Local Leadership for Density Done Well

Local Leadership for Density Done Well

  • 22 Oct 2026
  • 09:30am - 04:00pm
  • $80 General Admission | $40 First Nations
  • Capitol Theatre, 113 Swanston Street
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Join local government leaders, planners, researchers and designers for Local Leadership for Density Done Well, a one-day symposium exploring how local leadership can positively manage urban density change, meet housing targets and neighbourhood amenity expectations.

Victoria's cities and communities are changing. 

As housing demand grows and urban areas face density concerns, local leaders, planning and design professionals are facing a critical challenge: how can we create the homes we need, while supporting social equity and protecting environmental amenity? 

Join local government leaders, planners, researchers and designers for Local Leadership for Density Done Well, a one-day symposium exploring how local leadership can positively manage urban density change, meet housing targets and neighbourhood amenity expectations. Across three panel discussions, the day will bring together diverse perspectives to explore policy and governance, planning and design and evidence-based research, to shape Victoria's urban future. 

The symposium will also launch a new report co-authored by the Municipal Association of Victoria and RMIT's Centre for Urban Research, Leading Communities Through Urban Change: Building Community Support for Density Done Well. This report examines how local leadership can help communities navigate urban change and support better outcomes for housing, neighbourhoods and residents. 

Over lunch, view the Density Done Well Exhibition by the Victorian Chapter of the Institute of Architects housing committee and hear from leading experts about exemplary projects in Melbourne and regional cities. 

Speakers

  • Kelly Grigsby, CEO of the Municipal Association of Victoria 
  • Professor Libby Porter, Director for the Centre for Urban Research at RMIT University 
  • Kat Panjari, General Manager of Community & City Services at the City of Melbourne and Industry Fellow in the Centre for Urban Research at RMIT University
  • Councillor Alex Makin, Mayor of Port Phillip 
  • Councillor Thomas Prince, Mayor of Bendigo 
  • Simon McMillan, CEO of Whitehorse City Council 
  • Munir Vahanvati, City Design Coordinator at Darebin City Council
  • Sarah Buckeridge, Co-Managing Director at Hayball and the Australian Institute of Architects Victorian Chapter Housing Committee co-chair
  • Jane Keddie, Director of the Hansen Partnership and Vice President of the Planning Institute of Australia, Victoria
  • Leanne Hodyl, Director of Hodyl and Cities People Love
  • Associate Professor Sarah Foster, ARC Future Fellow in the Centre for Urban Research at RMIT University
  • Dr Hugh Stanford, Research Fellow in the Centre for Urban Research at RMIT University
  • Dr Emma McCrae, Research Fellow in the Centre for Urban Research at RMIT University
  • Professor Melanie Davern, Director Australian Urban Observatory in the Centre for Urban Research at RMIT University
  • Shaun Middlebrook, Principal First Nations Advisor at the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute

Morning tea and lunch will be provided. This event can count as CPD for PIA members. Please enquire via engageDSC@rmit.edu.au

Presented by RMIT University’s Centre for Urban Research and College of Design and Social Context, in partnership with the Municipal Association of Victoria, Planning Institute of Australia and Australian Institute of Architects Victorian Chapter.

RMIT, Munipal Association of Victoria, Planning Institute Australia and Austrlian Institute of Architects logos

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

Learn more about our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples