Toowoomba Regional Council's (TRC) Urban Designer, Farnoosh Shokoofan, has been awarded Queensland Young Planner of the Year at the Planning Institute Australia (PIA) 2022 Queensland Awards for Planning Excellence.
TRC Planning and Development Committee Chair Cr Megan O'Hara-Sullivan said it was wonderful to see staff from the Toowoomba Region winning a prestigious award like this.
"Farnoosh is passionate, comprehensive and has a strong ethical foundation in her approach to being a planner and urban designer," Cr O'Hara-Sullivan said.
"She is an amazing human being and I'm so proud to have someone of her ability in our team at Toowoomba Regional Council.
"Beyond her role at Council, Farnoosh actively contributes to the planning industry through her involvement with the PIA Queensland Young Planners Committee.
TRC Planning and Development Committee Portfolio Leader Cr Bill Cahill acknowledged Farnoosh's admirable contributions to Council and congratulated her for this award.
"Throughout Farnoosh's three years with Council's Strategic Planning and Economic Development Branch, she's provided urban design advice on major projects like the Toowoomba Region Futures Program, Climate Risk Management Strategy and the Green Infrastructure Strategy," Cr Cahill said.
"Farnoosh is now part of the Regional Architecture and Heritage Branch where she will continue building on her skills and knowledge while providing strategic advice to the industry, community and Council on heritage architecture, design and building certification matters.
"We have an excellent Planning and Development team that supports the strategic direction of building and development within our Region. I'm delighted to hear our staff being recognised for their efforts."
Farnoosh will now be eligible for the PIA National Awards held in May 2023, where she will be competing to win the Australian Young Planner of the Year award.
