PlanningxChange 115: Liz Mackevicius, organisational coach
Release Date: 04/08/2024
PlanningxChange 141 - Jared Jones, Californian Housing Producer
Planning XChange
In this episode of PlanningxChange, Jess Noonan and Peter Jewell are joined by Jared Jones, founder of Middle Housing Partners () in California, to explore the growing challenge of delivering housing within established neighbourhoods. The conversation begins with a striking observation: in parts of California, access to home ownership is increasingly shaped by inheritance rather than income. From this starting point, the discussion turns to the question facing many cities - how can housing supply increase when established areas remain largely unchanged? Jared outlines his work delivering what...
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PlanningxChange 140: Future directions and current thoughts for PX
Planning XChange
In this episode Jess and Pete talk about whats on their minds and potential future interviews. Episode released 28 February 2026.
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PlanningxChange 139: Driverless Cars: What Do They Mean for Cities and Society?
Planning XChange
Driverless and autonomous vehicles are moving steadily from concept to reality, raising important questions for cities, streets and planning systems. While the technology is often framed as a transport or engineering issue, its impacts are likely to be felt far more broadly — shaping travel behaviour, land use, and the way urban space is organised. In this episode of PlanningxChange, hosts Cam Alderson and Jess Noonan are joined by Cern Basher to explore what autonomous vehicles could mean in practice. The discussion focuses on the economic and systemic forces behind driverless cars, rather...
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PlanningxChange 138: Agritourism, Regulation and Risk: Insights from Old Mission with Mary Reilly
Planning XChange
In this episode of PlanningxChange, Jess and Peter speak with Mary Reilly, a planner and educator with deep experience in rural land-use issues. Mary helps us unpack the widely discussed Old Mission case from Michigan - a dispute between wineries and a township over land-use controls that resulted in a major federal damages award (approx $50m US). The discussion does not explore the legal merits or the ongoing appeal; instead, it uses the case to illuminate broader lessons for planners everywhere. Mary reflects on how agricultural areas are changing, how councils manage risk, and how planning...
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PlanningxChange 137: Architecture in Vietnam with Olivier Souquet (DE-SO Asia)
Planning XChange
In this episode, PlanningxChange travels to Vietnam to speak with Olivier Souquet, French architect and co-founder of DE-SO Asia, a Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)-based design studio renowned for projects that weave together climate, culture, and poetic sensibility. Since establishing DE-SO Asia in 2016, Olivier has guided a diverse body of work across Vietnam—from rural schools and urban housing to major civic and cultural landmarks, including the new City Planning Exhibition Center in Ho Chi Minh City. His practice embraces both rigorous environmental awareness and a deep respect for local...
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PlanningxChange 136: Promoting Retirement Living with Daniel Gannon
Planning XChange
In this episode of PlanningxChange, Jess and Peter speak with Daniel Gannon, Executive Director of the Retirement Living Council of Australia. Daniel brings nearly two decades of experience across advocacy, public policy, and media, including eight years leading the Property Council in South Australia, where he played a key role in landmark tax reforms that strengthened the state’s investment landscape. Now at the helm of the Retirement Living Council, Daniel is championing policies to meet the needs of Australia’s rapidly ageing population and to promote age-friendly communities across...
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PlanningxChange 135: Stephen Turner on the Japanese Railway System
Planning XChange
In this episode of Planningxchange, Jess Noonan and Peter Jewell are joined by Stephen Turner, founder of TS Japan Rail a well respected commentator on Japanese rail travel. Stephen has lived in Japan since the early 1990s and has featured on NHK World’s Japan Railway Journal and Japanology Plus. Through his work, he helps visitors craft memorable journeys across both Japan’s famous Shinkansen network and its lesser-known regional lines. Together we explore: Why Japan’s railways are unique – from punctuality down to the second to a culture of courtesy and order onboard. The role of...
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PlanningxChange 134: Graffiti, Governance and the City - Dr Cameron McAuliffe
Planning XChange
In this episode of PlanningXchange (PX135), we sit down with Dr Cameron McAuliffe, Senior Lecturer in Human Geography & Urban Studies at Western Sydney University. Cameron has written widely on the cultural politics of graffiti and street art, and has advised public authorities on how cities can approach the governance of these highly visible—and often contested—forms of expression. Our conversation explores: The social meaning of graffiti in contemporary cities How governments attempt to balance regulation, creativity, and community values The role of planning and urban management in...
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PlanningxChange 133: Five Decades in City Planning: A Conversation with Peter O’Leary
Planning XChange
In this episode of PlanningXchange, we speak with Peter O’Leary, whose planning career spans an impressive five decades. Peter began his journey in the mid-1970s as a cadet in local government, rising through the ranks to senior management. He later moved into the private sector before serving over 11 years as a Tribunal Member at VCAT, where he presided over a broad range of planning matters. Following his time on the bench, Peter returned to consultancy, specialising in mediation and dispute resolution. We explore each phase of his remarkable career, drawing on his insights into what...
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PlanningxChange 132: How AI Is Transforming City Planning - with Scott Matheson
Planning XChange
In this episode of PlanningXchange, we speak with Scott Matheson, Head of Planning at MyLot, an Australian AI technology company focused on simplifying the planning process for councils and communities. With a background in statutory planning across local government, consultancies, and the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, Scott brings both practical experience and a forward-thinking approach to the role of technology in urban planning. We explore Scott’s journey from traditional regulatory planning into the dynamic world of AI, discussing how MyLot is transforming development...
info_outlineIn PX115 our guest is Liz Mackevicius. Liz is an urban planner who has taken a new role as an organisational coach for those in the built environment industry. She will be leading the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) program ‘Pathway to Lead’. Information about the program, and the link to register for the session is:
https://www.planning.org.au/eventsandcpdnew/additional-programs.
It’s for consultants across Australia.
An accredited organisational coach, Liz has built a reputation of strong but supportive coaching. She values accountability, acknowledging this is what helps us translate aspirations into real breakthroughs. She has worked with a range of clients, building their confidence, resolve and satisfaction.
Liz is also a trainer and facilitator with a passion and commitment to helping those who create our liveable cities be more effective and have rewarding work. She believes that the challenge and problem solving we experience at work should be part of a fulfilling life – but that we often need to do the work to create that for ourselves.
Liz is also a public policy expert with nearly 20 years’ experience in urban planning, government advisory, strategy and policy development across a range of consulting and State and Local government roles. She understands the challenges of consulting, including balancing client demands with deep and creative thinking, leading people with different working and communication preferences, working with clients on tricky problems and developing strategies and policy in a constantly changing context.
In Podcast Extra / Culture Corner Liz recommends The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner
https://ericweinerbooks.com/books/the-geography-of-bliss/
Jess recommends Oppenheimer the movie (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oppenheimer_(film))
Pete recommends: Dragon Sakura TV series Netflix https://www.netflix.com/au/title/81488898 and ‘Modern Talking’ hear their song ‘Who will save the world’. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDIT-R8LYkg&list=RDiDIT-R8LYkg&start_radio=1 or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FD_UHyaN3dc
Audio produced by Jack Bavage. Podcast released 9 April 2024.