Gaskell Planning Consultants (GPC) has extensive experience in the review and preparation of strategic frameworks, local and neighbourhood plans and the master planning of precincts. GPC also provides expert policy advice on a range of strategic land use planning themes, including housing and industrial land.

We have assisted several Councils with the preparation of their strategic frameworks and policy position papers. We believe our core strength is to think strategically and provide clear policy positions, assisting Council with long term thinking about short term pressures and outcomes.

GPC also assists Council’s in the preparation of local plans through research, consultation and planning and placemaking responses. Our local planning and place making skills are well known. It is in our DNA to collaborate with Councils, state government and multi disciplinary teams and integrate community consultation into our planning practice.

GPC undertakes data analysis and research to support the development of evidence-based forward-looking discussion and policy papers on specific topics and/or places. We apply critical thinking skills, quantitative and qualitative methods and undertake case study analysis to uncover lessons and options in consultation with our clients and key stakeholders.

We pride ourselves applying strategic thinking skills to understand the bigger picture and envisage robust, holistic, connected and creative solutions.

The Spit Master Plan

Project
The Spit is one of the Gold Coast’s most iconic and treasured landscapes, but its future has been contested for a number of years between advocates and opponents of development.

 GPC and Deicke Richards, working in partnership, led a multi-disciplinary consultant team that worked closely with the Queensland Government over and 18 month period to deliver a community-led master plan to revitalise The Spit.

The plan sets a clear direction for the 201 hectare extent of The Spit, balancing tourism, recreation, environment and cultural heritage. The master plan will help unlock the potential for 1800 new jobs, 800 new short-term accommodation rooms, a new Aboriginal Cultural Centre and the protection and improvement of more than 138 hectares of public greenspace.

The project outcomes reflect strong leadership, good governance, high levels of community engagement and design collaboration, along with excellence in planning and urban design practice. This excellence has been recognised with the project winning a number of Queensland Planning Institute of Australia Awards in 2019.

Client
Department of State Development, Manufacturing and Infrastructure

Key issues
> Building collaboration and consensus between stakeholders and the community after a contested history of development
> Building heights and development intensity
> Traffic management and demand management
> Balancing development, recreation, environment and cultural heritage
> The proposed City of Gold Coast oceanside cruise ship terminal

Toowoomba TRUFF

2019
The Toowoomba Urban Form Framework (TRUFF) was prepared by GPC and urban designers Deicke Richards to provide a roadmap for a more place-focussed, planning and urban design framework more conducive to achieving successful design outcomes in the Toowoomba Region. It required strategic thinking about a range of key development outcomes and how the planning scheme and related processes could improve outcomes in the future.

The TRUFF is a key input into the scoping and policy framework of Toowoomba Region’s new planning scheme.

Client
Toowoomba Regional Council

Key issues
> Strategic framework for urban form
> Planning scheme policy frameworks to improve urban form outcomes

Brisbane Housing Strategy – Discussion Paper

2019
GPC was commissioned to complete background research, analysis and a discussion paper on housing in Brisbane. The discussion paper outlined key housing demand and supply challenges for the city and possible goals and actions for further discussion. This work will contribute to the preparation of a housing strategy for Brisbane City to 2041.

This project also involved leading a series of small group discussions with state government agencies, community housing sector representatives and development industry peak representatives.

Sub-consultants on this project included AEC Group Ltd who provided demographic analysis and a housing needs assessment and Wyeth Planning who provided expert social planning input.

Client
Brisbane City Council

Key issues
> The role and ability of Council to influence housing supply
> Strategy and co-ordinated action
> Large volume of quantitative and qualitative data
> Data sources and limitation

Image Credit: Andrian Tram/ Shutterstock.com

Brisbane Metro Project – Southern Innovation Corridor

2017
GPC led a multi-disciplinary team focused on undertaking research, investigations and analysis to support recommendations and land use strategies for the immediate neighbourhoods around the proposed southern Brisbane Metro busway stations.

The study area included Mt Gravatt Station, Eight Mile Plains Station and proposed Rochedale Station.

The project team worked collaboratively with Council to identify opportunities and constraints across the study area, develop options to address particular issues in focus areas, and develop detailed strategies.

The project involved two workshops where the team presented findings and developed options. 

Client
Brisbane City Council

Key issues
> Strategic opportunities to capitalise on transport infrastructure investments
> The integration of economic and property market advice in the identification of development opportunities
> Station integration within neighbourhoods and access to the stations

The Gap Neighbourhood Plan

Project
GPC, combined with urban designers, a commercial property specialists and a social planning firm, prepare background reports and a strategy for The Gap Neighbourhood Plan. The strategy required consideration of key commercial centres and their potential expansion and improvement, housing choice including housing for older people, potential redevelopment areas and the provision of community facilities. 

The Gap project was a successful process between consultants and Council in exploring strategies and actions for the study area prior to detailed consultation with The Gap community.

Client
Brisbane City Council

Key issues
> Consideration of growth options
> Waterways
> Ecological values
> Centres

Coorparoo and District Neighbourhood Plan

Project
GPC was engaged by Brisbane City Council to assist with undertaking research, investigations and analysis, and providing recommendations and strategies to address key challenges in the neighbourhood plan area.

The key challenges included balancing protection of traditional character housing with increasing residential densities, improving the economic viability of the centres, improving pedestrian accessibility and connectivity to centres and key destination points, supporting the Greenslopes Private Hospital, and increasing surveillance of and access to the Greenslopes busway station. The project team worked in collaboration with Council and the Community Planning Team to develop land use strategies and statutory recommendations to address the challenges. The project was within budget, to a high standard and to the satisfaction of the Council Project Manager. 

Client
Brisbane City Council

Key issues
> Character housing
> Viable and vital centres
> Traffic management
> Management of height and bulk of buildings

Norman Creek Catchment Master Plan

Project
GPC and a strong team of sub consultants prepared the Norman Creek Master Plan. The Master Plan proposes land use planning approaches to manage risk in the catchment areas.

GPC was the project author and leader, project managing the sub consultants input into the project. The Master Plan provides a blueprint for major Council investment into the catchment over a long term period. It combines strategic and land use planning, flood plain management, water quality and quantity management, landscape planning, and urban design outcomes in a truly integrated planning framework to meet Council’s ‘water smart’ objectives for the catchment.

Client
Brisbane City Council

Key issues
> Queensland and local heritage
> Traffic
> Acoustics
> Ecology

Newstead
Riverpark

Project
The Newstead Riverpark is an excellent example of a major redevelopment project requiring numerous heritage and planning approvals in a major, multi staged master planning environment. Covering 16 hectares the Newstead Riverpark project is one of Brisbane's largest urban renewal projects.

GPC has been instrumental in the planning for this 16 hectare urban renewal project in Newstead. The master plan required consideration of heritage, riverfront issues, open space and road and drainage infrastructure in a staged development over 10 – 15 years. Waterfront Newstead (Mirvac component) comprises around 10 hectares of land and contains approximately 6 hectares of developable land and 4 hectares of open space.

For over 10 years GPC has delivered preliminary approvals, subdivision approvals, and detailed development permits for major multi unit and mixed use buildings in the precinct, between 5 and 25 storeys in height. 

Client
Mirvac

Key issues
> Heritage
> Building form and design
> Integration of open space
> Contaminated land