Peta Harwood is Queensland’s new State Planner, tasked with facilitating the approval of thousands of homes to combat the housing crisis.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said Ms Harwood would play a critical role in the government’s aim to have one million homes built in Queensland over the next 20 years.
Deputy Premier Bleijie said the 2024 joint winner of Outstanding Woman Planner of the Year would lead the Planning Group within the Department of State Development Infrastructure and Planning from next week.
He said she most recently had been an Executive Director in the Planning Group, leading the initiative to unlock church and charity owned land for the community housing sector.
“Ms Harwood has been a powerhouse in Queensland’s planning community for over a decade.
“Prior to her recent work in the Queensland Government, Ms Harwood led the development assessment functions for Brisbane and a cohort of 300 officers for over four years, led the first Local Government Infrastructure Plan in Queensland for Brisbane, and oversaw the 2014 new City Plan for Brisbane including its six-month community engagement, new online e-plan and interactive mapping, firsts at the time. “
Deputy Premier Bleijie said Ms Harwood, a Member of the Planning Institute of Australia, was aware of the importance of partnering with local governments and Communities to plan well.
