PB role: planning, consultation, engineering investigations, environmental investigations, GIS

The City of Orange in central New South Wales was faced with the challenge of sustainable management of urban growth. PB was commissioned by Orange City Council to prepare a sustainable settlement strategy for the city, in addition to preparing a Local Environmental Study for a proposed rezoning beyond the city’s north-western fringe.

PB investigated the city’s urban land needs for the next 20 years. This included a strategic assessment of urban land supply and demand, infrastructure capacity, city form and structure, and urban constraints. The city’s growth dynamics were analysed to predict influences on its future urban growth. PB identified future urban release areas and associated staging options in the structure plan.

The Local Environmental Study involved engineering and environmental technical investigations that were mapped using geographic information systems (GIS) to produce a potential development envelope.

Underpinning the project was a comprehensive and 'real time' consultation strategy that facilitated community and stakeholder ownership of the complex strategic planning issues.

Awards

2005: Winner, Award for Excellence, Professional Consultancy, Urban Development Institute of Australia, NSW

2005: Commendation, Award for Excellence, Rural and Regional Planning Achievement, Planning Institute of Australia, NSW