Community forum to tackle SEQ planning challenges

The SEQ planning challenges forum will be at Griffith University’s South Bank campus (location shown in the red box)

Rapid population growth, a changing climate and delivering the 2032 Olympics are some of the key SEQ planning challenges to be tackled at a community forum in Brisbane on Saturday 15^th October.

Ahead of the State Government’s Housing Summit, this community forum will discuss how planning laws and policies could be improved to better achieve objectives such as housing affordability, flood resilience and environmental sustainability.

With South East Queensland (SEQ) already experiencing compounding pressures, this one-day event is organised by the South East Queensland Community Alliance (SEQCA) with cooperation from Griffith University.

This forum is for people living in south east Queensland to discuss choices that will affect the quality of life in our region over the next few decades said SEQCA President Mr Chris Walker.

“We have a packed program of speakers including planning experts and community advocates but there will also be opportunities for people to ask questions and raise concerns” he said.

The forum will be held at the Southbank campus of Griffith University, next to Southbank parklands – very accessible to people using public transport.

The admission price is only $10.00 (less if you book online).

Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Orange Sky Laundry, providing practical assistance to people who happen to be homeless.

Planning for the community: Issues, opportunities and solutions

Saturday 15 October 2022 from 9:00am to 3:30PM

South Bank campus of Griffith University

Planning for the community: Issues, opportunities and solutions

A community run forum to explore the community’s role, interests and questions about strategic planning issues across Southeast Queensland.

SEQ Planning Challenges – Program

9.00 am: Welcome and Introduction Mr Chris Walker, President, Southeast Queensland Community Alliance (SECQA)

9.10 – 9.30 am: Key note address Mr Martin Reason, Executive Director, Regional & Spatial Planning, QLD Dept. State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government & Planning

9.30 – 11.00 am: Regional and strategic planning issues: The good, the bad and the ugly.

Panel chair: Mr John Brannock

In this session we will explore some of the planning issues associated with a growing region.  Speakers in this session will address:

• Two decades of regional planning in SEQ – what has it delivered?
• Priority development areas and new communities – do they meet the needs of residents?
• Housing affordability – how will the 2032 Olympics impact affordable housing supply?
• Housing supply – is the missing middle still missing?
• Flood resilience and land use planning for SEQ- principles and practice.

Confirmed speakers: Mr John Freeman (former Mayor, Logan City Council); Ms Natalie Raymont (Wolter Consulting Group); Ms Fiona Caniglia (Q Shelter); Ms Shannon Haines (Moreton Bay Regional Council).

11.00 – 11.30 am: Morning tea

11.30 – 1.00 pm: Community involvement in Planning: Opportunities, constraints and sharing our experiences

Panel chair: Mr Howard Briggs

In this session we will take a look at how the community can get involved in planning – the opportunities, obstacles and practical examples from experts and community leaders with experience navigating the maze of planning and development assessment. Speakers in this session will cover:

• How planning in Queensland works and the relationship between planning and the community in theory and in practice.
• The community’s perspective on how performance based planning works, doesn’t work and what can be done about it.
• Options for reforming our planning system to give residents more say in determining the future of their community.

Confirmed speakers: Dr Laurel Johnson (2020 Outstanding Woman in Planning Award winner); Ms Lynette Saxton (President, Development Watch, Sunshine Coast); Mr Michael Papageorgiou (Director, Arcadia Urban Planning); Mr John Hicks (President, Community Alliance, Gold Coast); Mr Michael Berkman (MP).

1.00 – 1.45 pm: Lunch (BYO)

1.45 – 3.15 pm: Towards a sustainable and resilient SEQ: Blue prints for the future 

Panel chair: Dr Chris Butler, Griffith University

This session provides an opportunity to hear from the experts about what is being done to make Southeast Queensland cities cleaner, greener and more resilient to the impacts of climate change – and for you to ask questions about what more could and should be done. Speakers in this session will cover:

• Planning and climate change – mitigating the impacts on our communities.
• Green and resilient infrastructure.
• Re-wilding and its role in flood mitigation.
• Climate change and planning for coastal adaptation.

Confirmed speakers: Dr Aysin Dedekorkut (Griffith University); Ms Julie Brooks (Meridian Urban/ Planning Institute of Australia); Mr Scott Chaseling (Principal Program Officer, Oxley Creek Transformation Project); Dr Tony Matthews (Griffith University); Dr Donnell Davies (UN Association of Australia /UNH3 for SEQ).

3.15 -3.30 pm: Forum wrap up and future actions.

Redlands2030 – 7 October 2022