Struggling with planning? This AI reckons it can answer your planning questions
A new planning AI bot, originally co-developed with Victoria’s Yarra Ranges Council to meet its needs, is now available to local councils around the nation.
From developers and first home builders, the AI can take information submitted by users to answer planning questions, figure out what’s permitted on their land based on local planning schemes, and decide whether a development needs a permit. This includes schemes on building a house, a granny flat or a deck, as well as removing trees, extending the house and renovations.
Software solution provider myLot said the AI allows planners to focus on their core work and ease pressure on any council’s planning teams that face complex demands. The developers said that software implementation will only take 2 to 3 months and has since also gone live on Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and Bayside City Council’s website, and will soon launch on Boroondara City Council, Mooney Valley City Council and Sunshine Coast Council’s sites.
Fast solar deployment first to be funded by Solar Sunshot
Project “Maverick” by local solar technology manufacturers 5B has been selected as the first project to receive funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)’s Solar Sunshot program.
The $1 billion program, announced on 31 August last year, aims to fund innovation in Australia’s solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing industry.
The project involved a system of prefabricated, prewired solar panels that can be automatically deployed. The panels just have to be carried to the location, and the solar panels will automatically unfold and lay down on site.
ARENA said the technology has the potential to drastically speed up and scale up the roll out of solar farms while reducing costs and labour intensity and has awarded $46 million towards the project.
Jobs news
Employee-owned architecture and engineering firm HDR has appointed Kate Macdonald as associate principal, defence and aviation, to bolster its expertise in the field.
Macdonald will help lead the practice in building engineering, aviation and transportation, which the firm said require “highly technical” and “high performance solutions”. She is also expected to work with the firm’s data drive design team to streamline processes and find opportunities with the nation’s defence estate and facilities projects.
Macdonald has a background of more than 20 years’ experience in delivering complex infrastructure projects in defence, aviation and transport.
Landcom appoints three new board members
NSW government developer Landcom has appointed three new non executive directors to its board of directors, Siobhan Toohill, Kieran Pryke and Ilona Millar for the next three years.
Toohill has spent more than 20 years leading sustainability at Stockland and later at Westpac.
Pryke has more than 30 years’ experience in financial roles across the real estate sector. This includes as chief financial officer of the GPT Group and Australand Property Group, as well as several senior finance roles within the Lendlease Group.
Millar has more than 25 years of experience in environment and climate law and finance. Millar is currently a partner in Gilbert + Tobin’s banking and projects group, as well as serving on the board of the NSW Natural Resources Access Regulator and is a former Commissioner of the NSW Independent Planning Commission.
Anthony Marklund and Jamie Conomos have joined SLR Consulting, which has around 1000 employees along the Australian east coast, and concentrates on specialist engineering, noise and vibration issues, air quality, the transport of hazardous materials, occupational hygiene, and remediation work.
The pair previously worked at Floth, which recently closed up shop after amassing nearly 90 staff. However, sources said almost all employees had quickly found other work.