LEADING PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATORS
Interesting news, insights and research
World Cities Day 2024
This window was a personal one for us! World Cities Day acts as a reminder of the critical role cities play in shaping our future. Working in planning, infrastructure and policy, we think about cities most days but its important to slow down and remember the purpose and big picture.
The theme for this year is Youth Leading Climate and Local Action for Cities. We often hear the most innovative, compassionate and inspiring feedback and ideas from young people on our engagement projects. That was clear for us a few months ago, when we designed and facilitated the second Towards 2050: Youth Summit in Cairns. It was a rewarding and fun day that served as a beautiful reminder about the power of young people, and the responsibility we hold in planning for the future of cities.
People are at the heart of cities, and we should be thinking about people in every step of planning. By supporting people to be engaged on projects in the way that works for them, and using their feedback to make a project the best it can be, we can build cities that are not only functional but also vibrant and equitable.
Planning Institute of Australia State Conference 2024
We are thrilled to have attending and sponsored the Planning Institute of Australia State Conference 2024 at K’Gari.
The conference theme, “Journey from Plan to Place” resonated deeply with us. Community engagement is a cornerstone of this journey. We need to recognise that the community is at the centre of planning, development, infrastructure and changes in our cities and towns. They are the ones who live and breathe in these places, so it’s essential to have genuine conversations with the people who call a place home.
Our workshop “NIMBYs Aren’t the Problem: You didn’t secure a social license to operate,” focused on the practical steps involved in securing a social license. We explored the consequences of community rejection, communities that are wary of development, and offered tips for developing a place-based engagement process.
It was a fantastic opportunity to meet new people and connect with old friends, enjoy the beauty of K’gari, and a experience a moving smoking ceremony and welcome from the Butchulla People.
As we reflect on the conference, it’s clear that community engagement is a key factor in turning plans into places where people want to live.
A win for cyclists!
This week we celebrated the grand opening of the O’Keefe Street Velobridge! We enjoyed a lovely picnic at Hanlon Park after visiting the new bridge in Woolloongabba. Active transport infrastructure followed by water sensitive urban design!
We are proud to have provided Community Liaison Officer support as part of JF Hull Holdings team for this project. Helping to keep residents informed throughout the construction process is so important!
We are proud to have been part of a project that improves Brisbane’s infrastructure and promotes sustainable transport options.
We were delighted to see the Velobridge already being put to good use! It is great to see Brisbane’s active transport infrastructure evolve, providing greater accessibility around our beautiful city.
Community engagement…. Whose role is it anyway?
Our Director, Leisa Prowse, was excited to participate in Queensland Young Planners The Great Debate 2024 which focused on the critical topic of community engagement in planning.
Leisa was on the winning team: arguing for the public sector, but it was close.
The debate brought together a diverse group of young and experienced planners, sparking a lively discussion on whose responsibility it truly is to champion meaningful community engagement.
We are delighted that an important key takeaway was discussed at the kick-ons. Meaningful engagement is everyone’s responsibility – public sector and private sector. We think it is the community’s responsibility too.
A big thank you to PIA and QYP for putting on such a fun and engaging event.
A full circle moment…
In January 2024, members of the LPC team travelled to Gladstone for a series of community engagement activites. It was an action-packed trip, but they still had time to visit Lake Awoonga.
In fact, the team has some past connections to Lake Awoonga…
In 2001, Leisa worked on the raising of the Awoonga Dam. She helped design the community and stakeholder relations plan that was delivered locally and provided strategic advice, helping to achieve outstanding outcomes for both the project and local community.
We believe our team benefits greatly from the unique depth and breadth of experience that each member brings to the table. LPC is comprised of specialists in community and stakeholder engagement, communication, facilitation, and planning. We love travelling to unique places, and appreciating a full circle moment.
Our 2023 wrapped
Here we are, at the end of 2023! As we begin to wind down, we can’t help but take a moment to reflect on our whirlwind year. It’s been a year full of growth, collaboration, and meaningful engagement. We’re excited to share just a glimpse of our adventures. Here is a snapshot of what we got up to:
Facilitating
From summits to planning and strategy sessions, roundtables to workshops, LPC has been at the heart of facilitating meaningful connections between teams, communities and stakeholders.
Moderating
LPC spent some quality time in the planning world, with Leisa moderating a panel about housing solutions at Planning Institute of Australia’s State Planning Conference and chairing the Legacy 2023 series and the Delivering… series, which included a mix of online and in-person conversations.
Learning
The LPC team attended 4 conferences, including the Australasia International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Australasia conference, where Leisa, as one of the Judges, helped to deliver Core Value Awards.
Listening
From planning to execution, our team was on the ground at pop-ups, drop-ins and workshops across the state. These events provided invaluable opportunities to connect directly with community members, so we could better understand their values, needs and aspirations.
Reporting
Over the year, we have analysed and reported on 1000s of feedback items from community members and stakeholders. It’s always inspiring to see community or stakeholder feedback provide new information for project teams and inform project outcomes.
