The 2026 Outstanding Woman in Planning Award winners have been announced.
This year, two awards are conferred, recognising two quiet but prolific achievers grappling with serious planning issues, leading their respective Councils and communities through challenging circumstances, each day modelling the spirit of impact, contribution and support this award seeks to recognise.
The judges wish to sincerely acknowledge the exemplar women who were finalists this year, each one very worthy of recognition in their own right. It was an enormously difficult decision.
2026 Joint Winners
About the Award
This award provides an opportunity to celebrate the contribution that women planners make to our profession, our communities, and to the outcomes of planning work in Queensland, and the lasting legacy they provide.
This award is about valuing and promoting the outstanding positive contribution made by these leaders and emerging leaders in the planning sector.
Entry in the Queensland Outstanding Woman in Planning Award is free, and both self-nomination and third-party nominations are acceptable. If you are nominating on behalf of someone else, it is highly desirable they are made aware of the nomination.
We welcome the nomination of candidates from all age groups and from a range of professional experiences.
Key Dates
Nominations Open Monday 17 November 2025
Nominations Close Tuesday 27 January 2026 @ 5PM
WiPN Breakfast Wednesday 25 February 2026
Eligibility
- Queensland WiPN Committee Members are ineligible for the Award.
- Nominees should be a member of PIA and/or eligible for Full/ Registered Planner/ Graduate Membership.
- Nominees are reminded that formatting or presentation of entries does not have any weighting but should be of a sufficient standard to assess the nomination.
- Other material relevant to support the application may also be uploaded as attachments/supporting information.
Criteria
- Completed and signed online nomination form.
- Profile images (minimum of one/ maximum of three – must be high quality).
- Addressing each of the selection and judging criteria in the online application - All entries must comply with the word limit listed in the nomination guidelines.
- Attachments/ supporting information (i.e. testimonials & referees).
Prize
- The Women in Planning Network Award;
- A PIA voucher for 2026, able to be put towards PIA Queensland events (including WiPN events, State Conference etc);
- Two (2) mentoring sessions with recognised female industry leaders.
Announcement
All finalists are recommended to attend the Qld WiPN International Women’s Day Breakfast to be held in Brisbane on Wednesday 25 February 2026.