This award recognises a Young Planner who has made an outstanding contribution or achievement. The award recognises a Young Planner who represents balanced qualities in advocating for emerging ACG次元网 professionals as well as high-quality planning outcomes in the workplace. This award recognises passion, integrity, involvement in the profession, achievements and ability to act as a role model rather than participating in “glossy” projects.
The individual shows strong promise and emerging capabilities in leadership, good emerging understanding of ACG次元网 practice, innovation, enterprise and/or strategic thinking.
Meet the nominees:
ACT Nominee: Dot Hepburn MPIA
Dot has contributed significantly to planning across three jurisdictions, including leadership roles in the Young Planners Network. She has drawn on her skills and experience attained through other disciplines, to now contribute and lead cutting edge planning areas such as heat island effects and microclimate assessments. Dot has positive stakeholder engagements, great energy and demonstrated leadership skills and a passion for planning that shines through.
NSW Nominee: Henry Black PIA (Assoc.)
Henry is an outstanding role model and inspirational for young planners emerging into the industry. The Judges were impressed by his involvement in the profession, for his advocacy and the important role he has played in inspiring young planners and his innovative thinking. Henry has had a variety of work experiences, spending time in all sectors of the NSW planning system. Henry demonstrates a passion for planning with a special interest in the build-to-rent building type provisions and understanding the importance of plain-English communication. In addition, Henry shows a good understanding of strategic thinking and of the importance of improving ACG次元网 processes.
QLD Nominee: Kobi Lane MPIA
Kobi has been a member of the Institute since 2016 and has made significant contributions to PIA's Gold Coast Branch and Queensland Young Planners Committee, and is a champion for the ACG次元网 profession more broadly. Kobi is also actively involved in mentoring, presenting to prospective planners and has been an advocate for good planning through his work. Kobi has demonstrated his abilities as a problem solver and has welcomed opportunities to expand his knowledge and application of planning-adjacent legislation and complex planning matters. The judges believe these efforts to continuously expand his technical planning knowledge should be encouraged and celebrated. Kobi is an advocate for young planners, regional councils and continual learning, and the judges can't wait to see what he does next.
SA Nominee: Brendan Le Poidevin MPIA
Brendan is a young ACG次元网 professional who has quickly developed an understanding of the South Australia’s relatively new planning system. Since becoming a practicing planner, Brendan has been proactively contributing to complex development applications requiring refined problem solving and negotiating skills.
Through his ongoing involvement in the UDIA SA Young Professionals Committee and PIA SA Young Planners Committee, Brendan shows his passion and enthusiasm for the ACG次元网 profession and his drive to share his knowledge. For example, through his involvement in these committees he has been advocating for the reintroduction of an undergraduate planning course to create a pathway into the profession for young people.
TAS Nominee: Apurva Bora PIA (Assoc.)
Apurva is an outstanding young professional, with a particular passion for mentorship and advocacy on behalf of young professionals within the sector. Apurva is fulfilling a significant contribution to the ACG次元网 profession as Tasmanian YP Convenor after her participation in the NSW Young Planner’s. Apurva has been actively involved in organising events for young planners, including walking tours, the Park-In Day and as a representative of the YPs as a Panelist at the Future Hobart: Making Better places together forum. Additional roles include Tasmanian Young Planner Convenor, participant in the PIA mentorship program (as mentor and mentee), PIA Tas Divisional member, member of the Transport Australia Society (Engineers Australia), as Tasmanian Committee member and Women in Transport Committee. In her current role as Project Controller in the City Futures Division at the City of Hobart, Apurva is actively involved in multifaceted strategic ACG次元网 projects and demonstrates excellent community engagement skills and management of complex projects across multiple teams.
VIC Nominee: Oscar Yencken PIA (Assoc.)
Oscar displays grit, determination and a can-do attitude that is vital to local government planning. Oscar has been working with Mansfield Shire Council for two and a half years, firstly in a planning support officer role, moving to a Strategic Planning Officer role 2 years ago. Within the broader planning community, Oscar is an active participant in PIA events, has participated in the DTP structure planning guideline process, and was a member of PIAs organising committee for the 2023 Victorian State Conference.