Award-winning work with impact.

2023

Peter Harrison Memorial Prize
State of Australasian Cities Conference 2023
Awarded to research judged to make a distinctive contribution to knowledge and capacity for the ecologically sustainable development of Australian cities and regions. SGS and Australian National University were awarded for research on 'superdiversity', highlighting the need for nuanced policy to embrace and leverage diversity effectively.

2021

Australian Financial Review’s Best Places to Work (Top 10)
Category: Professional Services
SGS was honoured to be recognised as one of Australia and New Zealand’s Top 10 Best Places to Work. The prestigious annual list, published by The Australian Financial Review and Boss Magazine, is based on a rigorous assessment process.


Client Choice Award
Category: Best Planning Firm (<$30m revenue)
The Client Choice Awards recognise best practice in the professional services sector and are based on client feedback for professional services firms in Australia and New Zealand. There are no panels, judges or self-nominations, only client ratings that are independently researched by Beaton Consulting + Research.

2020

National Award: Best Planning Ideas - Large Project
Planning Institute of Australia
Project: City of Ballarat, Creative City Strategy and Masterplan
In conjunction with MGS Architects, Left Bank Co. and Eleni Arbus

2019

Award: Best Planning Idea Large Project
Planning Institute of Australia (VIC Division)
Project: City of Ballarat, Creative City Strategy and Masterplan
In conjunction with MGS Architects, Left Bank Co. and Eleni Arbus

National Award: Economic Development for Strategic Thinking
Economic Development Australia
Project: City of Ballarat, Creative City Strategy and Masterplan
Category: Strategic Thinking

Finalist: Premier's Design Award for Design Strategy
Victorian Premier's Design Award
Project: City of Ballarat, Creative City Strategy and Masterplan
In conjunction with MGS Architects, Left Bank Co. and Eleni Arbus

Shortlisted: Australian Urban Design Award for Leadership, Advocacy and Research
Australian Urban Design Awards
Project: Ballarat's Creative Precinct Master Plan
In conjunction with MGS Architects, Mary Papaioannou and City of Ballarat

2018

Award for Best Planning Idea Large Project
Planning Institute of Australia (ACT Division)
Project: Rental Affordability Index
Awarded to SGS in conjunction with National Shelter and Community Sector Banking

Award for The Hard-Won Victory
Planning Institute of Australia (NSW Division)
Project: Canterbury Road Review
Awarded to SGS in conjunction with Canterbury-Bankstown Council, GHD, Tim Moore and Associates, Hill Thalis Architecture and Urban Projects.

Commendation for Cutting Edge Research and Teaching
Planning Institute of Australia (NSW Division)
Project: Sydney's Urban Services Land: Establishing a Baseline Provision

2017

Award for National Planning Champion
Planning Institute of Australia (National)
Awarded to Terry Rawnsley

2016

Award for Best Planning Idea Large Project
Planning Institute of Australia (ACT Division)
Project: Integrated Transport and Land Use Planning Guidelines
Awarded to SGS in conjunction with Transport and Infrastructure Council

2015

Commendation for Young Planner of the Year
Planning Institute of Australia (NSW Division)
Awarded to Laura Schmahmann

Award for the 2015 President's Award
Planning Institute of Australia (NSW Division)
Awarded to Pat Fensham

2014

Award for Cutting Edge Research and Teaching
Planning Institute of Australia (ACT Division) Awards for Planning Excellence
Project: Housing and Infrastructure Study

Commendation for Cutting Edge Research and Teaching
Planning Institute of Australia (Queensland Division) Awards for Planning Excellence
Project: Gold Coast: Modelled Future
Awarded to SGS Economics and Planning in conjunction with Gold Coast City Council

2013

Commendation for Best Planning Ideas - Large Projects
Planning Institute of Australia (NSW Division) Awards for Planning Excellence
Project: Wyong Shire Employment Lands Study and Industrial Land Audit project.
Awarded to SGS in conjunction with Wyong Shire Council

Commendation for Cutting Edge Research and Teaching
Planning Institute of Australia (Victoria Division) Awards for Planning Excellence
Project: Financial Costs of Settlement Patterns in Rural Victoria
Awarded to SGS in partnership with Aurecon, Rural Councils Australia and Municipal Association of Victoria

Award for Outstanding Student Project
Planning Institute of Australia (NSW Division) Awards for Planning Excellence
Awarded to Laura Schmahmann for "Regulating Urban Design: a comparative study of knockdown rebuild"

2012

Commendation for Workplace Award - Consultant Planner
Planning Institute of Australia (ACT)

2011

PIA Workplace Award - Consultant Planner for 2011
Planning Institute of Australia (ACT)

PIA Workplace Award - Consultant Planner for 2011
Planning Institute of Australia (Victoria)

National Award for Planning Excellence in Social and Community Based Planning
Planning Institute of Australia (National) Awards for Planning Excellence
Project: ‘Dollars and Sense: The Community Value of Victorian Public Libraries' (undertaken in conjunction with Environmetrics)