Hustle & Bustle podcast

Peter Richards - Gaining New Perspective with Urban Sketching

In this episode of the Hustle and Bustle podcast, host Nicole Bennetts sits down with architect and urbanist Peter Richards to explore the art of urban sketching. With over 40 years of experience in architecture and urban design, Peter shares his passion for the role of drawing in the design process and its significance in shaping our cities.
Peter RichardsPeter is an architect with extensive experience in projects ranging from small-scale buildings to large city designs. As Principal of Architecture and Urban Design at Archipelago, he is renowned for his collaborative approach and has contributed to over 150 design workshops in Australia and internationally. Passionate about urban quality and the connection between people and place, Peter is a strong advocate for the role of drawing in the design process.
Episode Highlights:
The importance of good design and why well-designed cities matter.
What urban sketching is and why it’s an essential skill for designers and planners.
Peter’s career highlights and challenges over the years.
What motivates Peter as a design leader today.
The biggest challenges facing our cities and communities in the next decade.
Planning News Update:
State Government Delivery Plan for the 2032 Games released: PIA continues to advocate for integrating venues and infrastructure into the city through the Green Pathways, Gold Places initiative. QLD | Green Pathways, Gold Places Advocacy Document
Upcoming Event: Planning for Disaster Resilient Communities PLANET course with Stephen Dredge – a half-day online session covering planning for natural hazards and their impact. PLANET | Planning for Disaster Resilient Communities

Riley Flanigan - Can We Solve the Housing Crisis?

Housing affordability and availability are at crisis levels, but why? And what can we do about it?
In this episode, we sit down with Riley Flanigan, an urban designer, strategic planner, and city strategist at Urbis, to unpack the forces behind Australia’s housing crisis.
Riley has been at the forefront of housing research, policy, and advocacy, including his writing and his contributions to PIA Qld's Housing Working Group. With deep insights into master planning and housing policy, he’s been contributing his voice on housing challenges and solutions.
From policy roadblocks to promising reforms, we cut through the noise to explore what’s really happening in the housing system and what needs to change.
In this episode, we discuss:✅ The key factors that have led to the housing crisis✅ Whether current policies are addressing the root causes✅ The need for both short-term fixes and long-term solutions✅ One (or two) major policy shifts that could make a real difference✅ What gives Riley hope for a better housing future
In this week's planning news:
⭐ Residential Activation Fund: The Deputy Premier announced the guidelines and eligibility criteria for Round 1 of the $2 billion Residential Activation Fund. Residential Activation Fund | State Development, Infrastructure and Planning
⭐ Applicable event extended: On 19 March, the Planning Minister declared the Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred Recovery event. to be an applicable event. The applicable event declaration allows extended hours of operation for certain uses, and the ability to apply for a temporary use license.  Applicable events | Planning⭐ Call in Notices: the Deputy Premier issued two proposed call-in notices for the Marmadua Energy Park and Middle Creek Energy Hub.  The notices seek submissions from the proponent, community and other parties about whether the proposed developments qualify as a state interest and should be assessed by the Deputy Premier.  Ministerial call-ins | Planning⭐ Sunshine Coast TLPI Approved: the Deputy Premier approved a Temporary Local Planning Instrument proposed by Sunshine Coast Council to facilitate more local hotel proposals in Maroochydore and Caloundra, with an aim to support the tourism development of the Sunshine Coast. MEDIA STATEMENT: Maroochydore and Caloundra revitalised with new hotels on the way  - Ministerial Media Statements
⭐ DA Planners Forum: first one for 2025 is happening next week. Its online and free for PIA members, $20 for non-members. All are welcome - DA Planners Forum
⭐ Policy in Action Workshop - making good development stack up. Join us next week in 7 locations across Queensland! Free for PIA members Policy In Action 2025 - Making Good Development Stack-up
Tune in for an insightful conversation that goes beyond the headlines and into the real challenges—and solutions—shaping the future of housing.

Laura Harvey & Haleen Singh - Planning the Gateways to Our Cities

In this episode, I'm joined by Laura Harvey, Planning Manager at Queensland Airports, and Haleen Singh, Planning Advisor with Port of Brisbane. We explore the unique world of planning for airports and ports—two critical transport hubs that serve as economic drivers, destinations, and catalysts for urban and regional development.
Episode Highlights:
Laura and Haleen share what drew them to this work.
A look into a typical day in their roles and the complexities involved.
Discussion on how airports and ports shape the cities and regions around them.
Key planning challenges they face and strategies to address them.
Insights into how technology is shaping the future of these sectors.
Latest Planning News in Queensland: Before diving into our conversation, latest planning updates in Queensland:
The Planning Minister has declared the Tropical Cyclone Alfred event in South-East Queensland as an applicable event, allowing extended operating hours for essential services like shops, warehouses, transport depots, health care services, and hardware stores to support recovery efforts. Applicable events | Planning
Extensions to assessment periods under the Planning Act have been implemented for certain development application timeframes. extension-notice-11-march-2024.pdf
Brisbane City Council’s planning scheme amendment has gone live, introducing reduced and maximum car parking rates for inner-city areas—a move aimed at improving housing affordability. Citywide amendment - Inner-City Affordability Initiative | Brisbane City Council
Upcoming Events: The 3rd Annual Policy in Action Workshop is on April 2nd at Arup Brisbane and live-streamed to six locations across Queensland. This free event for members will explore Making Good Development Stack Up from various perspectives. Policy In Action 2025 - Making Good Development Stack-up
Tune in to this episode for an engaging discussion on the fascinating world of airport and port planning.

