City of Melbourne & City of Sydney Share Major Planning Award

Tuesday 31 March 2009

The Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) has bestowed its coveted President’s Award jointly on the City of Melbourne and the City of Sydney for their separate leadership roles in advancing national agendas of sustainability, transport planning and social infrastructure in major cities.

The Award, presented yesterday evening – Monday 30 March 2009, at the PIA’s 2009 Annual Congress in Darwin, is for both the Future Melbourne Community Plan and the Sustainable Sydney 2030 Vision.

Although regarded as traditional rivals, Melbourne and Sydney both recognise the vital need for sustainable development in the physical environment, the economy, society and culture. The award highlights that the cities have addressed these issues with bold ideas and good governance.

Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said that he was delighted the Planning Institute of Australia had recognised both cities for their unique approaches to developing a community driven plan for the future of both cities.

“Future Melbourne has been the most ambitious community consultation project ever undertaken by the City of Melbourne and, indeed, by a local government organisation. The plan outlines the key goals and challenges for the city’s future. The extensive community engagement undertaken in the development process has ensured that it is a rich and robust plan that really represents the community’s vision for our city. The Presidents Award recognises the achievements of both cities in developing long-term plans for the future direction of all aspects of city life.”

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said that both cities were both committed to environmental leadership and the C40 Climate Leadership group – a group of 40 international cities addressing climate change.

“The Sustainable Sydney 2030 vision is one for a green, global and connected city and was developed in consultation with the community and a team of Sydney’s best minds in urban planning, architecture and design. This award acknowledges that City Governments are the experts in urban planning, and that both the City of Sydney and the City of Melbourne are world leaders in strategic thinking, planning and community engagement.”

Mr Doyle and Ms Moore jointly added, “It is vital that we act now for a sustainable future and all Australians have a stake in the future. Both the Future Melbourne Community Plan and Sustainable Sydney 2030 are about addressing challenges, protecting our best attributes and working for a shared vision for the future.

Together these plans demonstrate national and international leadership on the future of our cities and their economies. They provide a blueprint for infrastructure spending and collaboration between local, state and federal governments not only to stimulate the economy in the short term, but to provide for a lasting sustainable legacy into the future.”

Further information on Future Melbourne is available at: www.futuremelbourne.com.au

For further media information, please contact:

Melissa Tagget, Media Adviser, City of Melbourne Ph: (03) 9658 9740 / 0448 334 765 Email: melissa.tagget@melbourne.vic.gov.au

Duncan Fine, Media Contact, City of Sydney Ph: 0410 335 258 Email: dfine@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au