In PlanningxChange Episode 73, Jess Noonan and Peter Jewell interview Elizabeth (Liz) Hui, an acoustic engineer with over 25 years experience. Liz started working in the acoustic engineering field in the pre internet age, spending over 20 years as a consultant at Marshall Day Acoustics before retiring early in 2013. During that time, Liz regularly presented expert evidence at both VCAT at Panels. In 2016 Liz joined Planning Panels Victoria as a sessional member and discovered what it was like to sit on the other side of the table. She now spends her time between the occasional Panel hearing, a few special projects at Marshall Day Acoustics and tending a vineyard in the Mornington Peninsula. The interview covers a broad range of 'noise in the city' issues. From interface and conflict issues between different land use categories, to the design of apartment standards. Amongst many other matters, Liz explains basic noise measurement testing and how noise tolerance to some extent is relative. The interview provides great information into what is an often misunderstood science from one of the best in the field.

This podcast was produced by Complete Podcasting Services. Episode released 22 December 2020.

In PlanningxChange Episode 72, Jess Noonan and Peter Jewell interview Peta Charles the principal of Brisbane Town Planning (BTP). Peta has introduced many innovative features into her practice. She has produced and appeared in 100's of YouTube videos explaining different planning and design issues. A major information resource for the general public and clients. BTP applies a fresh and exciting approach as evident on their website (www.brisbanetp.com.au) which includes:

We may have a big name and crazy big ideas, however, our passion lies in working with the "little guys" like us. As it is where we feel we can make the biggest difference and hence, where we get the greatest satisfaction.

The website includes 'Charlie' which is described as:

“BTP’s own virtual town planner, “Charlie” is the face of all all our automation magic! She handles all of the boring back-office administration "stuff". Things like gathering property information for an enquiry, setting up jobs in our project management system/drafting invoices when an agreement is accepted ... you get the idea.”

Peta is described on the website as:

Professional on the outside and slightly loco on the inside … which means she is serious when she needs to be and lighthearted when she doesn’t. Peta is obsessed with innovation/automation and has a strong distaste for bureaucratic red tape (the time/energy waste drives her bonkers). She also LOVES to challenge expectations.

Most importantly though, she is driven by the saying "knowledge is power". This means that she is passionate about being transparent/honest and educating people about the inner workings of the town planning process … so they don't end up going down a path that isn't right for them. 

The podcast interview covers a broad range of issues including the use of technology, client relations, learning and communication. Peta brings a down to earth yet enlivening approach to the issues. Surely one of the most interesting and innovative town planners in Australia.

This podcast was produced by Complete Podcasting Services. Episode released 26 November 2020.

In PlanningxChange Episode 71, Jess Noonan and Peter Jewell interview Tamara Brezzi, the President of VPELA. Tamara is also a Partner at Norton Rose Fulbright.

Tamara started professional life as a Council town planner with the former City of Malvern. She then undertook a law degree and transferred to legal practice. Tamara talks of the importance of mentors in her professional development, essentially giving her confidence to take bold steps.

Tamara discusses the role of the Victorian Planning and Environmental Planning Association (VPELA). She has been President of the Association for ten years. She also talks of important planning concepts such as 'common cause' and the need for ongoing reform. The discussion also talks to the issue of 'noble cause corruption' and the need for due process. The podcast provides an insightful guide to client / lawyer relations. A wonderfully fresh and frank discussion on fundamental principles that are often taken for granted and sometimes dismissed in troubled times. Tamara suggests that sometimes its best to wait, and wait, and wait a little more, and allow dust to settle and thoughts to mature and truths to emerge. Hasty certainty tends to be a fool and allows bad decisions to settle and establish and become 'precedent'.

This podcast was produced by Complete Podcasting Services. Episode released 13 November 2020.

In PlanningxChange Episode 70, Jess Noonan and Peter Jewell interview Nick MacHale, the CEO of BRITE.

Nick is an experienced executive having spent time in both commercial and not for profit sectors. His passion lies in bringing together people from all walks of life, to achieve a common purpose. Hailing from Ireland, Nick states he has been lucky enough to call Melbourne home for the last 13 years. 

