Landcom has won the top prize from the Planning Institute of Australia as well as four awards and two commendations for its projects.
An innovative new learning program created by Landcom, which teaches primary school students about the built environment, won the President’s Prize and the category for Planning Scholarship, Research or Teaching at the 2006 PIA NSW Awards for Excellence.
Landcom’s managing director Sean O’Toole said the My Neighbourhood teaching resource is a truly unique teaching resource which aims to provide primary school students with some early lessons in planning.
“The interactive computer-based teaching kit has been rolled out to 2,600 NSW primary schools and is helping to raise awareness about the built environment and creating sustainable communities.
“Students can learn about what makes a place, what impacts on the character of a neighbourhood and what can influence planning decisions,” he added.
In addition Landcom won the following awards:
• Environmental Planning or Conservation:
Second Ponds Creek Second Ponds Creek is a new residential development under construction at Kellyville Ridge. The first of 3,200 home sites are due for release next year. Initiatives include a major landscape restoration project with Greening Australia and construction of a Sustainable Living Centre with Australand.
• Urban Design – Plans and Ideas:
Street Design Guidelines Landcom’s new Street Design Guidelines promote best practice in designing new suburban streets in residential developments.
Commendations were received for:
• Rural and Regional Planning:
Renwick Renwick is a future residential development of up to 600 lots near Mittagong in the Southern Highlands. The development has been planned, with extensive community consultation, to create a village-style neighbourhood in keeping with the rural setting.
• Urban Design – Plans and Ideas:
New Rouse Hill
This was jointly awarded to Lend Lease, The GPT Group, Landcom and the Department of Planning for their joint planning of a new regional centre in Sydney’s north-west. It will comprise a major Town Centre, community facilities and up to 1800 new dwellings.
O’Toole said this was an outstanding achievement for Landcom in its drive to influence urban design and sustainability outcomes for new residential developments in NSW.
by Nelson Yap
