Logan celebrates major wins at planning awards

This month Logan City Council celebrated some big wins at the 2025 PIA Queensland Awards for Planning Excellence.

Overall Winner | Community Wellbeing & Diversity Award for Excellence

The City of Logan was the Overall Winner, for the UN-Habitat Quality of Life Pioneer City Initiative, as well as the Community Wellbeing & Diversity Award for Excellence.

The UN-Habitat Quality of Life Pioneer City Initiative by Logan City Council sets a new standard for evidence led, socially sustainable planning aimed at tackling planning and social issues in the local government area.

Using advanced datasets and tools, Logan City Council established a 2024 baseline and live dashboards across nine wellbeing domains. This
rigorous evidence base revealed precise, actionable insights, enabling Council to target interventions that improve access, safety, equity and  cohesion through its corporate planning and budget processes. The judges commended Council for this deeply data-led and visionary approach to
planning, that balances a robust evidence base with human-centric decision making.

Council also received two commendations in the following categories for the Logan Centres Implementation Program:

Improving Planning Processes

The Logan Place Plan is commended for its exemplary integration of place-making principles into the city’s planning framework, driving economic transformation through coordinated urban design, public space activation and strategic investment. This initiative demonstrates a thoughtful blend of non[1]statutory planning policies, aligning infrastructure planning with community-scale placemaking. Its originality lies in the multi-scalar approach— from tactical interventions to city-wide strategies—delivered through a robust framework that has been successfully implemented over several years. The project reflects high-quality outcomes supported by strong internal alignment across Council departments and a substantial financial commitment. While its strategic alignment is primarily local, the model showcases how planning can be used to elevate urban environments and community identity.

Wendy Chadwick Encouragement Award Commendation

The Logan Centres Implementation Program is an outstanding example of in-house planning excellence, demonstrating skill, clarity of purpose, and effective coordination across multiple sites and a diverse range of stakeholders. The Judges recognised the complexity of the planning, design, delivery, and ongoing implementation, and commended the team for successfully navigating these challenges. Central to the project’s success was a strong focus on community engagement, which informed both delivery and ongoing implementation. The program has achieved excellent placemaking outcomes, maximising impact within available budgets and setting a high standard for integrated, community-focused urban planning.

Community Wellbeing & Diversity

The Wilbur Street Youth Centre also received a commendation

The Wilbur Street Youth Centre is an exemplary initiative that showcases how planning can directly improve the health, wellbeing and resilience of young people. Delivered through collaboration between Logan City Council, the Queensland and Australian Governments, and Rekon Youth Org, the project transformed an underutilised site in an established commercial centre into a vibrant, inclusive hub for youth development and community connection. The centre provides safe spaces for recreation, learning and cultural expression, with facilities ranging from sporting and creative activity areas to mentoring and training programs. Importantly, the design and programming were shaped through strong engagement with local young people, ensuring the centre reflects their aspirations, needs, and identity.

Visit the PIA Awards website for the full list of winners and commendations