Patrick Gorr is a Arup's Global Hydrogen Leader. His specializes in energy and hydrogen, and the transition to net zero energy production. Patrick is a chartered accountant by profession, Patrick holds a Bachelor of Business, Economics, Accounting and International Trade from Swinburne University of Technology, and has held senior strategic roles, in Australia and Europe, with the Victorian Government, International Development Law Organisation and EDF Energy.

The Energy crisis has been all over the news recently, as the East Coast of Australia is at risk of black out, due to peak demand expected to exceed supply. Patrick explains what's been happening in the energy markets, and what the solution is. 

We chat about:

• The energy crisis 

Here is a quick fact sheet shared by Patrick to help explain the Lack of Reserve in the energy market

https://aemo.com.au/-/media/files/learn/fact-sheets/lor-fact-sheet.pdf?la=en#:~:text=A%20forecast%20LOR%20occurs%20when,LOR%20becomes%20an%20operational%20reality.

Hope you enjoy this chat :)

Dr Margaret Cook has been a freelance historian for many years, working in the heritage, museum, government and private sectors. She holds a PhD in history from the University of Queensland and her current research interests include natural disasters, rivers, water politics, and environmental history. Margaret is a history lecturer at the University of Sunshine Coast, a Research Fellow at Griffith University and holds Honorary Research Fellow positions at La Trobe University and University of Queensland.

Margaret’s recent publications are:

1. A River with a City Problem: A History of Brisbane Floods,

In 2020, Margaret was awarded the John and Ruth Kerr Medal of Distinction for excellence in historiography, historical research and writing.

This conversation builds on an earlier chat with Martin Roushani-Zarmehri in April where he referenced Margaret's research and publications, specifically that many of our urban settlements are on flood plains based on historical reasons.  

In this chat, we take a deep dive into Margaret's publications and passion, and find out what lessons we can take from history to shape more resilient communities.

We chat about:

1. Margaret's publications

I hope you enjoy this chat. 

Prof. Barbara Norman is the Foundation Chair of Urban and Regional Planning and Director of Canberra Urban and Regional Futures at the University of Canberra. She has a substantial professional background having worked at all levels of government and her own private practice. Her current research and teaching interests include sustainable cities and regions, coastal planning, climate change adaptation and urban governance.

Professor Norman is a highly esteemed professional, including:

• immediate past Chair of the ACT Climate Change Council

In this episode we chat about:

• Barbara's career highlights

Some of the key takeaways from this discussion:

• the value of planning is being restored and going through a renaissance

References referred to by Barbara:

• IPCC report on Adaptation - link

Hope you enjoy this chat :)

I spent the week in Hobart last week, attending and presenting at the Planning Institute of Australia National Congress. The theme was Opportunities in times of crisis, and this was the first time in 3 years that PIA has held a national planning conferences in person. 

In this episode, I summarize the top 10 lessons that I have acquired from the amazing sessions attended.

From the housing crisis, to human centered planning to designing with country and so many more! 

Looking forward to hearing what you think about my top 10!

(You might hear my kids & husband in the background, as I recorded this at home on the weekend) 

More info about Congress can be found here - Planning Institute of Australia

Matt Gross is a well-known property economist, urban geographer, and sociologist based in Brisbane.  

Matt heads up one of Australia's most respected property research houses that has grown on the back of honesty, integrity and innovation, National Property Research Co. Matthew is highly regarded as being able to provide both strategic direction and tactical strategies to ensure that the project values, both social and economic are maximised. He has been involved in providing insight into some of the country’s biggest property transactions and largest residential developments.

The housing unaffordability crisis is growing! So I wanted to speak with Matt about his research and experience to help understand: 

• his views on the current housing unaffordability. What will lead SEQ out of this current state?

Hope you enjoy this chat. 

Jason Byrne is a Professor of Human Geography and Planning at University of Tasmania. He researches urban political ecologies of green-space, climate change adaptation, and environmental justice. He has over 100 scholarly publications, including a multi-award-winning co-edited book - Australian Environmental Planning: Challenges and Future Prospects (Routledge).

Jason has been awarded the Planning Institute Australia’s national award for cutting edge research and teaching, and has twice been awarded the PIA Queensland award in that category – as well as their overall award for planning excellence.

I chat to Jason ahead of PIA National Congress in May 2022. We chat about:

1. top tips for Australian planners ready to converge on Hobart for PIA National Congress

Here are the links mentioned in our conversation:

https://climateadaptationaustralia.com.au/

https://theconversation.com/ordinary-people-extraordinary-change-addressing-the-climate-emergency-through-quiet-activism-160548

Hope you enjoy this chat!

To follow Jason on twitter - @CityByrne

PechaKucha is a global forum where ideas are pitched in a few minutes. 

Two of our great local architects, Katherine Rickard and Dave Hanson, have launched PechaKucha Gold Coast! With their first event in March a huge success, future PechaKucha nights will be held quarterly across the City. 

PechaKucha means "chit chat" in Japanese. This creative outlet began as night time get togethers in Tokyo in 2003 by two renowned architects. Since then, 3 million people have attended PechaKucha events worldwide. 

Tune into this episode to hear all about PechaKucha Gold Coast!

To stay up to date with future event - follow PK GC here

PechaKucha Gold Coast (@pechakuchagoldcoast) • Instagram photos and videos

Find our more about PK globally, check out the website below.

Pecha Kucha 20x20: Discover Pecha Kucha presentations, stories, ideas, examples, and videos that will inspire

Martin is an RPEQ, with a dual degree in civil engineering and business management. He is a stormwater and flooding engineer, with a vast range of experience focused mainly within the development and construction space.

Martin has managed teams of flood engineers both in Australia and Vietnam, delivering projects to both government and private sector.

Martin’s interest in Floodplain Management and flood awareness has grown increasingly after seeing those affected in 2011 and the more recent 2022 floods in Brisbane, as well as frequent flooding during his time living in Vietnam. He has seen all sides of the flood discussion, and hopes that by the end of his career, he has been able to make a positive change towards better flood risk management.

In this ep, we chat about:

• Improving community's awareness of flooding

I hope you learn something from this discussion. I covered only about half of my pre-prepared questions, so will bring you a follow up episode if you're interested in more. 

Brittany Lauga MP is the State member for Keppel and Assistant Minister for Education. Elected in 2015, Brittany is an award-winning Urban and Regional Planner prior to politics. Brittany has a strong professional background in infrastructure, urban planning and design, approvals and community development. She is passionate about her community. Brittany is an energetic and experienced Member working hard to deliver for the Central Queensland community.

In this episode, we chat about:

• Brittany's experience transitioning from a town planner to a politician

Brittany is such a busy person, so I was thrilled that she gave me her time to record this episode! I hope you enjoy it.

Noel Grummitt is a town planner and civil engineer. Noel has 50 years planning and development experience primarily in South East Queensland.  Prior to founding Grummitt Planning Noel also gained valuable experience overseas, culminating in 1997, spending the remaining 7 years as town planning manager for Weathered Howe Gold Coast, preparing concept development plans for tourist projects in Australia, Malaysia and Taiwan. Noel is a Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia and Vice President of Southport Chamber of Commerce.

I chat to Noel about:

• his journey as a planner, from studying town planning in the 1970's, after working as a qualified civil engineer;

I hope you enjoy this episode. 

About Us - Grummitt Planning