Housing Strategy Wins Prestigious Planning Award

Published on 26 November 2025

Council is celebrating industry recognition after its Mid-Western Region Housing Strategy received the Planning Institute of Australia’s (PIA) NSW President’s Award.

Announced at the Institute’s NSW Awards for Planning Excellence on Wednesday, the President’s Award is one of the highest honours in the planning profession and was selected from 73 entrants across every award category. It recognises a planning project that demonstrates exceptional innovation, leadership, and responsiveness to local challenges.

Developed in partnership with Gyde Consulting and The Planning Studio, the Mid-Western Region Housing Strategy has been acknowledged as a standout example of forward-thinking, place-based planning that meets the needs of a rapidly changing regional community.

The strategy was recognised as the first housing strategy in NSW prepared with explicit consideration of the impacts of the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). The document not only provides a long-term vision for housing across the Mid-Western Regional Local Government Area but also delivers a comprehensive assessment of growth pressures, land supply, infrastructure needs, and the social impacts of rapid transformation associated with the REZ.

Council’s General Manager, Brad Cam welcomed the announcement.

“This is an outstanding achievement and a testament to the quality of planning work being undertaken in our region,” Mr Cam said.

“The Housing Strategy provides a clear, locally grounded pathway for how we manage growth, support our communities, and respond to the opportunities and challenges presented by the Renewable Energy Zone.”

The strategy includes a detailed analysis of the wide-ranging implications of the REZ and sets out a strategic approach to mitigate community impacts while leveraging long-term investment opportunities.

Its preparation extended beyond the NSW Local Housing Strategy Guideline to develop a bespoke, evidence-based housing supply and demand assessment tailored specifically to the needs of the Mid-Western community. Council secured funding from the NSW Government’s Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund (Round 2) to undertake the project.

The strategy will now advance to the National Awards to be considered at next year’s PIA Planning Congress in Canberra.