The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has taken out the Technology & Digital Innovation category at the 2026 National Awards for Planning Excellence, with the awards highlighting projects shaping more connected, resilient and affordable communities across Australia.
Presented by the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) in Canberra, the awards recognised initiatives helping communities respond to housing affordability pressures, climate challenges and population growth through planning innovation.
The MAV’s award-winning “Advancing AI Innovation in Local Government” project was recognised for supporting councils to better understand how artificial intelligence and automation can be integrated into statutory planning processes to improve efficiency and reduce administrative burden.
The project was delivered through a collaboration between MAV, MAVlab, MAV Procurement, the City of Greater Dandenong and Portable, with funding provided through the Federal Housing Support Program.
Representatives Bridie Guy, Sahar Farzanfar and James McLean accepted the award on behalf of the MAV during the ceremony.
PIA National Vice President and National Awards Convenor, Rukshan de Silva, said the award-winning projects demonstrated the important role planning plays in helping communities manage change and growth.
“Australians are feeling the pressure of rising living costs, housing affordability challenges and increasing climate risks,” de Silva said.
“Good planning is critical as it helps communities respond to these pressures by creating places where they can live closer to jobs and services, access better housing choices, spend less time commuting and enjoy healthier, more connected neighbourhoods.”
Around 400 planners, government representatives and industry leaders attended the event, which also marked PIA’s 75th anniversary.
Other winners included South Australia’s Department for Housing and Urban Development for the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan, Brisbane Sustainability Agency for Archerfield Wetlands Parkland, and Merri-bek City Council for its flood mapping engagement project “Calming the Storm”.
de Silva said the awards reflected a planning profession focused on delivering practical outcomes for communities.
“Investing in good planning helps reduce the costs of everyday life by improving access to housing, jobs, transport, services and public spaces,” he said.
“The winners reflect a planning profession focused on delivering practical outcomes that strengthen communities now and long into the future.”
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