2023 was an important year for LPC, with the business turning 10. We celebrated the milestone with great people, elaborate charcuterie boards, and of course, a birthday cake. We’re all looking forward to a happy and relaxing break for the festive season, and coming back full of energy for 2024!
IAP2 Australasia Conference 2023
We were thrilled to be a part of the IAP2 Australasia Conference 2023.
We were extremely moved to hear the story of the incredible Nova Peris OAM: the first Aboriginal woman to be elected to Federal Parliament, the first Aboriginal person and first Northern Territorian to win an Olympic gold medal. Nova shared the story of her family who were victim of the Stolen Generations and Tiwi Island missionary conversion camps, her life in the sporting and political spotlights, raising her children and campaigning for access to food for remote communities’.
We also had a ball at the IAP2 Gala dinner, where our Director, Leisa Prowse, helped present the Core Values Awards 2023 as a member of the judging panel.
Congratulations to all the winners!
Planning Institute of Australia Queensland State Conference 2023
We were very proud to have the opportunity to be a sponsor for the PIA State Conference 2023.
The issue of the housing crisis seemed to be on everyone’s minds. Leisa moderated a panel with Simon Kuestenmacher, Meaghan Scanlon MP, Michael Fotheringham and Julie Saunders discussing housing solutions. The panel discussed many contributors to the housing crisis (including the pandemic, social and affordable housing stock, affordability and diversity, the generational wealth gap, AirBnB and the skills shortage) and possible solutions (including nimble planning instruments, changing settlement patterns, working and living patterns in SEQ, policy and regulation, education and climate action).
The conference wasn’t all doom and gloom, with many speakers highlighting the golden opportunity for planners in Queensland as we plan for population growth and the evolving nature of our cities and towns. While we have traditionally had the luxury of space and low population density, that era has reached its limits. The consensus was clear: we need to grow up, not out.
We heard a lot of planners discussing the importance of involving the community in the growth challenge and planning process. It’s clear that engagement is important in a successful planning project.
Thank you to PIA for a great conference. As we move forward, we are looking forward to working collaboratively with the industry to help planners have conversations that make a difference to planning outcomes.
Delivering… renewables with Planning Institute of Australia
We enjoyed taking part in PIA’s Delivering Renewables seminar, a fascinating insight into a planner’s role within the complex process of delivering renewable energy infrastructure – moderated by our own Leisa Prowse.
Panellists discussed the following points.
- The Queensland Government’s Energy and Jobs Plan, what it means for industry and communities and provided an overview of the upcoming reviews for planning frameworks relevant to renewable energy infrastructure development. Julius also noted the importance of a joint approach involving all levels of government and the industry to gain social license in regional areas.
- The tools available for planners when seeking approval for renewable energy projects. This included a review of planning instruments relevant for wind farms and hydrogen projects.
- Reflections on the shift away from assuming social licence comes with statutory approval. Proponents need to consider the potential impacts on the community, biodiversity, agricultural land and the Connection to Country of Traditional Owners.
- The challenges planners can face, including evolving technology, balancing flexibility and certainty, post-approval constraints and policy change.
Our key takeaways included:
- It is vital to establish a relationship with the community you are working in (social licence to operate). Social licence used to be assumed alongside your statutory approval, but communities have higher expectation now. Engaging with local communities, understanding concerns, and involving communities throughout the planning and construction journey builds trust and community investment.
- Understanding the conflict of crises. How can we ensure climate action without unintentionally worsening other crises? The panel discussed the current climate crisis, extinction crisis and future food security.
- The energy transition is not only about technology, also it is about relationships and understanding. A successful transition will require collaboration, adaptability, and thoughtful consideration of diverse stakeholders.
As the renewable landscape evolves, so must our approach.
Let’s continue learning together and paving the way for positive change.
Celebrating World Population Day: Unleashing the Power of Gender Equality!
Today, on World Population Day, we are proud to join the global community in acknowledging the importance of creating a world where everyone’s voice is heard, respected, and uplifted. We are an all-woman team who champion inclusivity and advocate for the communities we work with.
Gender equality is not just a concept; it is a transformative force that paves the way for progress. By empowering and uplifting the voices of women and girls, we can unlock innovative solutions and create sustainable change in our communities. When women and girls are actively involved in decision-making processes, their unique perspectives lead to better outcomes.
We believe that meaningful community engagement means everyone’s experiences and opinions are valued.
Join us in celebrating the power of gender equality – not just today but every day. The theme for today is Unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock our world’s infinite possibilities.
International Womens Day 2022: Breaking the Bias with PIA
Last week we attended the Planning Institute of Australia Women in Planning Breakfast (postponed from International Women’s Day) and we’ve been continuing to reflect.
Our favourite story was about Blanche Stuart Scott, a trailblazing woman in American aviation. Blanche was receiving flying lessons from a male pilot and as she progressed, she couldn’t understand why she was unable to pilot the plane into take-off. As it turns out, her teacher had put a block of wood behind the throttle to prevent her from gaining enough speed to take off, thinking he was protecting her from the danger of flying.
Think about that for a minute.
