Case study: Planning reform – from policy overhaul to practical, people-first planning
MEC Consulting was brought in to lead change and engagement for the rollout of Queensland’s new planning system – supporting the Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning (DILGP) to simplify, humanise, and embed the legislative reform.
This was more than implementation – it was about enabling adoption, uplifting capability, and creating shared ownership across the state.
While initiated as a legislative reform, it became clear this was a cultural transformation – redefining how councils, communities, and planners work together.
Services Provided
- Change Management
- Program Management
Location
Brisbane, Queensland
Date
2013 – July 2017
Client
(then) Department of Infrastructure, Local Government & Planning
The Sustainable Planning Act had become a source of frustration across Queensland – seen as complex, legalistic, and disconnected from how planning really happens. Councils struggled to interpret and apply it, industry felt weighed down by red tape, and communities felt shut out of decisions that shaped their neighbourhoods.
The Queensland Government needed to introduce a new Planning Act that was simple, fair, and transparent. But the broader goal was even more ambitious: to empower planners to plan – and to support Better Planning for Queensland.
“We needed to make planning clearer, more human – and rebuild confidence in the process from the ground up.”
- Delivered co-designed regional forums, webinars and drop-ins across the state
- Ran regular webinars and distributed numerous recorded resources to help planners and the community understand the change – and ensure equity in how information was shared across the state
- Developed practitioner-first messaging, guides and animated explainers
- Introduced a Scheme Transition Program to help councils align their local planning schemes to the new Act
- Established an Innovation Fund to support council-led initiatives for better local planning outcomes
- Set up an online council forum so planners could ask questions and share insights between roadshows
- Built a statewide planner support network, enabling peer-to-peer help for councils across Queensland
- Established a centralised Q&A repository and live 13GOV support pathways
- Enabled regional planning officers as local champions and trusted guides
- Reframed the legislation using plain language and visual tools to increase confidence
- Partnered with LGAQ to amplify council-led transition projects and success stories
- Injected warmth, humour and empathy into change comms – removing the fear of “reform”
- 77 local councils transitioned with tailored, supported plans
- Reduced complexity – new system replaced 30 forms with just four templates
- Stronger engagement from planners, elected officials and community advocates
- Planning reform updates accessed via videos, briefings and MyDAS2 helpdesk
- Legacy processes mapped and aligned to the new development assessment rules
- Council staff felt more equipped, supported and heard throughout transition
- Cultural shift: from “policy push” to “practical partnership”
...Mary-Ellen’s ability to connect with stakeholders made her a critical part of our success...
Client perspective
"Everyone acknowledged that the existing legislation needed to be totally replaced, but almost no-one wanted to go through such an extensive process of change. Mary-Ellen sized up the situation perfectly and applied her energy, empathy and practical style to bring people with us through one of the biggest planning reforms Queensland has ever seen. She understood the myriad complexities of the planning system and was always able to ensure we engaged with politicians, practitioners and communities in a relatable and meaningful way. Her ability to connect with stakeholders across all levels made her a critical part of our success."
– James Coutts, (then) Executive Director, Policy & Statutory Planning & Program Sponsor, Department of Infrastructure, Local Government & Planning
