Findings of a practising plangineer in Tasmania, Australia

Abstract

ABSTRACT Plangineer is a term coined to describe a professional who has experience or a degree in both planning and civil engineering. In this article, the author, who is a plangineer formerly based in Tasmania, identifies problems with engineering standards and the Tasmanian Statewide Planning Scheme and presents solutions to overcome these problems. Three engineering-based issues and three planning-based issues are presented. The policy adjustments provided are pragmatic and simple to implement, which will create more liveable suburbs and communities over the long term. Practitioners Points Planning schemes and engineering standards need to be developed together to ensure that both documents assist each other to achieve strategic liveability goals. Driveway crossover location, water sensitive urban design, duplication of footpaths, flood reporting and car parking requirements are all areas where tweaks could be made to planning schemes and design documentation for long-term liveability improvements. Plangineers are well placed to undertake such reviews into these documents due to their multidisciplinary knowledge.