THE Mount Gambier Railway Lands won three prestigious awards at the Planning Institute Australia (PIA) South Australia Awards for Excellence 2017 in Adelaide last week.
Mount Gambier City Council representatives accepted the coveted overall planning minister’s award, as well as the “plan to place” and “great place” accolades for the planning and development of the community project.
The annual PIA Awards for Planning Excellence demonstrate leading practice, leadership and achievement in planning.
The minister’s award is given to the overall winner of the South Australian Awards for Planning Excellence, judged by the South Australian Planning Minister John Rau.
“It is an honour to win this award for our community,” Mayor Andrew Lee said.
“Minister Rau recognised the initiative, innovation and process involved in the Railway Lands project and its contribution to sustainability and the enhancement of liveability within our community.”
The “plan to place” award recognises the implementation of a plan into a successful place.
It was awarded to Mount Gambier City Council for the evolution of the project and achievement in accomplishing positive changes as a result of planning.
“We were commended for engaging with the community throughout the planning, design and implementation phases of the project as well as the ongoing use of the Railway Lands,” planning officer Jess Porter said.
The “great place” award recognises a great place, street or neighbourhood.
City Council was commended for its vision and ambition in tackling a socially, physically, culturally and environmentally challenging site.
“The Railway Lands project was deemed an exemplar of the characteristics of a great place, through the quality of its planning, design and construction,” Ms Porter said.
“Most importantly, it demonstrates how great places help build great communities, providing new settings for new opportunities, that will continue to enhance the local way of life for years to come.”
Mr Lee highlighted the vision of both the current and previous council in planning the project and for the design and delivery by council staff, including a focus on community engagement.
“We are all very proud of this achievement, this project has been recognised as best in class not once, but three times,” he said.
The Railway Lands project will go on to represent the state in its respective categories at the National PIA Awards for Planning Excellence to be held in Perth on May 9, 2018.