BRITE provides sustainable services that create opportunity and support for people living with a disability or who are vocationally disadvantaged. It is a social enterprise and a non-profit charity that has been changing people's futures for more than 40 years by providing jobs and opportunities. We urge you to visit their website www.brite.org.au. We can vouch for the high quality of their museli! 

This podcast was produced by Complete Podcasting Services. Episode released 22 October 2020.

In PlanningxChange Episode 69, Jess Noonan and Peter Jewell interview two local government planners, Meghan Ablett and Emily Cooke. Meg and Em work for the Cardinia Shire Council which is one of the major residential growth areas within the Melbourne metropolitan area. Meg and Em work in 'growth areas' planning that is at the urban edge overseeing the formation of new suburbs and providing the support for 'instant communities'. One of the toughest jobs in planning.

The duo talk about their day to day work; their inspirations and the constant learning experience of visiting recently created suburbs in their municipality and others, and taking in lessons. The issues they deal with stem the full gamut of planning considerations; heritage, archaeology, drainage systems, geology, built form, transport linkages, economic and social planning. In the process they have gained considerable insight into all the 'working parts' that make for great suburbian outcomes.

A delightful interview that gives confidence in the next gen of local government planners.

This podcast was produced by Complete Podcasting Services. Episode released 8 October 2020.

In PlanningxChange Episode 68, Jess Noonan and Peter Jewell interview Clark Davies; an urban planner/masterplan cities project manager based in the Middle East. Originally from Melbourne Victoria (a graduate with the Class of 83' at RMIT), Clark worked locally, then moved interstate and eventually overseas.

Clark is a senior executive with a breadth of property development, construction and business management experience. He has delivered profit on large and complex projects through being able to successfully manage people and processes to orchestrate outcomes aligned with development and corporate goals.

He is currently the Chief Development Officer at Edamah (Bahrain Real Estate Investment).

In the podcast he talks of his experiences living and working in different continents and amongst different cultures. He brings a unique perspective to global development trends and the importance of local place. He talks of past lessons and sets out what he believes are new trends. He also has advice to young planners just starting out. A sparkling and delightful interview.

This podcast was produced by Complete Podcasting Services. Episode released 4 September 2020.

In PlanningxChange Episode 67, Jess Noonan and Peter Jewell interview Nick Vlahandreas of Mountain Planning. Nick is based in Bright, a mountain town in North East Victoria.

He has 16 years experience combining local government and private practice. Nick talks candidly about mistakes he made when first in local government and the lessons he put into practice and by so doing making him a more complete and responsive planner. As well, he joined the local footy club and this opened his eyes to the importance of community in small towns. He talks of the vast difference between practising planning in major cities to the more local circumstances in country areas. He also makes suggestions on how planning controls can be reformed to better reflect the changing dynamics and needs of regional and country Australia.

A frank and revealing interview that gives a terrific insight into working in small town and country areas.

This podcast was produced by Complete Podcasting Services. Episode released 10 August 2020.

In PlanningxChange Episode 66, Jess Noonan and Peter Jewell interview Paul Shipp one of Australia's rising urban planning economist stars. It's said economics is essentially half psychology and half elementary school arithmetic with a smattering of statistics. Paul in the interview gives a sense of the abilities of urban economics to harness data to better understand and improve contemporary cities and regions. This is true strategic planning in action.

Paul has 15 years experience consulting to government and private clients, primarily in Melbourne and regional Victoria. As a Director of consultancy Urban Enterprise, Paul leads a wide range of strategic planning and urban economic projects.

Paul specialises in fields at the interface of strategic planning and economics: land use planning, land demand and supply studies, demographic and property analysis, economic impact assessments and infrastructure funding, across the residential, retail, commercial, industrial and tourism sectors. He regularly appears as an Expert Witness at planning hearings on these issues.

A proud urban planner, Paul has held roles on the Planning Institute of Australia’s Victorian Committee and was a Co-editor of the monthly Planning News publication.

This podcast was produced by Complete Podcasting Services. Episode released 17 July 2020.

In PlanningxChange Episode 65, Jess Noonan and Peter Jewell interview Scott Beyer of the Market Urbanism report. This is the first international interview conducted by PlanningxChange!

