About the Award
The Outstanding Woman in Planning Award recognises women’s contributions to planning outcomes, policy and practice.
This award is presented to a female planner who has made an outstanding contribution to planning in SA in the preceding 24 months. Nomination criteria include: an outstanding commitment to professional work; an outstanding contribution in leadership, operational, volunteering and mentoring roles within South Australia; and strong support for women in the related natural and built environment profession(s).
Eligibility
The Outstanding Woman In Planning Award is an individual award and women planners at any career stage and across all career levels are eligible for nomination. This includes roles in leadership, operational, volunteering and mentoring. PIA membership is not a requirement for nomination. We invite you to nominate yourself, a female colleague, friend or peer. Self-nomination is welcomed but must be accompanied by three independent testimonials.
PIA WIPN Committee members are not eligible for nomination.
Selection Criteria
This Award recognises and promotes the outstanding contribution made by a woman at any level of their career, and who exemplifies a holistic approach to her work through commitment to professional outcomes to improve liveability, and support of other women to achieve greater diversity within the planning profession and related natural and built environment sectors.
CRITERIA 1: TELL US ABOUT THE IMPACT THE NOMINEE HAS HAD ON PROJECT OR ORGANISATIONAL PLANNING [up to 350 words]
Describe how the nominee demonstrated their impact on, or achievement in, recent planning work within South Australia in the preceding 12-24 months. Describe their contribution to project, activity or operational based aspects of planning, how they worked towards achieving it, and the impact it had. This may include any challenges the nominee has faced and how they were overcome. The nominee’s involvement could be at any level and could include paid or volunteer work.
CRITERIA 2: TELL US ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE NOMINEE REGARDING THE PLANNING PROFESSION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA [up to 500 words]
Describe how the nominee provided leadership and has made an important recent contribution to, or achievement in advancing the planning profession. Describe their contribution and how they have worked towards achieving it. This may include any challenges the nominee has faced and how they were overcome. The nominee could be at any level of their career and their contribution could be in leadership, volunteering, operational improvements, mentoring, advocacy and so on.
Describe instances or projects which demonstrate the nominee's thought leadership to help grow or advance planning practice.
CRITERIA 3: TELL US ABOUT HOW THE NOMINEE HAS SUPPORTED WOMEN IN THE PLANNING PROFESSION [up to 350 words]
Describe the impact that the nominee has had in supporting and championing women in the planning profession, at either the local, regional, State or national levels. This may include the following examples:
• Championing greater diversity and inclusivity for women in the planning profession and demonstrating action or leadership in this area;
• Directly influencing or leading a planning outcome in the built environment that demonstrates improved gender inclusivity, or a more equitable or safer environment for women;
• Encouraging and empowering women in the planning profession or female students through the establishment of organisation policies or initiatives, by initiating legislative changes or other changes to an organisational structure benefiting women;
• Being a shining example of ‘If I can see, I can do’ and paving the way for future women in the profession. This could include successfully breaking barriers with a ‘first’ for women in the planning profession, or being a strong advocate and sharing successes with emerging planners.
Key Dates
Nominations close: Monday, 2 February 2026 - NOMINATIONS NOW CLOSED
Award Ceremony: Thursday, 5 March 2026 - REGISTRATIONS NOW CLOSED
Award Ceremony
The SA Women in Planning Network Committee are excited to once again host the PIA SA Outstanding Woman In Planning Award Ceremony, where the South Australian planning community comes together to acknowledge and celebrate the amazing contributions of women planners to the profession and to our state.
The Outstanding Woman in Planning Award recognises women’s contributions to planning outcomes, policy and practice.
This award is presented to a female planner who has made an outstanding contribution to planning in SA in the preceding 24 months. Nomination criteria include: an outstanding commitment to professional work; an outstanding contribution in leadership, operational, volunteering and mentoring roles within South Australia; and strong support for women in the related natural and built environment profession(s).
Join us at the elegant Crowne Plaza Hotel for a dynamic panel session centered on women in the sporting world, followed by an afternoon of networking drinks with your colleagues and peers. Full tables available at PIA member pricing for all attendees!
Full tables available at discounted member rates.
Please note this is not a women’s only event, we invite you all to come and support us in celebrating their achievements!
