Hobart-based University of Tasmania graduate Grace Elliott is helping to shape more inclusive and climate-resilient communities through her work as a planner.
Grace studied the Bachelor of Natural Environment and Wilderness Studies (now the Bachelor of Natural Environments and Conservation), where she developed a strong interest in the intersection between people and the environment.
“During my undergraduate studies, I became particularly interested in fields like human geography and environmental justice,” she said.
“I wanted to work in a space where I could promote sustainable development and contribute to conservation and public good.”
It was during the final semester of her undergraduate degree that Grace discovered the Master of Planning and realised it aligned perfectly with her career goals.
“Urban and regional planners work on complex issues like climate resilience, sustainable transport, land use, housing affordability and social inclusion. The idea of helping to create places that are accessible, safe and vibrant really appealed to me.”
The Master of Planning at the University of Tasmania gave Grace a strong foundation in both technical and practical skills, with a focus on climate challenges and equitable place-making.
“The course covered everything from protected area planning to urban design. I gained hands-on knowledge of the day-to-day planning processes in Tasmania, including how to interpret planning schemes and assess development applications.”
Grace described the teaching team in the School of Geography, Planning and Spatial Sciences as a standout feature of the course.
“The staff were so knowledgeable and supportive. They made an effort to incorporate local examples and field trips, which helped to bring the theory into a real-world context.”
As an accredited course by the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA), the Master of Planning also opened the door for Grace to join the national planning community. She became a student (associate) member of PIA and connected with the Tasmanian Emerging Planners network, which helped build valuable early-career connections.
Grace secured her first job in the sector while still in her first semester of the Master of Planning, working as a Graduate Planner at Entura. She now works at Era Advisory and also convenes the Tasmanian Emerging Planners Committee.
In her second year of study, Grace completed a thesis titled Exploring Drivers, Barriers, and Enablers of School-Based Urban Greening in the Face of Climate Change, supervised by Professor Jason Byrne. Her research focused on how school grounds can be transformed through urban greening to protect children from extreme heat, with added benefits for health, education and cultural connection.
The project included policy analysis, interviews with planning professionals, and a focus group with teachers in Brighton, Tasmania. It identified four key success factors: policy frameworks, partnerships and engagement, planning for resilience, and strategic planning.
This research was nationally recognised when Grace received the Tertiary Student Project Award at the Planning Institute of Australia’s 2025 National Awards for Planning Excellence.
“I am very honoured to have been awarded,” Grace said. “I feel proud to represent Tasmania, and more specifically the University of Tasmania, on a national stage.”
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