Vict ori A an P L la n n VVPPEELLAA i E n g Established 1989 - A Multi-disciplinary Professional Association & P E n v V i r o n n m o i Newsletter e t n a i t a c l o s L s a w A Number 72 October 2007 PPrreessThiieddpreoeofnnis ttin the pudding The strength of an Association and the nature of its achievements can be meas - ured through its membership and the success or failure of its events. What a fabulous endorsement then, was the recent VPELA conference. Over 250 members and industry colleagues par - ticipated in a stimulating two days of program and social events in the rolling hills of the Yarra Valley. In all, there were 39 presenters who came to share their experiences and expertise over a range of planning and related issues, as well as to take us outside our comfort zone. We became for a time scientists battling with climate change, refugees traveling by boat to a promising new country and human rights advocates Kathy Mitchell, President chats with special guest speaker Julian Burnside grappling with inhumanity issues. and Susan Brennan, Barrister Thought provoking stuff! particular interest that at this point in Simply put it is the people. VPELA is time we have already received more than blessed with interesting, intelligent, Sincere congratulations must go to all the usual number of nominations for outgoing, generous people from all involved in the organisation, particu - Board membership and there is still a larly Lester Townsend who led his team disciplines involved in the planning with skill and enthusiasm, but I think week to go until nominations close. and environmental law industry, but the success of the conference is also in Where other organisations flounder and more than that, they are all passionate part due to that which makes VPELA struggle to find those who will step for - about what they do. ward and take up the challenge, VPELA so strong. The diverse nature of I was recently approached by a planner has countless individuals who wish to VPELA’s membership and the passion in his mid 30s who commented that become further involved with the of its members who give so freely of he had been to many different organi - Association on a variety of levels. Our their time and energy are the source of sational offerings over the years that membership has grown to 867, each VPELA’s strength, and an indication of were topical, educational, thought year it increases significantly on the last. its health. provoking and useful - but that As I write, we are fast approaching our What is it that makes VPELA so attrac - VPELA was the only organisation that 17th Annual General Meeting which tive in a world where so much is com - will be held on 10th October. It is of peting for our time and commitment? (Continued on page 2 VPELA Board Members Contents President The proof is in the pudding 1 Executive Phone Fax Voluntourism: Voluntourism on the Andaman Coast, Thailand 3 President Award : Paul Jerome Award 5 Kathryn Mitchell 9655 8736 9655 8740 Minister : Planning for strong vibrant Vice Presidents communities 6 Lewis Sayer 9650 4155 9650 7344 Shadow Minister: Planning for population growth 8 Chris Wren 9225 7260 9602 2897 Demographics : Australia needs migrants, but where are they going to live? 11 Secretary Housing: Rory’s Ramblings 15 Tamara Brezzi 8686 6226 8686 6505 Conference: Solutions for now 16 Treasurer Good design 19 Bernard McNamara 9205 1222 9205 1333 New members 23 Conference: 24 Executive Members Demographics : The Republic of Bernardistan 32 David Hodge 0413 137 179 Planning : Response to Bernard Salt 34 Lester Townsend 9637 9696 9637 7900 In the Know 35 Planning : “A Structure Plan to go with your Members Activity Centre, sir?”.... “No Thanks!” 36 Planning : Do we need a Metropolitan John Carey 8608 2687 8608 1336 planning authority 38 Adrian Finanzio 9225 8745 9225 8740 Planning : Do we need a Metropolitan Chris Goss 9620 5200 9620 5800 planning authority 40 Jamie Govenlock 8663 4888 8663 4999 Seminar : Where there’s smoke there’s fire 42 Planning Planning and building permits: John Henshall 9347 5255 9347 5355 some practical issues 43 Paul Kearsley 9262 6306 9262 6379 Planning : A Better Mousetrap 44 Jane Sharp 9643 4526 9643 5999 Climate : ?? 