Flinders University and the South Australian Government are partnering to offer new planning and surveying degrees to help address critical skills shortages in the planning professions.

South Australia has increased its planning workforce by only 35% since 2006, the lowest rate in the nation.

The state also has the second highest number of residents per planner in Australia.

Flinders University is working with Planning and Land Use Services (PLUS) in the Department for Housing and Urban Development, and the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA), to develop a modernised planning program to address the needs of industry stakeholders by integrating academic coursework with practical workplace experience.

The curriculum will be developed over the next three to six months in conjunction with industry experts and professional bodies.

The course complements a new surveying double degree which started at Flinders University this year.

Twenty-five students have enrolled in the Bachelor of Geospatial Information Systems/Bachelor of Surveying double degree, which was developed by Flinders University and the Surveyors Board.

Flinders University Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling says the new surveying and planning degrees will help address critical skills shortages in the construction industry and create a pipeline of talent to support the South Australian building boom in the decades ahead.

“Launching in 2025, our urban and regional planning degree will be an education pathway for future planners shaping the development of Australian cities and providing innovative approaches to sustainable and liveable communities. ”

“The University is currently collaborating with industry experts and professional bodies to develop a curriculum that will meet the future needs of the industry.”

The new 2.5-year degree course will see cadets gain valuable work experience while undertaking a Diploma in Local Government (Planning) through TAFE SA.