South Australia has only increased its planning workforce by 35 per cent since 2006, the lowest rate in the nation and SA also has the second highest number of residents per planner in Australia, ahead of only ACT. 

Flinders University has committed to collaborating with Planning and Land Use Services (PLUS) in the Department for Trade and Investment and the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) to develop a modernised planning program aimed at setting national standards and leading innovation in the field of urban and regional planning. 

The comprehensive undergraduate planning program will address the needs of industry stakeholders by integrating academic coursework with practical workplace experience. 

The curriculum will be developed over the next 3 to 6 months in conjunction with industry experts and professional bodies to understand the practical requirements in the workforce. 

The new degree is an important step for the industry as there is currently no undergraduate planning program and a looming workforce crisis given the low number of qualified people. 

The course complements a new surveying double degree which started at Flinders University this year. 

25 students have enrolled in the Bachelor of Geospatial Information Systems / Bachelor of Surveying double degree which was developed by Flinders University and the Surveyors Board.

“Flinders new surveying and planning degrees will help address critical skills shortages in the construction industry and create a pipeline of talent to support the South Australian building boom in the decades ahead,” said Professor Colin Stirling, Flinders University Vice-Chancellor. 

“Launching in 2025, our urban and regional planning degree will be an education pathway for future planners shaping the development of Australian cities and providing innovative approaches to sustainable and liveable communities.    

“The University is currently collaborating with industry experts and professional bodies to develop a curriculum that will meet the future needs of the industry.” 

The last intake of students in 2022 into the previous surveying degree run by UniSA had only four enrolments. 

State infrastructure projects rely on qualified surveyors to set out bridges, tunnels and roads. 

This new degree ensures a locally delivered surveying degree is available to South Australian students to produce graduates to assist in addressing the skill shortages faced by the surveying profession. 

The new Flinders University Urban and Regional Planning degree also complements the Para Planner Cadet Program the Government launched in January in partnership with TAFE SA. 

The 2.5 year course will see cadets gain valuable work experience while undertaking a Diploma in Local Government (Planning) through TAFE SA. 

A para planner plays a crucial role in supporting qualified planners by contributing to professional projects, participating in on-the-job training, answering customer queries, and undertaking assessments as part of development application processes.

“The Planning Institute of Australia has long advocated for the reinstatement of an  
undergraduate planning degree and we are thrilled that this will now finally happen,” said Cate Hart, President Planning Institute of Australia (SA Division). 

“Planning is essential for South Australia’s future, and our state needs more trained planners who can continue creating great communities for the future. 

“As the peak body for planning professionals, we look forward to working with Flinders University and other stakeholders to develop the curriculum for this new course.”