Urban planning experts visit Maryborough

The former Lord Mayor of Adelaide and the grandfather of urban planning in Queensland have been invited to Maryborough to help the Fraser Coast Regional Council and the community create a vision for the city’s CBD.

Cr Daniel Sanderson said Council had partnered with the Queensland Government to invest millions into revitalising the Maryborough CBD in the past 15 years, and he was looking forward to welcoming the hosts of the ‘CitySpeak Australia’ podcast to discuss where to from here.

“We now have new streets and footpaths with artworks that help create a modern feeling while not overpowering our heritage,” he said.

“While Council has invested in infrastructure, it has also put in place programs to encourage building owners to refurbish their shops and offices.

“We recently met with business owners and landowners in the lower Kent Street area (between the CBD and Granville Bridge) to discuss ways to beautify and activate the area.

“Our aim is to ensure that the CBD continues to attract people, not just to do business, but to be a place where people want to be.

“To help us bring new ideas to the fore, we have invited two leading urban planners; the former Lord Mayor of Adelaide and urban futurist, Stephen Yarwood, and the grandfather of urban planning in Queensland, Greg Vann, to have a first-hand look at the Maryborough CBD and lead a forum to help business owners and residents consider its future look and feel.

“Shopping and business trends change so CBDs need to change. We need to be constantly re-inventing ourselves to keep pace with modern society.”

The project is a continuation of the Imagine Maryborough project spearheaded by Cr Sanderson from 2012.

“Imagine Maryborough brought together residents and business owners and led to the multimillion-refurbishment program,” Cr Sanderson said.

“Now it is time to develop plans for the next step.”

Greg Vann and Stephen Yarwood have extensive national and international experience and networks in urban planning and city governance.

They will meet with Council staff, business owners, landowners and residents on Thursday; and Council staff on Friday this week. They will also record a podcast while they are here.

CitySpeakers Stephen and Greg want to make a difference and inspire others to be the change they want to see in their cities. 

 CitySpeak Australia is about how to make a great city and create better outcomes for people and places. It explores quality urbanism from around Australia and the world in a different take mixing insights, experiences and fun.

Stephen Yarwood @ city2050.com.au

Passionate about cities and innovation, Stephen is a well-known and respected contemporary City Planner who consults nationally and internationally as an Urban Futurist. 

The former Lord Mayor of Adelaide and founder of city2050, his expertise lies in urban governance, city strategy and policy, smart cities and urban transformation.  

He has previously worked in Local and State Government and in the South Australian Parliament as a research officer and is a fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA).

Stephen has broad and practical knowledge of the driving forces, trends, issues and opportunities associated with technology and its relationship to best practice urbanism, governance, infrastructure and community development.

He is a sought-after keynote speaker and advisor on urban innovation and city futures who has worked primarily in Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East.

Find his writing on Urban Futures at Medium.com/@StephenYarwood

Greg Vann @ ethosurban.com

Greg is qualified in planning and economics and has been at the forefront of planning in Queensland and Australia for more than 40 years. He is one of Australia’s best-known planners, highly regarded internationally for his commitment to the urbanism movement.

Nowadays a consultant, part owner and Director of Planning at Ethos Urban, he previously co-founded a successful consultancy, worked in Local and State Government and is a life fellow of the PIA. 

Greg is a planning all-rounder, having done just about everything planners do for governments at all levels. His input is often sought as a trusted, experienced, and even-handed adviser.

His various leadership positions over the years include Queensland President and national councillor of PIA, Project Director of the regional plan for south East Queensland, chair of the former Qld Transit Oriented Development Task Force, board member of Bicycle Queensland and many advisory and steering groups for major projects.

Greg’s aim in life is to make the world a better place through strategic leadership, mentoring, inspirational and advocacy roles and being an honest broker, and to help people enjoy being part of all that. He sees CitySpeak Australia as a great way to pursue these ambitions.