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Coastal Planning Information Package

Development assessment and policy planners frequently grapple with coastal and marine issues, and often do not know the best way to manage development along the coast.

In response to this, URPS was engaged by the Coastal Management Branch to develop the Coastal Planning Information Package. This easy-to-read information package aims to raise awareness about the role of the Coast Protection Board, which is the statutory authority responsible for managing the state's coastline. The role of the Board is poorly understood among planners, despite their responsibility to administer the Coast Protection Act 1972, interpret the relevant legislation, and respond to referrals for development on coastal land.

The package contains checklists for both applicants and development assessment planners, which aim to ensure that the appropriate level of information is provided with development applications. Helping applicants provide the correct information in the first instance greatly assists in determining whether or not a referral to the Board is required.

The package also helps policy planners by ensuring that the right issues are considered when preparing zone policy for inclusion in Development Plans.

The 'Frequently Asked Questions' section provides easy-to-find information about common issues faced by council planners and applicants regarding development in coastal areas.

Although this package relates specifically to coastal development, we are also skilled in preparing similar information packages about a range of issues. For example we can prepare instruction manuals, flow charts, checklists, standardised forms, template letters and information sheets to assist organisations and the wider community to understand a range of issues and to work within various legislative environments.

Innovation is important to us at URPS. We like to 'push boundaries’ where appropriate. It keeps us on our toes and delivers the best possible outcomes for our clients who have to adapt to constant change. This is why we take such pride in winning PIA Awards – they provide evidence of our success in striving for innovation.

We were delighted to receive a commendation at the PIA SA 2011 Awards for Planning Excellence for the Mount Barker Town Centre Community Engagement Project – our 15th PIA Award/Commendation over the past 9 years.

A genuinely collaborative project, staff from Mount Barker Council worked closely with the URPS team to deliver a range of engagement techniques carefully targeted to the various audiences. According to the awards publication, "the judges were impressed by the extent of the community engagement process and the use of a wide variety of consultation mediums, including social media, a youth ‘walk out and talk out’ session and a series of 'speak out’ sessions".

We were also delighted to celebrate Marcus Rolfe's elevation to the position of Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia at the Awards evening. The elevation recognises Marcus' ongoing contribution to the planning profession.

URPS Director Nicole Halsey has recently been appointed as a member of the Premier's Climate Change Council and the Board of Renewables SA.

The primary function of the Climate Change Council is to provide independent advice to the Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change about matters related to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change. The Council also takes a leading role in consulting with business, the environment / conservation sector and the wider community on climate change issues.

Key elements of the charter of Renewables SA include:

We look forward to supporting Nicole in these significant roles.

URPS and Natalie Fuller and Associates, together with a team of dedicated staff and volunteers at the City of Salisbury, recently held a "Street Talk" event outside the Len Beadell library for the Salisbury Town Centre Renewal Project.

Over 500 people participated, providing their views on what they like about the Town Centre, what can be improved and how they would like to see it develop in the future.

The Manager Urban Development at the City of Salisbury, Harry Pitrans, described this as a "very successful day for the City of Salisbury", also praising "the opportunity we provided to support the team of engagement volunteers" and our "professionalism and fun during the day".

We would also like to extend our thanks to the engagement team of Brian Pledger, Janine Harding, Jo Lasham, Julie Fyfe, Kate Naumann, Michelle Tucker, Tammie Hamilton and Hiroe Terao.

This type of successful community engagement will have a significant positive impact on the development and delivery of the Town Centre Renewal Project.