Chris Isles - Harnessing Big Data and Human Behaviour

In this episode, I sit down with Chris Isles, General Manager of Advocacy, Major Projects, and Economic Development at Redland City Council. With over 20 years of experience in planning, economic development, and major projects, Chris is a well-respected leader in the industry.
As a member of PIA Qld’s Plan Tech working group, Chris has a strong interest in how technology and data can shape better cities. From digital twins to AI and big data, we explore how these tools are transforming planning and decision-making.
In this conversation, we discuss:
🚀 What sparked Chris’ passion for technology in planning🏙️ How digital tools are reshaping the way we design cities🌏 The role of tech in tackling major urban challenges—housing, transport, climate resilience📊 Are we using the vast amounts of data cities generate effectively?And in 🏗️ Latest Planning News:
🌪️ Cyclone Alfred – Expected to cross the SEQ coast in the coming days, marking the first cyclone to hit the region in around 50 years. Stay safe, and heed the warnings.
📜 Planning Scheme Updates – Ipswich City Council and Sunshine Coast Council are making progress on their new planning schemes. Ipswich is set to adopt its scheme in the coming months, while Sunshine Coast will refine its draft before public consultation.
📢 Upcoming Events – The Central Queensland Symposium is back on March 28, this time in Airlie Beach for a full-day, in-person conference. A must-attend for planners and allied professionals— CQ Planning Symposium 2025
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this episode are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employers.

Adam Beck - The Future is Coming

My guest today is Adam Beck, General Manager of Business & Market Development at Hub Group and Co-Founder of TEMPO Institute.
About two weeks ago, the American Planning Association released its fourth Trend Report for Planners, featuring over 100 trends shaping urban planning. You can access the report here 2025-Trend-Report-for-Planners-Screen-Reader-Version-r1.pdf
As a trend-scout for this report, Adam shares key insights, surprising trends, and what they mean for the future of cities. We discuss how planners and city leaders can respond to emerging trends, differentiate between fads and fundamental shifts, and predict the one trend that could transform city planning in the next five years.
Adam is a leader in urban transformation, focusing on innovation in the built environment. He shares practical steps planners can take now to adapt to change.
 
Plus, we cover the latest planning news, including:
First round of announcements for the Scheme Supply Fund - see PIA's media release here Planners welcome Queensland Government’s funding for well-planned homes
and the Call for Abstracts now open for the PIA Queensland State Conference 2025 in Toowoomba. PIA QLD State Conference 2025

Leisa Prowse - Securing Social License

In this episode, I sit down with Leisa Prowse, a highly regarded engagement specialist. Leisa is qualified in both planning and communications, and has extensive experience helping planners and developers to secure 'social license to operate' for planning and development projects. More about Leisa here About Us - Leisa Prowse Consulting
We chat about:
- what is social license?
- why is it important and how to go about it?
- we chat about this recent article Urban planners say community consultation system blocks affordable housing - ABC News
- as well as, navigating engagement fatigue, where communities feel over-consulted but under-heard
In planning news, 
- Ethos Urban merges with Colliers
- PIA contributes to Qld Govt budget process QLD | PIA State Budget Submission 2025-26
- new PIA website https://www.planning.org.au/ 
- Transitioning to Planning Practice course Back to Basics – Transitioning to Planning Practice
- last chance to register for our annual Women in Planning breakfast 2025 Women in Planning Breakfast (BRISBANE)
 
I hope you enjoy this chat!

Julia Miller-Randle - Unlocking the Power of Social Infrastructure

In this episode, I chat with Julia Miller-Randle, Director of Social Strategy and Engagement at Cred Consulting. 
We chat about the importance of social and community infrastructure.
What is it? Why its important? How its changing? The biggest challenges in funding and delivery of social infrastructure? And some tips and tricks for others interested in championing social infrastructure. 
 
In the planning news segment, I cover:
1. The applicable event declaration for rain and flooding in North Queensland Applicable events | Planning
2. The red tape reduction taskforce announcement Red tape reduction taskforce | Local government
3. PIA Federal Election Platform was launched this week PIA Election Priorities.pdf
4. Tickets are available for Qld Women in Planning breakfast Planning Institute of Australia

Professor Paul Burton - Future of Planning Education

Paul Burton is an Emeritus Professor at Griffith University. Paul was the inaugural Director of the Cities Research Institute at Griffith University, a multi-disciplinary research centre focused on advancing studies and knowledge of cities. Paul is also a member of PIA Qld’s Division Committee and chairs the Education Sub-Committee.
Paul and I chat about:
the current landscape of planning education in Australia
key challenges facing Australian universities
Why educating the next generation of planners is so important
Future proofing planning education 
Link to the Become a Planner campaign - www.becomeaplanner.com.au 

Ross Elliott and Guy Gibson - The Next Australian City Book

A conversation with Ross Elliott and Guy Gibson from Suburban Futures who co-edited the book "The Next Australian City". This book recently was awarded Overall Winner of the PIA Awards for Planning Excellence in Queensland. 
 
This interview covers details about the book, what inspired it, who authored the chapters, and how it doesn't shy away from the debates in suburban development. 
 
THE NEXT AUSTRALIAN CITY : THE SUBURBAN EVOLUTION -- EDITED

Season 3 Launch - we are back!

The Hustle and Bustle podcast returns after a 2 year break!! 
Nicole is excited to kick-start season 3 in this episode. She fills you in on the latest happenings.