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Planner Spotlight

Meet the planners who help shape our cities, towns and communities.


As part of PIA’s 75th anniversary, we spoke with planners from across Australia about what drew them to the profession, the projects that shaped their careers, and their hopes for the future of planning. Have a story to tell about your journey as a planner? Get involved here.

Sandy has been involved with the Institute for 50 years as of 2026! She comes with a wealth of experience, insights and reflections of PIA and the profession.

Sandy Vigar RPIA (Life Fellow)

First female PIA National President

Read and watch here

Gary Shiels, a Registered Planner Life Fellow and AM, reflects on a career helping shape the planning profession and his role in the Planning Institute of Australia over the decades.

Dr Gary Shiels AM, RPIA (Life Fellow)

Managing Director, GSA Planning
Past National President (1989 - 1991)

Watch here

A long-time member of the Planning Institute of Australia, Doug shares how collaboration through the profession has helped shape cities - and his career.

Doug Lesh, MPIA (Fellow)

Executive Director of Planning, Department of Lands, Planning and Environment

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A Life Fellow, long-term member, and member of PIA's Planning with Country Knowledge Circle, Ed will share his reflections on the past 75 years of PIA.

Dr Ed Wensing (Life Fellow) FPIA FHEA

Associate and Special Adviser, SGS Economics and Planning
Research Fellow, City Futures Research Centre Fellow, UNSW

Coming soon

An Emerging Planner who's played a key role in the Queensland Emerging Planners Network, Teah reflects on her budding career and how being part of PIA has helped open the doors to new opportunities

Teah Hammet PIA (Assoc.)

Consultant, CRED Consulting

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Michelle is a founding member of the PIA Planning with Country Knowledge Circle and hosts the Allies Community of Practice Yarns nationally 

Michelle Howard MPIA (Fellow)

Managing Director, Collaborations

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The 2025 ACT Emerging Planner of the Year, Russell, reflects on his career so far and how being involved with PIA has lead to new connections and opportunities within the profession.

Russell Coldicutt PIA (Assoc.)

Development Manager, Suburban Land Agency
ACT Emerging Planners Convenor

Watch here

As a town planner, architect, and city manager, Dr Michael Llewellyn-Smith has helped to shape cities in Australia and overseas.

Dr Michael Llewellyn-Smith AM, MPIA (Life Fellow)

Managing Director, Llewellyns International

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Amanda has played an integral role in the Western Australian division of PIA, serving as its President between 2022 and 2024.

Amanda Sheers MPIA

Director Planning & Development, City of Stirling
Past PIA WA President

Read here

Historical Photo: Queensland Division Committee.

Membership of a progressive professional association like PIA links the individual to a wider framework of shared (and sometimes debated)  visions, broader individual responsibilities and opportunities, appropriate standards of behaviour, and awareness of past and future legacies. As a responsive mid-sized organisation, PIA has been able to evolve with the times adding value through advocacy, CPD, education, and recognising excellence.
 
Dr Robert Freestone RPIA (Fellow)
UNSW Sydney
 

It’s hard to imagine the planning profession in Australia without the Planning Institute of Australia. As a long-time member, it feels like a steady guiding force that has brought us together and helped us grow. Even beyond its membership, I think PIA provides a sense of confidence and support that underpins the entire profession.

Vicki Lummer RPIA (Fellow)

Diana McKinlay and Right Honourable Jim Soorley-Lord Mayor of Brisbane.

The future of the Planning Institute of Australia has its foundations 75 years ago.  Celebrating 75 years, gives us an opportunity  to reflect on our past and consider what can we learn to help shape the future of planning and PIA.  I have always been most proud that PIA represents the public interest that should underpin all planning.

At a time when the planning systems have become more and more privatised and influenced by those with a vested interest our voice representing the public interest needs to be heard and listened to.  This will require us to be bold in the policy we adopt, the advocacy we promote and the alliances we create.   I know we are up to this challenge.

Sue Weatherley MPIA (Fellow)


Plenary Session at Planning Congress 2016, Brisbane.

Emerging Planners promoting the Become A Planner brand at UQ Open Day. 

Yarn with PIA's Knowledge Circle at Planning Congress 2023, Adelaide.

The legacy of planning should be that our communities are better off for having planning.  That we have changed their future for the better.  That is our challenge – and our joy. 

Sandy Vigar RPIA (Life Fellow)

Phil Heywood MPIA (Life Fellow) & Chris Buckley MPIA (Life Fellow).

Credit: Sandy Vigar RPIA (Life Fellow).

PIA has created a space where even from a remote location like the Territory, planners can share ideas, challenge one another, and feel supported.

Doug Lesh MPIA (Fellow)

Dyan Currie AM RPIA (Life Fellow) Welcome Address at the 2013 National Planning Congress.

Winners of the 2025 NSW Awards for Planning Excellence.

PIA works really hard to advocate for best practice and to advance the profession in positive direction, and it’s really amazing to be a part of the PIA community to contribute to something bigger than yourself and overall, a better world.

Teah Hammet PIA (Assoc.)

2003: Darryl Low Choy RPIA (Fellow) & John Brannock MPIA (Life Fellow).

PIA Staff at Planning Congress 2025 in Darwin, Garramilla. 

My advice to someone considering a career in planning is to always be honest, always be committed, and always be objective.

Dr Gary Shiels AM RPIA (Life Fellow)

More voices of planning

We’ll be sharing highlights from these conversations throughout the year as we celebrate 75 years of planning in Australia.

Follow along on Instagram   Follow along on LinkedIn  Check out more photos from PIA events over the years