Scott Beyer is an urban affairs analyst based in New York City. He is founder and owner of Market Urbanism Report, a media organization that promotes free-market urban policy. MUR publishes a weekly article, a monthly podcast, and has active social media accounts with a combined following of over 50,000. 

‍Scott is also a journalist who recently completed a 3-year, 30-city cross-country tour to study urban American issues. He now writes as a regular columnist for Forbes, Governing Magazine, HousingOnline.com, and the Independent Institute. 

Recently he launched a consulting company, Beyer Policy, to build political support around his ideas. BP works with public and private institutions to spearhead pro-market, pro-growth policy in cities across America.

The interview introduces the concept of borrowing more ideas on urban policy from the United States. America has 50 states and each area has its own identity. Within this vast country and different government areas there is the potential for urban policy experimentation on a truly remarkable scale. In addition, the country is known for its free thinking approach to tackling urban issues. Our guest, Scott Beyer seeks solutions to urban problems with a free market approach. Basically this means less government involvement not more, an approach rarely expressed in Australian planning circles. A bold and refreshing speaker with ideas that can add to the 'planning commons' of ideas. 

The interview was recorded using Zoom, the first using our new Rode microphones, we hope to steadily improve the audio quality. Podcast produced by Complete Podcasting Services. Episode released 23 June 2020.

In PlanningxChange Episode 64, Jess Noonan and Peter Jewell interview Tim Biles from Ratio Consultants. Tim has had a long and distinguished career as a lecturer, consultant, advisor and 'creator' of several planning consultancies. We thought Tim would be an excellent commentator on the impacts of Covid 19 and Government retrictions on city life. So many predictions made during the pandemic have turned out in error sometimes of a massive magnitude causing huge dislocation to city life and citzens. The interview considers the concept of 'safeism' and the impact this will have on buildings, personal interaction, general levels of health, economic wellbeing and city living. Will the changes be permanent or soon forgotten? The interview was recorded using Zoom, we apologise for the less than optimal audio quality. We are working on methods to improve the listening experience. Podcast produced by Complete Podcasting Services. Episode released 11 June 2020.

In PX63, Jess Noonan and Peter Jewell interview Ben Rossiter Secretary and Executive Officer of Victoria Walks. The organisation is a walking health promotion charity managed by an independent voluntary board. The organisation's mission is simple: 'More people walking more every day'. Victoria Walks undertakes research, which informs an ongoing campaign of advocacy and policy work. Ben talks of the benefits of walking and impediments to walking within our city form. But isn't more walking just like eating more vegetables, we all know we should do more of it! Ben answers this question suggesting walking is given better representation within the transport matrix and from this better implementation solutions can follow so that walking is an easier daily choice. The organisation website victoriawalks.com.au contains a link to walkingmaps.com.au (an offshoot) that contains numerous local walking trails, the majority created by the public. The website includes videos on how to create and upload walking trails. There are themed walks within cities and regional areas. This platform is of increasing interest to local government in terms of promoting better health outcomes and supporting local tourism. The benefits of walking extend beyond the physical, Friedrich Nietzsche the German philosophy stated: 'All truly great thoughts are conceived when walking'. For internal reflection one only need consider the Philosopher's Walk in Kyoto. The route is so named because the influential 20th century Japanese philosopher and Kyoto University professor Nishida Kitaro is thought to have used it for his daily mediation. Kitaro's most famous concept is the logic of basho usually translated as 'place' involving at times the dynamic tension of opposites. We hope this podcast creates interest in walking and how cities can be made more walking friendly. Due to the Government lockdown, this interview was recorded using Zoom, we apologise for the less than optimal audio quality. Podcast produced by Complete Podcasting Services. Episode released 11 May 2020. 

