PIA Award For Planning Excellence

24 Nov 2010

Deicke Richards, in conjunction with Mackay Regional Council, has won a state excellence award for its local area planning work in the growing Mackay region.

The award was announced at the Planning Institute of Australia’s (PIA) 2010 Awards for Planning Excellence on Friday 12 November at the Hyatt Coolum.

The industry accolade recognised local area planning work completed in the regional communities of Marian, Mirani and Sarina. The project was described as providing leadership and direction for other communities facing growth and change.

Working closely with Mackay Regional Council, Deicke Richards completed a series of enquiry by design (EbD) workshops in 2010 for Sarina and the hinterland towns of Marian and Mirani. These smaller communities are experiencing considerable pressure for growth and expansion, which has implications for urban form and infrastructure.

The EbD process helps define an appropriate urban form by looking at the nature and pattern of development, issues of neighbourhood development, density, land use and open space.

The outcomes from the EbD workshops provide the basis for Council’s Local Area Plans. These plans will contribute to the Mackay 200k+ Planning Scheme.