NEWS

DAREBIN TRANSPORT STRATEGY LAUNCHED BY MINISTER FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT 4/03/08

The Darebin Transport Strategy (DTS) was launched today by the Victorian Minister for Public Transport, Lynne Kosky. DLA played a key role in the preparation of the strategy, contributing planning and urban design expertise, facilitating meetings of the Steering Group which involved senior executives from a range of government departments, and writing and designing the final report. Described by the Minister as “a very exciting plan”, the DTS aims to double walking, cycling and public transport use by 2027. A key element of the strategy is the refocusing of Darebin’s high streets towards ‘local living’, with priority for public transport, walking and cycling. It also proposes a redistribution of public transport resources to areas of greatest need.

For further information please contact:

Mark Sheppard
David Lock Associates (Australia) Pty Ltd
e-mail or phone 03 9682 8568

 

DLA APPOINTED TO VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT EXPERT PANEL 20/02/08

DLA has been appointed to the Victorian Government’s Standing Panel for the Expert Assistance Program, in the category of Urban Design, Built Form, 3D Modelling and Public Realm.  The purpose of the panel is to assist local government in completing and implementing structure plans for activity centres.  The panel is funded by the Melbourne 2030 Activity Centres Expert Assistance Program, administered by the Department of Planning and Community Development.

For further information please contact:

Mark Sheppard
David Lock Associates (Australia) Pty Ltd
e-mail or phone 03 9682 8568

 

DAVID LOCK ADDRESSES VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT ON ECO-TOWNS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 06/02/08

David Lock, Chairman of DLA, gave a presentation to Victorian Government staff today on the UK Eco-towns program and its affordable housing and community development initiatives.

David is Chairman of the UK Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA). The TCPA with David have been appointed by the British Housing Minister to advise the UK government on the design and implementation of their Eco-towns program. David spoke about the research he is currently directing into the nature and delivery of Eco-towns.

For a copy of David’s presentation, click here.

For further information please contact:

David Lock
David Lock Associates (Australia) Pty Ltd
email or phone 03 9682 8568

 

SRI LANKA PROJECT WINS PRESIDENT'S APPROVAL 20/10/07

The Sri Lanka Post Tsunami Planning and Reconstruction Project received the President’s Award at the 2007 PIA (Victoria) Awards for Planning Excellence.  The project has to date involved three teams of Australian planners working in the country over a period of 18 months to help plan appropriate housing and infrastructure that is not vulnerable to further catastrophe.
 
Team 3, led by DLA’s Jenny Donovan, was responsible for designing a series of key public spaces along the Matara-Kataragama Road in Tangalle, including the Hambantota Beach Park.  The team also prepared an overarching Urban Design policy document for Sri Lanka and more detailed guidelines for neighbourhood planning and design.  Jason Black, President of the Victorian Division of PIA, said “The team of volunteers led by David Lock Associates has demonstrated a commitment to capacity building and engagement with the local community”.
 
The citation notes that the project “distinguishes our profession and the institute as a consequence of the contribution of our members to a country devastated by natural disaster and ongoing civil war”.
 
For further information please contact:

Jenny Donovan
David Lock Associates (Australia) Pty Ltd
email or phone 03 9682 8568

 

DLA WINS UN HABITAT COMMISSION 20/10/07

DLA has been appointed by the United Nations to bring its urban design expertise to the reconstruction of Kosovo.  As part of the UN’s Human Settlements Programme, UN-HABITAT, Director Jenny Donovan will visit the troubled Serbian province to design a series of public open spaces.

The aim of the project is to create safer public spaces open to all social, ethnic, and age groups.

The project forms part of UN-HABITAT’s Municipal Spatial Planning Support Programme ‘Making Better Cities Together’.

For further information please contact:

Jenny Donovan
David Lock Associates (Australia) Pty Ltd
email or phone 03 9682 8568

DLA WINS CRANBOURNE EAST GROWTH PLAN COMMISSION 6/07/07

David Lock Associates has been appointed by Victoria’s Growth Areas Authority to prepare a plan for the 800ha Cranbourne East urban growth area. The appointment recognises DLA’s growing reputation for planning large-scale growth areas, most recently represented by plans for the 795ha Cranbourne West and 4300ha Armstrong Creek areas. The Cranbourne East plan will continue DLA’s exploration of best practice sustainable urban development in an Australian context.

DLA is joined by a team of specialist subconsultants including Applied Development Research, Bell Planning Associates, Capire, Ecological Engineering, Golder Associates, Greenwood Consulting, Heritage Insight, PBAI Australia, SGS Economics and Planning, SKM and Veitch Lister Consulting.

For further information please contact:

Nicole Donnison
David Lock Associates, Melbourne
e-mail or phone 03 9682 8568

DLA RECOGNISED IN NATIONAL PLANNING AWARDS 3/05/07

David Lock Associates’ Preston Central Structure Plan has won the Urban Planning Achievement Award in the 2007 PIA National Awards for Planning Excellence this week.  This is DLA’s third national planning award in seven years. The winning project was prepared in collaboration with Planisphere and Darebin City Council.

Award Citation:

“The Plan clearly articulates the Melbourne 2030 principles of creating activity centres which comprise high-quality development, activity and living, as well as encouraging walking and cycling and supporting the development of the Principal Public Transport Network.”

For further information please contact

Mark Sheppard
David Lock Associates, Melbourne
e-mail or phone 03 9682 8568