The Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) is warning of “dire consequences” for growth and development in Queensland from the closure of planning courses.
The PIA says several universities have already announced the closure of planning programs and others were considering a similar move.
The organisation’s Queensland President Sean Cullen said urban and regional planners were “at the heart of shaping the future of our communities”.
“Although universities recognise the essential role of planning in shaping the future, the profession remains relatively small, and enrolments are reportedly falling below levels needed to keep courses financially sustainable in some universities,” Mr Cullen said.
“Urgent action is required to safeguard these essential planning programs and promote planning careers, or we risk deepening the existing skills shortage in the planning profession.”
The PIA was concerned about the long-term impact on housing availability, climate resilience, and economic prosperity arising from a shortage of urban and regional planners.
The closure of several university programs threatened the future pipeline of qualified planning professionals needed to address these shortages.
“We simply cannot afford to see a decline in the number of people entering the planning profession,” Mr Cullen said.
“This is not just an issue for the planning profession; it’s an issue for Queensland’s future.”
To boost enrolments into the remaining planner programs, the PIA has launched the “Become a Planner” campaign.
The campaign aims to raise awareness of the profession and encourage high school students and career changers to consider planning as a career.
The PIA is also calling on the Queensland Government to support the retention of planning programs at universities.
More details are on the Become a Planner website
