Planning trifecta

Kate O'Donnell's analysis of the struggle between the planning powers of local and state governments has won her the Planning Institute of Australia's (NSW division) Student Excellence Award.

Kate's thesis, written in the final year of her Faculty of the Built Environment Planning degree, is entitled In the Shadow of Power: Planning, Politics and the Kurnell Peninsula. It uses the example of the Kurnell Peninsula to look at the relationship and communication between state and local governments in NSW.

Also recognised at the awards was UNSW alumnus Adrian Bonanni who was named Young Planner of the Year. Adrian now works at Parramatta City Council as a planner and urban designer.

Professor Robert Freestone, together with Dr Bronwyn Hanna, also an alumnus, received a commendation in the Planning Scholarship, Research or Teaching category for their book Florence Taylor's Hats, the first critical biography of Australia's first female architect. The book analyses Florence's contribution to the worlds of planning, design, publishing and women's rights in Sydney.

Head of the Planning program, Associate Professor Susan Thompson, said: "This is a fantastic result for Planning at UNSW. It reflects the breadth of the talent that exists within our program."

Media Contact: Victoria Brown | 02 9385 3263 | v.brown@unsw.edu.au