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:

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

⭐ 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.

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.

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

🌪️ 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.

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

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!

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

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:

Link to the Become a Planner campaign - www.becomeaplanner.com.au 

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

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. 

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!