Instead of just one day a year, we should all be committed to thinking every day about breaking the bias.
Leisa Prowse FIAP2
We are thrilled to share that IAP2 Australasia has appointed Leisa as one of its inaugural Fellows.
“This punctuation mark has caused me to reflect on my career. I am so grateful for the diverse project experiences I have enjoyed, and the amazing people I have had the privilege to work with. I am especially grateful to the community members who provided feedback on the draft Livable Brisbane report in 1993: reading and responding to that feedback is what got me started on this journey.” – Leisa Prowse
In 2020, we took face-to-face engagement online
… our clients and stakeholders fully embraced it!
We’d go so far as to say we increased engagement levels and heard from people who would not usually engage on projects.
Feedback we received supports us on this:
“We were still able to have meaningful conversations and discussions, including breaking into smaller groups. Everyone had a chance to have their say and to respond to issues. We had some great brainstorming sessions and prioritisation activities.”
“The online sessions that Leisa Prowse Consulting organised and coordinated…allowed a more diverse and long-lasting engagement tool that continues to provide valuable project information to the community.”
“The convenience, accessibility and anonymity allowed more people to attend the sessions, ask questions in an open forum and have them adequately answered. Being able to record the sessions and have them available online… is an ongoing benefit”.
Yes, 2020 certainly provided challenges and opportunities. Globally, the adoption of digital tools took a quantum leap presenting a valuable opportunity to replicate our valued face-to-face engagement process in an online environment.
When COVID restrictions came in, many of our projects were in the middle of a committed face-to-face stakeholder engagement schedule. To address this, we creatively used online tools to replicate face-to-face activities. This meant that we were able to change the format of our forums without compromising the outcomes we normally achieve face-to-face. Importantly, we continued to help our client’s to have the conversations that make a difference to their projects.
Barriers to online engagement were identified and overcome by collaborating with our clients to ensure goals and outcomes were met. We also recognised digital literacy differences and we took the time to listen with empathy and help community members and stakeholders through the digital process.
Talk to us, Leisa Prowse Consulting is committed to using the best blend of traditional and digital tools to create environments that nurture meaningful discussions with your communities and stakeholders. We strive to help clients enhance their reach and uncover new perspectives about their projects, at a time when confidence and reliability is essential.
IAP2 Australasia Core Values Awards Winners 2020
The annual IAP2 Australasia Core Values Awards ceremony was held on Tuesday 17 November 2020. During the ceremony, the IAP2 Australia Core Values Awards Winners for 2020 were announced. The Core Values Awards are an annual celebration to build awareness, contribute to the practice and recognise examples of excellence in public participation and community engagement within the Australasian region.
As a Lead Judge, our Director, Leisa Prowse was involved with reviewing applications helping to decide the winners of the Australasian Organisation of the Year and Project of the Year awards. Australasian Organisation of the Year was awarded to Melbourne Water for their Next Generation Engagement at Melbourne Water Project. Australasian Project of the Year was awarded to City of Sydney for their Planning for 2050 project .
Leisa Prowse Consulting extends our congratulations to all winners and applicants across each of the ten categories. Leisa says that it was a pleasure to be involved in the judging process and to be part of the recognition of the exciting work going into creating outstanding engagement processes throughout the Australasian region.
Calls for community-level planning to manage Australia’s increasing flood risk
Insurance Business Australia has released an article outlining the recent announcement by IAG and the Geneva Association, urging flood risk managers to collaborate with their communities to manage flood risk as Australia approaches storm season.
The frequency and intensity of flooding events and other natural disasters continue to increase, as an impact of climate change. “A new Geneva Association report, developed in partnership with IAG, emphasised that flooding is Australia’s costliest natural hazard-related cause of disaster when tangible and intangible losses are taken into account”.
IAG and the Geneva Association strongly encourage engagement with communities to better prepare communities for flood events and slow the growth of flood risk.
Leisa Prowse Consulting has seen firsthand the benefits of engaging with local communities in response to hazard and risk management, where the value of tapping into local insights and creating lasting relationships with communities has created positive change.
Virtual Moreland, Winner of The Urban Developer’s Excellence in Community Engagement award
During December 2020, The Urban Developer announced the winners and finalists of The Urban Developer’s Awards for Industry Excellence. These awards were presented in association with Construction Industry Solutions (COINS) to recognise the best of urban development from across Australia and New Zealand.
Across two streams, Industry Excellence and Development of the Year, 20 awards were presented, including the Excellence in Community Engagement award. The award was presented to Virtual Moreland, nominated by Moreland City Council.
The Virtual Moreland Project brought together digital technologies, including 3D mapping and modelling, Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality, to provide the community with interactive and futuristic engagement tools. These tools allowed the community to immerse themselves in virtual streetscapes to inform internal planning process, inspire the community and generate high quality outcomes.
Leisa Prowse Consulting would like to congratulate Moreland City Council on this award, and the five finalists in this category. We also extend our congratulations to The Urban Developer for continuing to recognise and celebrate community engagement as a fundamental component of the ongoing development of our cities and places.