Toowoomba Regional Council’s (TRC) flood management project last night added a prestigious Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) national award to its list of honours.
TRC’s Toowoomba Region Flood Management – Safer Stronger, More Resilient Region project was awarded the national Hard Won Victory honour at PIA’s National Awards for Planning Excellence 2019 at the Gold Coast. Council was represented by Deputy Mayor and Infrastructure Services Committee chair Cr Carol Taylor, Planning and Development Committee chair Cr Chris Tait and Strategic Planning and Economic Development portfolio leader Cr Anne Glasheen, Infrastructure Services General Manager Mike Brady and two senior Planning and Development officers at the awards function.
The Hard Won Victory Award recognises innovative solutions, significant effort, and leadership to overcome a planning challenge. It acknowledges the achievement of positive planning benefits that shape the future of the community and build resilience. It highlights the complex nature of the project, extensive collaboration and consultation undertaken, and use of the latest technology to provide a sound evidence base for hazard planning.
Cr Glasheen said Council initiated the project in the wake of the destructive 2010/2011 flood events that resulted in three deaths in the Toowoomba Region and significant and widespread damage to public and private infrastructure.
“The award recognises a hard won victory that was achieved in partnership with the community, the Insurance Council of Australia, the Real Estate Institute of Queensland, development industry and flood management, agriculture and emergency services sectors,” Cr Glasheen said.
Cr Taylor said the Flood Risk Assessment Planning Evaluation and Scheme Amendment (FRAPESA) project was at the core of this work.
“FRAPESA delivered multiple flood studies for 30 townships, the Condamine River catchment and comprehensive recommendations to better regulate development within flood risk areas to protect people, property, infrastructure and the environment from flooding,” Cr Taylor said.
Featured Image Caption: Mike Brady, Cr Anne Glasheen, Deputy Mayor Cr Carol Taylor, Heath Martin, Michelle Milton and Planning & Cr Chris Tait
