Urban and

Regional Planning
Urban and regional planning is about anticipating and providing for
the future distribution of different land uses supported by appropriate
infrastructure. SGSs combination of project management, land use
and transport planning and economics skills ensure we are uniquely
equipped to assist our clients in this field.
Who we are
SGS is a leading planning and economics firm whose purpose is to shape policy and
investment decisions to achieve sustainable places, communities and economies.
As a leader in the field, SGSs services in the urban and regional planning field involves
the pursuit of the public interest through the lenses of environmental sustainability
(including minimising demands on the natural environment and optimising resource
use); economic activity and efficiency; and facilitating positive social outcomes.
In recent years SGS has assisted all Australian state governments in the preparation
of their respective metropolitan plans. In addition to the preparation of these plans,
SGS has provided project management, technical advice and peer review perspectives.
Territory and local governments have engaged SGS to undertake structure planning
for employment and residential land studies as inputs into statutory plan revisions.
Stategovernments, peak bodies and councils have sought the independent and expert
advice of SGS for submissions on policy matters and planning appeals. SGS has also
worked in the Middle East and been a consistent advisor to New Zealand governments
in urban and regional planning.

What we do
Within urban and regional planning, SGS serves its clients in the following areas:
Identifying appropriate and desirable land use futures for particular sites
Projecting future housing, employment, community service, open space and
infrastructure needs for local and regional areas
Providing spatial planning advice about the distribution and allocation of future
landuses and activities
Providing independent and expert advice about planning policy matters
Plan preparation and implementation advice, including statutory planning
Managing multi-disciplinary structure planning projects for new release or urban
renewal areas
At the macro scale, preparing comprehensive strategic plans for cities or sub-regions

Independent insight.

Area of Service
Leader
Patrick Fensham, MSc
(Urban Planning Studies),
Bachelor of Town and
Regional Planning
(Hons 1)
Patrick is a Principal and Partner with
SGS Economics and Planning based in
the firms Sydney office, and has dual
qualifications in urban planning.

Examples of our work

Employment Lands Study, City of Sydney
SGS was commissioned by the City of Sydney to prepare an employment
lands study that would determine the long-term demand for industrial and
business zoned land in the strategically located land in the south of the LGA.
The project involved a review of major state and local planning documents,
reports and data, analysis of local and metropolitan employment land trends,
detailed supply and demand analysis and forecasts. The preparation of
strategies and recommendations were also required to guide employment
lands policy as well as future amendments to the Local Environmental Plan
and Development Control Plan. Lastly it involved providing recommended
changes to zonings and FSRs, reflecting thechanging nature of the study area.
Housing Supply in Established Areas Department of Planning and
Community Development
SGS was commissioned by the Department of Planning and Community
Development to provide a clear understanding of the key housing supply
issues in the established areas of Melbourne, and outline practical directions
to inform the development of a new metropolitan planning strategy. The
project was completed through a series of interactive workshops which
drew together extensive knowledge and information from all three project
partners. The project investigated a range of issues: economic, demographic,
planning, transport; and the motivations of developers, investors and
occupiers. A clear understanding of these various dynamics and how they
impact on future new housing supply was developed to support future
policydecisions.
Gippsland Integrated Land Use Plan: Scenario Workshop and Discussion
Paper Department of Planning and Community Development
Through a series of workshops, research and quantitative analysis, SGS
provided a population assessment of the Gippsland region. This report
investigates future population growth trends and potential supply issues
within the region through a current trend and high growth population
scenario. The work feeds into the Gippsland Integrated Land Use Plan being
developed by Department of Planning and Community Development.
The Gippsland Regional Growth Plan will represent and integrate relevant
State policy with a focus on progressing regional objectives identified in the
2010 Gippsland Regional Plan. It is expected that the Regional Growth Plan
(orGippsland Integrated Land Use Plan (GILUP)) will be broadly implemented
through Victorias statutory planning framework, providing a regional policy
layer and assist councils with their local strategic planning.
Further examples of projects SGS has worked on in this area can be viewed
on our website http://www.sgsep.com.au/urban-and-regional-planning

Since 1990 Patrick has been an important

part of the SGS Economics and Planning
consultant team. He has developed
specialist expertise in numerous areas
including metropolitan and strategic
planning, infrastructure planning and
funding analysis, cultural development,
regional economic development,
development feasibility analysis and
facilities audits and planning. He has
worked internationally and in all states of
Australia, for private sector clients as well
as for all levels of government.
Patrick was seconded to the NSW
Department of Planning as the Director
of Strategic Development on the Sydney
Metropolitan Strategy through 2004 until
its launch in December 2005. As well as
coordinating input across all disciplines he
led the Centres and Corridors and Economy
and Employment sections of the Strategy.
During 2007 and 2008 Patrick led a multidisciplinary team of consultants preparing
the City of Sydneys highly acclaimed
Sustainable Sydney 2030 strategy. This won
PIAs National President Award in 2009.
He has also extensive experience in
teaching and giving presentations. Pat
has successfully delivered a two-day
PIA accredited course on Economics of
Development and is a regular lecturer
at the University of Technology Sydney.
He was international guest speaker
at the Smart Growth and Liveable City
conference in Ipoh, Malaysia in October,
2011, and also led a master class on Ideas
for a Sustainable Ipoh.

About SGS
SGS Economics and Planning exists to
shape policy and investment decisions
to achieve sustainable places and
economies. Our vision is to be a college
of professionals providing Australias best
independent policy advice.
Our core Areas of Service are:
1. Economic and Social Analysis
2. Urban and Regional Planning
3. Infrastructure and Facilities Planning
4. Policy Advisory
For further information or to contact us
please visit our website.

www.sgsep.com.au