cultural values into legislation. These values have helped in scaling up and replicating the success to other rivers such as Waterways of the West (WoW) and the Rivers of the Barwon (RoB). It has the potential to be a national leader in terms of rethinking water systems.

Technology & Digital Innovation

Advancing AI Innovation in Local Government

Municipal Association of Victoria (MAVlab), City of Greater Dandenong and Portable

Commendation

Heritage Data Project and Heritage Map

City of Melbourne

The Heritage Data Project and Heritage Map represents a significant advancement in how the City of Melbourne manages, communicates and shares heritage information. Through the creation of an integrated database, the project transformed a complex and fragmented heritage system into an accessible, interactive digital platform. The public-facing heritage map consolidates more than 7,000 heritage entries and statements of significance, enabling anyone to explore Melbourne’s rich heritage with curiosity and confidence.

By improving public access to information, the online map supports community understanding of how heritage is recognised and protected. Its intuitive design allows planners, consultants and community members alike to easily navigate the city’s heritage landscape and engage more meaningfully in planning processes. This project showcases collaboration and innovation between planners, GIS and IT specialists, delivering a high-quality, enduring tool that enhances accessibility, efficiency and engagement setting a new standard for digital innovation in heritage planning.

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Development Contributions Power BI Tool

City of Whittlesea

The City of Whittlesea’s Development Contributions Power BI Tool is a pioneering digital innovation that has transformed the way infrastructure contributions are tracked, forecasted, and planned across the Council’s key growth areas.

Developed in-house through collaboration between the Finance and Planning directorates, this tool provides a unified, interactive platform for managing the complexities of Development Contributions Plans (DCPs) and Infrastructure Contributions Plans (ICPs) in fast-growing new communities.

The tool integrates financial data, estate-level cashflow, construction schedules, and GIS mapping into a single dashboard—allowing planners, engineers, and decision-makers to monitor reserve balances, compliance activity, and infrastructure triggers in real time.

This unique tool provides practical benefits for the City of Whittlesea by enabling smarter, data rich infrastructure planning and better-informed decision making.

Tertiary Student Project

The Ovava Playground for Resilience - Placemaking in Ohonua, Eua, Tonga

Anh Nguyen, Ka Sin Adelaide Lee, Shiyi Zhang Students of The University of Melbourne - Master of Architecture; Landscape Architecture; and Urban Planning

The Ovava Playground for Resilience reflects how placemaking can contribute to the healing of a community after a disaster. The project demonstrates how a ‘scarred land avoided for fear, memory, and loss’ could be transformed into a tangible place of respite and rebuilding. The student team produced a tactical intervention in the form of a co-created playground around the Ovava tree which was the most revered cultural and ecological anchor for the community. By being sensitive to the community and understanding peoples’ connections to the land and culture, the team has shown exemplary approach in achieving a high-quality outcome which supported enhanced community connections to culture and their environment fostering hope and a sense of renewal.

Commendation

A Discourse Network Analysis of the Inclusionary Zoning Policy Implementation in Victoria

Australia Jennifer Tsui (RMIT Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning (Honours) Graduate)

Jennifer Tsui’s honours thesis investigates an important aspect of the vexing problem of inadequate supply of affordable housing. It looks at the way in which the public discourse shapes the implementation of inclusionary zoning policy in Victoria and the influence of actors and organisations involved in the surrounding debates. Through an analysis of newspapers reports on issues around inclusionary zoning between 2014 and 2024 it sheds light on the difficulties in housing policy implementation. It identifies three major challenges in affordable housing delivery including the role of the property development industry, the lack of clarity around definitions of housing affordability and the lack of a coherence agenda amongst proponents of inclusion zoning.

Emerging Planner of the Year

Hugh McIntyre MPIA

Zesty Planning

Hugh is a passionate and aspiring young planner, displaying qualities of emerging leadership, industry participation, and a collaborative nature that is admired by his industry peers. Hugh recently founded his planning consultancy, Zesty Planning, which seeks to champion accessibility and innovation as its key services, and through this medium, assists clients with planning project work, overflow Council assistance, and independent planning advice. Hugh contributes to the profession as convenor of the Victorian Emerging Planners committee, facilitating meetings and events which support the emerging planning cohort. In the words of Hugh’s nominee ‘… Hugh’s current and former colleagues and peers attest to his clear but humble leadership skills, team mentality and project management capabilities.’ Congratulations, Hugh.

President's Award

Reforming Victoria’s Planning System: local government sector submission

Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) Planning and Sustainable Development team

Community Wellbeing & Diversity 

Commendation

Health Needs Assessment - Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities and People Experiencing Homelessness in Eastern Melbourne

SGS Economics and Planning Larter Consulting Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network

The Health Needs Assessment – Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Communities, and People Experiencing Homelessness in Eastern Melbourne was based on a methodology that combined data analysis with comprehensive engagement of people with lived experience, community organisations, and healthcare providers. The Need Assessments (centred on lived experiences), identify practical community-driven solutions, ranging from outreach health services, co-located models of care, and trauma-informed practice, to culturally safe communication and navigation supports. The judges found this project deserving of a Commendation and were particularly impressed with the considered engagement methodology that resulted in extensive and meaningful engagement with people with lived experience.

Performance and Innovation in Development

Commendation

BVIA on Bank, 305-307 & 309 Clarendon Street South Melbourne

Hansen Partnership, SheBuilt and Agius Scorpo Architects

After seven years of planning and construction, BVIA on Bank has positively delivered on its vision. The project sets a high-quality design benchmark within this part of South Melbourne through the construction of a visually sensitive contemporary addition to the significant heritage fabric that elegantly pays tribute to the site’s historic context. The building is connected to its place, tells the story of its past as well as its future and tastefully incorporates meaningful public art across its façade that creates a living canvas.

The building is now fully leased and has increased foot traffic off the main thoroughfare of Clarendon Street through its active frontages and commercial uses.

The project successfully received planning officer and heritage advisor support at City of Port Phillip Council through all stages of the planning assessment process through diligent stakeholder engagement, despite attracting a number of objections and requiring a Councillor decision.

The project is commended for its role in supporting and celebrating women’s leadership in the development industry with approximately 25 female leaders from a range of disciplines intentionally appointed to lead various facets of the project (including architecture, planning, engineering and construction).

Planning Champion

Commendation

Camilla Hamilton

Head of Engagement, Cogency Australia

Camilla Hamilton is commended for her leadership in community and stakeholder engagement. As a non-planner, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to inclusive and transparent engagement, ensuring that community voices are heard and considered in planning projects. Through her work at Cogency, Camilla has gone above and beyond to ensure proactive engagement, consult with a wider range of stakeholders than statutory requirements, and is contributing to the delivery of renewable energy projects. Camilla’s commendation acknowledges a valuable contribution to the profession.