44 Geoff Underwood 9822 3155 9822 5450 Design: Waste management meets modern art(2) 46 Allan Wyatt 9696 8011 9696 8022 Transport: The Fast lane 48 Case Notes: News from the legal world 49 Immediate Past President Ian Lonie 9286 6124 9629 8488 (continued from page 1) managed to achieve all of this and have fun at the same time. I believe it is our people, their enthusiasm for life and their passion and commitment to achieving the best outcomes Members are invited to submit articles they can, that make VPELA the pre-eminent and the most for publication. enjoyable of professional associations. The fact that we have fun along the way in no sense undermines our credibility or Please contact: the serious aspect of our role, but it is fundamental to who Newsletter Editor: Jane Nathan we are. 0419 542 492 I am thrilled that we have so many nominees for this year’s email: [email protected] Board and look forward to a great many of you attending Secretariat: Jane Power our AGM. I have great confidence that while the caliber of 9813 2801 our people remains so strong, so will the Association, after PO Box 1291, Camberwell, 3124 all, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. v email: [email protected] Kathy Mitchell President Page 2 VPELA Newsletter – October 2007 AwTahe rPadul Jerome Award 2007 Proudly sponsored by MacroPlan Australia • Towns in Time, Suburbs in Time, • Victoria in Future; and • From Donut City to Cafe Society. Jeremy’s publications have furthered the boundaries of knowledge and have changed how we view our cities and regions. Jeremy’s work has been the main influence in the decision making and policy direction for government’s of all sides of politics and he is respected throughout the pubic pol - icy and private sector for his insight and professional skills. Geoff Underwood (L) and Kathy Mitchell present Jeremy Reynolds (C) with his trophy at the ‘Going Green Dinner’ The nomination for this award stated that “Overall it is Jeremy’s understated selfless dedication to his role as the In 2005, VPELA instituted the Paul Jerome Award to recog - State’s principal demographer and researcher that sets him nise excellence in public administration in state and local apart from the pack.” The judges agreed. It was their unani - government. mous decision that Jeremy Reynolds be the 2007 recipient of The recipient of the Award in 2007 is Mr Jeremy Reynolds. the Paul Jerome Award for public administration as he so Jeremy, probably knows more about your life than your parents closely resembles the principles and approaches of the person do. For the last 13 years, Jeremy has made your life his life. after whom the award is named. Over that period he has been the manager of research with - At the time of the nomination for this award, Jeremy was in the planning department. In that role he has been respon - Manager Spatial Analysis and Research in the Department of sible for the production of numerous State Government Sustainability and Environment. Fortunately, Jeremy con - research reports including tinues to hold the position within the now Department of • Time Series-Victoria in Time, Planning and Community Development. VPELA Newsletter – October 2007 Page 3 YPG AVwolunatourrid sm on the Andaman Coast, Thailand Adam Terrill, Tract Consultants was the recipient of the VPELA/Peet Ltd Young Professional Award 2006. This award enabled Adam to travel to Thailand to assist with part of the rebuilding. Ban Talae Nok lies in the middle of the Andaman Coast on Thailand’s western border, directly facing the Indian Ocean. As a small fishing village three hours from Phuket but a mil - lion miles off the tourist map, it is, by western standards, an unremarkable place. But on Boxing Day 2005, it was cata - pulted into the world’s spotlight in the most tragic of cir - cumstances courtesy of the Indian Ocean Tsunami. Sparked by a large earthquake just off the east coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra, the tsunami killed approxi - mately 240,000 people, quickly earning the label as the deadliest tsunami ever recorded. The wave catapulted into the village of Ban Talae Nok, washing away buildings, cars, livestock and livelihoods. The local school - positioned immediately adjacent to the beach - was completely washed away. In a town with a population just over 228, approxi - mately 47 people were killed, most of them children attend - ing an irregular Sunday school. Almost half the village’s buildings were flattened. As part of the VPELA Young Professionals Award for 2006, I was fortunate enough to travel to Ban Talae Nok and assist in the tsunami rebuilding. Organized through a UK travel agency specializing in ‘voluntourism’, I joined a group of young volunteers from around the world. The National Geographic Magazine has recognized the success of the pro - gram by naming it amongst their ‘top 50 trips of a lifetime’. and emergency assistance, NATR took a longer term view, The program was organized through an aid agency called recognizing that the most effective manner in which they North Andaman Tsunami Relief (NATR), who have a very could assist was through working with the local communities different story to that of most aid agencies that descended to encourage self-reliance, establish sustainable industries upon Indian Ocean coastal communities following the and improve education and healthcare services.