Summer Placement Experience: Working in the Planning Sector

The summer placement provided by the university was a great opening for me to learn about the real-life situations occurring in the planning industry. Accordingly, to suit my schedule, I did a full-time based internship starting from 17th December 2019 until 11th February 2020 (i.e., completing 180 hours in 5-6 weeks).

To start with, I was feeling a little nervous when I was asked to meet Angela Davison for discussion on the placement offered. Formal dressing becomes a challenge to me, I felt tensed about my looks. However, I managed to briefly introduce myself. Further discussion led us to the current ongoing projects in the company. A project on the proposal of horse stables and a veterinary clinic in horse racecourse precinct was explained and related files were shared. The first task was to identify the constraints present in the site, which I did by filling the application in Dial Before You Dig (DBYD) website. One major constraint i.e., a high-pressure gas pipeline running through the proposed site area was discovered. Thereby, I contacted the SEA Gas people to clarify the buffer requirements, where I learnt more about communicating clearly with appropriate planning-related terms.

Then, I spent the next few days in preparing AutoCAD drawings linked to the same project which showed all the constraints in the site with the proposed plan of a veterinary clinic and horse stables. I was not a regular user of the AutoCAD software, which made me feel concerned and anxious. But, at the same time, I felt that it is an opportunity to gain knowledge of the software. Subsequently, I learnt the techniques to draw in AutoCAD through online lessons. Many slip-ups happened while preparing the drawing sheets, but I believe to learn from my mistakes. By the end of the break, I managed to complete the AutoCAD drawing with all the requirements (however, it did not look very good).

On completion of the site drawing, a new task came my way. It was to read the development plan (DP) of the Murray Bridge Council and identify the relevant provisions of the site. It felt very relaxed when the task did not involve AutoCAD as I was still unsure about the page settings. Reading the DP to list the relevant provisions was easier than I thought it would be. I was quick in preparing the list, Angela appreciated for both the drawing and relevant provisions list. I felt happy about the work I did, that appreciation meant a lot to me. Next, I was given another site in Bowden which was an application for change in land use from photography studio to warehouse. I prepared the relevant provisions list for this application by reading the development plan of the City of Charles Sturt council. I felt very confident to prepare the list relevant to site requirements as I had learnt the planning terms from the previous listing.

Further, another project came in. The client wanted to know the details of an industrial site handled by the Spring Gully Foods PTY. LTD located in Dry Creek area, as they were willing to purchase the property. We had to identify the easements of the property and explain the same to the client with the drawings. At this point in time, I had a new colleague to work with, his name is Eugene. Initially, we discussed all the easements present within the site proposed to be purchased. Eugene and I listed all the easements with a short explanation as to what it means to whom. Throughout this process, I came across terms that I had learnt from my lectures previously, also, I encountered and learnt many new terms related to planning.

After gathering all the information on the property, I was assigned to develop the CAD drawing highlighting all the elements in the property. I felt a little worried as preparing drawings in AutoCAD was not so friendly to me. This seemed challenging at the time it was addressed to me. But the inside voice was telling me not to quit at this early stage. Angela was very supportive in this situation, she encouraged me throughout like a mentor. It did take a while to understand the software, later, I was impressed with myself for the final drawing that I delivered to Angela. She appreciated the work, the second time and this appreciation brought a huge bundle of happiness in me. I felt gratified when Angela said that drawings were sent to the client with the report.

On successfully completing the report on the Dry Creek project, we moved on to a slightly bigger project which dealt with three cemeteries in the regional areas of the state (i.e., Parrakie, Lameroo and Pinnaroo) in the Southern Mallee District Council. It was a cemetery extension proposal. Thereby, the council approached Town Planning HQ to develop extension plans for the cemeteries. We had to learn many things related to cemeteries such as grave plot sizes, ash wall designs and religious beliefs that affect planning. It took a while to analyse the demographics and number of graves required for the next 100 years. Eugene and I did the calculations together.

I took a step forward and asked if I could make the base plans in AutoCAD. I felt confident after the previous project. I started with plans prepared by another engineer and enhanced the existing and proposed drawings. Designing was also involved in this project. Landscaping and designing of ash walls were important to match the already existing features. At this point in time, I have to mention that I started enjoying to work in AutoCAD software. It is very big progress that I have made during the placement. The last two days in the office was spent with Ivana, the architect and a senior designer of the company. It was a knowledgeable experience working with her.

This brings to an end of my placement experience. It has added more insights for the term town planner, I clearly understood the responsibilities of a town and regional planner. It provided me with clarity in identifying my strengths (such as AutoCAD, reading DP, finding suitable material providers to assist clients and mathematical calculations involved) and weakness (such as designing concepts, landscaping and dressing formally). I have decided to dedicate time to learn concepts which I know less, also to improve my strengths by making further studies in the field. This internship has shed light on my career goals of becoming an urban and regional planner and work with the council or in a private firm to serve the people by fulfilling their needs in society. I see myself in becoming a planner who is able to prepare AutoCAD drawings and analyse the cases for clients at various scales. The overall experience of working in the planning sector gave me the greatest pleasure and confidence as I discovered my passion for the planning industry.