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Leading planning and urban design practice, Hames Sharley scooped up a collection of awards at the Planning Institute of Australia Gala Event held recently at the Government House Ballroom (29th October 2010).

The firm received the Certificate of Special Commendation in the Urban Design Plans and Ideas category and the prestigious Western Australia’s Planning Minister’s Award for their master plan of Morley City Centre.

Managing Director of Hames Sharley, Paul Drechsler says the awards are an outstanding achievement and reflects the hard work and vision of all those involved in creating a better and dynamic future for Morley.

“These awards are a testament to the fantastic work undertaken by all those involved including Pracsys and Karen Gregory who were relentless in their pursuit to involve the community, and gather information to assist in the creation of a comprehensive and achievable master plan. The City of Bayswater should also be congratulated for their initiative and vision to develop Morley into a Strategic Metropolitan City Centre,” Mr Drechsler says.

“It is a plan that considers both the economic and transport context of the city centre utilising them as key drivers. It also embodies a fundamental shift in thinking as we move our focus from traditional retail based centres to the creation of activity centres where employment and residential targets are to be achieved as well.”

City of Bayswater Mayor Terry Kenyon said the master plan will provide the council with a blue print for the future development of the Morley City Centre.

"This is a strategically important area for the City and it will help us deliver on our vision for Morley City Centre as a great place for people to live, work, shop and socialise."

The plan is intended to stimulate further discussion on Morley’s evolution into a place for people and commerce.

The Planning Institute of Australia Awards celebrate the wide scope of planning achievement and recognises excellence in Western Australia. Hames Sharley is a previous recipient of the Planning Institute of Australia awards having been awarded on nine separate occasions for its work in urban design and planning.