Previous Award Winners

Category 1 - Research and Practice

Winner: Penrith City Council for Places of Penrith - Developing a place-based strategic framework

Council has developed a suite of city shaping strategies for a place-based approach across the city. The strategies are:

• Employment Lands
• Green Grid
• Rural Land 
• Corridors and Centres

Each strategy is underpinned by research, spatial analysis and social, economic and environmental criteria-based prioritisation.

Commendations:

• RMIT, Wyndham City Council and City of Casey for Early Delivery of Equitable and Healthy Transport Options in new suburbs
  • The study looked at aspects impacting on transport provision and accessibility and how to improve planning for early transport delivery in growth areas.
• Penrith City Council for The Quarter Health and Education Precinct Prospectus and Investment Campaign
  • Council used a collaborative approach to engage with stakeholders in the 400 hectare health and education precinct Quarter at Kingswood, a key centre in Penrith's East-West Economic Corridor.

Category 2 - Built Environment

Winner: City of Cockburn for Wetlands Precinct

A transformative redevleopment underpinned by a collaborative partnership with site tenants delivered a new, sustainable, purpose-built community facility at the Cockburn Wetlands Precinct in the Bibra Lake A-Class Reserve.

Commendation: Melton City Council for Cobblebank Indoor Stadium

Category 3 - Partnerships - Building Connections

Joint winners:

• Playford Council for Riverbanks College B-12

City-wide strategic planning identified the need for a new school and social infrastructure in the growth area suburb of Angle Vale. Council advocqacy led to early engagement with the Education Department and a partnership to incorporate shared-use facilities. A 30 year Council Enhancement Deed between project partners TESA Education, Department for Education and the City of Playford formalises the collaboration and ensures the longevity of the facility usage.

• Melton City Council for Melton Central Community Centre

Council redeveloped Melton Central Community Centre into an integrated hub with a new building and service model. The Centre co-locates service providers including Djerriwarrh Community and Education Services, Catholic Care and MiCare to provide a safe, welcoming and inclusive destination.

Commendations:

• Mount Barker District Council for Mount Barker Developer Partnership in Growth Management
• City of Whittlesea for Olivine Place

Category 4 - Advocacy

Winner: City of Kwinana for Indian Ocean Gateway

With high growth and high unemployment, Council's advocacy has focused on expediting State Government delivery of the Indian Ocean Gateway - a container port long identified in plans. The City executed a strategic advocacy framework that in 2017 led to the commitment of the then shadow government to plan and construct the new port.

Commendation: Wollondilly Council for Wilton Health and Wellbeing Strategy

Category 5 - Leadership in Growth Areas

Winner: City of Playford for Andrew Smith - Playford Growth Areas

Development in the Playford Growth Area is on privately-held, fragmented land between two rural townships with inadequate existing infrastructure, complex legal arrangements and multiple stakeholders. Andrew Smith has established credible and trusted relationships with landholders, State Government, service providers and developers, and has been critical to securing funding and delivery of infrastructure. 

Commendation: Cardinia Shire Council for Lisa Hall's contribution to growth area planning