Hustle & Bustle podcast

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. 

2022... the year that was

This is the final ep for 2022.
Thank you for tuning into this podcast - whether you listen to each episode or whether you have only listened to 1 episode - it really is appreciated! 
In this episode, I recap my top 5 topics for planning in Queensland:
1. Climate Change
2. Designing with Country
3. Housing crisis
4. Census 2021
5. Olympics 2032
I mention in the episode that I will link the Olympics 2032 Hopes and Dreams Survey - here it is for anyone who would like to share their thoughts about Olympic legacy 
Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Legacy Plan | DSDILGP - Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning
Have a great break over Christmas and see you in 2023! 

Kerry Doss - immediate past chief planner of Qld

Kerry Doss has established a strong reputation as an experienced urban planner and leader during his career. Kerry has in excess of 33 years’ experience in planning & urban development in QLD & NSW.
Prior to establishing his own consultancy firm, he was the Qld State Planner for 5 years, heading up the Planning group within the Queensland Government. 
Prior to this role, Kerry headed up Brisbane City Council’s City Planning & Economic Development area for 10 years. As Brisbane’s most senior planner he was responsible for overseeing the planning of Brisbane.
I ask Kerry about:
What makes public service a rewarding career?
What is your advice to others who are navigating the political and community pressures, with the desire to deliver best practice outcomes?
What is the role of planners as change managers? And are we equipped to do that work?
What are the key issues and opportunities from your perspective in solving the housing crisis?
What are some of the key trends you have observed, particularly through the COVID crisis and what you think will continue into the future?
I hope you enjoy this chat :)

Adam Beck - Saving the planet with Smart cities

Adam is a smart city guru and urbanist who has worked for private sector consultancies and leading global non-government organisations to advance sustainable community outcomes for over 25 years. Adam is the Head of Digital Urbanism at Ene.Hub. He leads the company's efforts to continually consider what's next for connecting, activating and measuring urban life.   Adam was previously the Executive Director with the Smart Cities Council.In this episode, I ask Adam to:
reflect on his career and journey into smart cities,
why smart cities and what has kept him engaged in this mission driven sector?
his achievements at the Smart Cities Council
his current work at Ene.Hub - turning basic urban furniture into connected and enabled infrastructure. 
what is holding us back from truly unleashing the potential of digital on our cities? 
I hope you enjoy this chat!