In PX62, Jess Noonan and Peter Jewell interview Jacob Martin (Yarra CC), Calum Douglas and Nicole Neame both working at Baw Baw Shire. The three planners are relatively new to planning and have worked in local government for approximately two years. Nicole has previously worked in community engagement. We ask them about the transition from university into the 'real world', what has surprised them and to reflect on their experiences. This period of transition is unique in our working lives and we hope listeners will consider their own early years of work. The trio indicate the transition is helped by good mentoring. There is also the importance of sections and protocols just as there is the lived experience of dealing with developers, fellow staff and the broader community. The views expressed by the trio are personal and do not in any way reflect the views of the organisations where they are employed.
Podcast produced by Complete Podcasting Services. Episode released 4 May 2020. The interview was recorded just prior to the Government enforced lockdowns associated with Covid - 19.

In PX61, Jess Noonan and Peter Jewell interview Mark Marsden. Mark has had a long and successful career across many sectors of the planning world a particularly unique part is his long association (now publisher)of the Victorian Planning Reports (VPRS). The VPR's and its predecessing versions (AATR's and PABR's) highlighted and summarised decisions of Victorian Planning Tribunal's (and now expanded to Planning Panels Victoria). In this way the VPR's spread best thinking on planning and design issues and provided for greater productivity and better informed decisions and outcomes. We talk to Mark about how the VPR's can cover such a vast number of decisions (there is an editorial committee)and how some decisions are choosen over others to highlight. Also, the role of publishing editorial comments about Tribunal decisions. A very necessary public benefit as Tribunals or like bodies can at times make unreasonable decisions, it takes courage to point this out. A spin off of the VPR service is an A - Z guide to land use issues and the precedents that have been set. We also talk about how cross-state learning can improve. Apart from VPR subject matter, Mark outlines his views on the services provided by local government and how it is misunderstood. He also talks of his time as a Senior Panel Member of Planning Panels Victoria and provides guidance on what makes for an effective presentation.
We declare that the VPR's has been a sponsor of PX for a number of years.
Podcast produced by Complete Podcasting Services. Episode released 30 March 2020. We wish all our listeners the very best in these difficult times caused by Covid - 19.

In PX60, Jess Noonan and Peter Jewell engage in a free flowing discussion with Peter Seamer and Cameron Alderson. Peter Seamer is in a unique position to write about the future of our cities and has achieved one of Australia's most critical analysis of city form in ‘Breaking Point: The Future of Australian Cities’. He was the CEO of the Victorian Planning Authority for ten years, the CEO of Federation Square during its building phase and first few years, and has been the CEO of several cities, including Sydney. He has just started a new project promoting new thoughts about city development (www.howtobuildacity.com). Cameron Alderson is an insightful, forward thinking property developer (Director at Canopi Homes). He has a long history of promoting innovative housing projects and involvement with VPELA. He has previously featured in PX6. Podcast produced by Complete Podcasting Services. Episode released 12 March 2020.

Rob Adams, Director City Design and Projects, City of Melbourne

Professor Rob Adams AM is the Director City Design and Projects at the City of Melbourne and a member of the World Economic Forum Global Future Council on Cities and Urbanization.

With over 46 years' experience as an architect and urban designer and 35 years at City of Melbourne, Rob has made a significant contribution to the rejuvenation of central Melbourne.

He and his team have been the recipients of over 150 local, national and international awards including receipt of the Australian Award for Urban Design and the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Award 2014 for its adaptation and resilience projects, on four occasions.

Adams has also been awarded the Prime Minister's Environmentalist of the Year Award in 2008 and the Order of Australia in 2007 for his contribution to architecture and urban design. In 2016, Adams was conferred with a Doctor of Architecture from the University of Melbourne.

Some key projects he has worked on include: Postcode 3000, Council House 2 (CH2) – Australia's first 6-star green commercial office building, Birrarung Marr, Swanston Street, Melbourne City Square, Return to Royal Park, the Open Space and Urban Forest Strategies and numerous community buildings including Docklands, Boyd, East Melbourne and Kathleen Syme Libraries. His team is currently involved in two major city-shaping projects, the Queen Victoria Market Renewal and the Melbourne Metro Rail Project.

Adam's recent focus has been on how cities could be used to accommodate and mitigate rapid population growth and the onset of climate change. He has published and presented extensively on the subject of 'Transforming Cities for a Sustainable Future’. 

Podcast produced by Zak Willsallen of Complete Podcasting Services. Podcast created by Jess Noonan and Peter Jewell. Podcast released on 2 February 2020.