PIA has been working across Australia to ensure the planning profession is helping shape the reforms, investment and decisions that will determine how our communities grow.
Over recent weeks, we have brought planners directly into conversations with ministers and senior decision-makers, influenced emerging reforms, responded to national announcements and strengthened the profession’s voice in the public debate.
Shaping the housing debate
PIA National President Emma Riley RPIA (Fellow) has challenged the idea that Australia must choose between building more homes and creating great places.
In an opinion piece published by The New Daily, Emma argues that too often public debates frame these goals as being in conflict, when in reality, good planning is about finding ways to achieve them together.
Read Emma’s opinion piece
PIA Senior Executive of Policy and Advocacy Jo McClellan MPIA also joined the housing debate appearing on ABC Radio and in the Sydney Morning Herald, explaining how build-to-rent can broaden Australia’s housing mix and help turn approvals into homes.
At a time when apartment commencements are slowing, build-to-rent can bring forward projects without relying on traditional pre-sale models. Jo also reinforced that good planning, design and long-term stewardship are essential if these developments are to provide quality, secure and well-located homes.
Read the Sydney Morning Herald article
Bringing the profession into the room
PIA welcomed the Hon. Christopher Bishop MP, New Zealand’s Minister for Housing, Infrastructure, Planning Reform and Transport, for a roundtable with the planning profession in Adelaide.
The discussion explored the major planning reforms underway in New Zealand and South Australia, creating an opportunity for governments and practitioners to exchange ideas about enabling more homes and jobs in well-planned communities.
PIA also met with Senator the Hon. James McGrath, Shadow Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Cities. National Co-Vice President Stephen Smith RPIA (Fellow), South Australian President Cate Hart RPIA (Life Fellow) and SA State Manager Jane Strange RPIA discussed PIA’s Growing Well report and our submission to the Productivity Commission’s housing supply regulation inquiry.
The conversation focused on how Australia can plan for growth, enable more homes and better align housing with infrastructure, services, jobs and amenity.
In New South Wales, PIA convened a boardroom lunch with Planning Minister the Hon. Paul Scully MP, bringing together representatives from planning, government and development to discuss the practical work required to translate reform into housing outcomes.
These conversations give decision-makers direct access to the experience of planners working across Australia’s housing and development system.
Influencing the $2 billion Local Infrastructure Fund
PIA has participated in a series of multilateral meetings with federal and state governments on the reforms linked to the Australian Government’s $2 billion Local Infrastructure Fund.
States and territories are negotiating commitments aimed at:
- Delivering faster and simpler approvals.
- Making more land available and ready for housing.
- Establishing a simpler and more nationally consistent construction code.
The Fund will be delivered through two $1 billion rounds. Applications for the first round are expected to open later this year, with the second round anticipated in mid-2027.
Projects will be assessed according to the number of well-located homes they unlock relative to the investment required and the timeframe for delivery. Preference will be given to infrastructure that can be completed by 30 June 2029.
PIA’s involvement gives the planning profession an important opportunity to influence how reform commitments can deliver better planning systems. Our message is clear: housing targets cannot be achieved through approval reform alone. New homes need coordinated infrastructure investment and strategic planning that aligns growth with investment.
Helping shape national standards for data centres
PIA welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement that the Australian Government will work with states and territories to develop national standards for AI infrastructure, including data centres.
PIA has been building the evidence base for this work through our member guidance on planning for data centres and our submission to the Senate inquiry into AI infrastructure.
We are advocating for standards that:
- Establish nationally consistent expectations for energy efficiency, water use, climate resilience and infrastructure impacts.
- Support states and territories to modernise their planning frameworks.
- Create a national evidence base to monitor cumulative impacts on energy, water, land and infrastructure.
- Ensure data centres are well-located and planned alongside other national priorities, including housing and employment growth.
PIA looks forward to working with governments and our members as the standards are developed and considered by National Cabinet.
Read PIA’s response
Influencing reforms across the states and territories
PIA’s sustained advocacy is also being reflected in reform proposals around Australia.
In the Northern Territory, PIA President Rory Mackay MPIA joined ABC Radio Darwin to discuss proposed reforms for infill development and subdivision in low-density residential areas. PIA has welcomed the balanced, evidence-based approach, with many recommendations aligning with our submission and ongoing advocacy. Listen to a snippet of the radio interview
In Western Australia, PIA welcomed the proposed changes to the R-Codes, which were announced at a PIA event with the Planning Minister. PIA has contributed through the expert advisory process and is encouraged to see principles advocated by the profession reflected in the package, including simpler approval pathways, greater housing diversity and gentle density in established communities. WA President Cameron Leckey MPIA was featured in the ABC news article
In Victoria, PIA responded to the release of final planning controls for 23 train and tram zone activity centres and precinct structure plans for six Suburban Rail Loop stations. PIA welcomed the focus on enabling more homes close to public transport, employment and services, while making clear that the success of the reforms will depend on implementation. We called for housing growth to be supported by quality design, green space, community infrastructure, walkable streets, active transport connections and service upgrades. Read PIA’s response to the Activity Centre announcements
PIA will continue advocating to ensure good planning delivers more homes in the right locations and supports well-designed, liveable communities.
Making the value of planning visible
Our advocacy is also about strengthening public understanding of what planning achieves.
Through PIA’s Built on Planning series, we have shared eight stories showing how planning has revitalised city centres, enabled tens of thousands of homes, supported new forms of social and affordable housing, improved decision-making and delivered better neighbourhoods.
Great places do not happen by chance. They are built on planning.
Explore the Built on Planning series
During NAIDOC Week, PIA also encouraged planners to deepen their understanding of Country, culture and community through our growing Planning with Country Knowledge and Resources Library. The collection now includes more than 50 resources to support learning, reflection and better planning practice.
Explore the Planning with Country library
Across meetings, submissions, media and reform processes, PIA continues to put the profession’s expertise before decision-makers and advocate for planning systems that enable more homes, stronger communities and better places.