National Award for Ku-ring-gai Council

Ku-ring-gai Council recognised for planning excellence at the 2026 National Awards for Planning Excellence.

Ku-ring-gai has once again been recognised on the national stage, earning acclaim at this year’s National Awards for Planning Excellence. Presented by the Planning Institute of Australia, the awards celebrate outstanding planning projects that help shape more liveable, sustainable and connected communities. This year’s ceremony recognised projects responding to housing affordability, climate resilience and urban growth challenges.

Ku-ring-gai’s recognition follows earlier success at the NSW Planning Awards, where Council’s alternative Transport Oriented Development (TOD) planning scheme received the Strategic Planning Project Award.

Developed in response to the NSW Government’s housing reforms around train stations including Gordon, Killara, Lindfield and Roseville, the alternative scheme aimed to balance the need for additional housing with the preservation of Ku-ring-gai’s leafy character, heritage streetscapes and environmental assets.

According to Council, the proposal was built around several planning principles, including the protection of environmentally sensitive land, improved transitions between existing homes and new developments, and the revitalisation of local village centres. Extensive community consultation, workshops and public submissions also played a key role in shaping the final strategy.

Mayor Christine Kay said the award demonstrated the value of thoughtful, community-led planning. “We recently gained the State Government’s approval of our scheme and while opinions may differ, winning this award demonstrates that the Council’s alternative to the TOD is based on very sound planning principles,” she said.

The recognition continues a long history of planning and environmental accolades for Ku-ring-gai, with previous honours awarded for projects including Lindfield Village Green, sustainability initiatives and urban renewal strategies.