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Entura’s planning expertise recognised at Planning Institute of Australia Awards

26 May, 2023

Entura’s Senior Environmental Planner Bunfu Yu has been recognised as the Planning Institute of Australia’s (PIA) National Young Planner of the Year.

Ms Yu was awarded the title at the awards ceremony on Wednesday, May 24, which took place in Adelaide. It is the first time in almost 20 years that a Tasmanian candidate has won the national title.

“It’s all a bit surreal still, but what I do know very clearly is that this award is in no way an individual award,” Ms Yu said in her acceptance speech. “It’s only possible because of the opportunities I’ve been given across my career so far. Many projects and people who have challenged, pushed, and supported me, but most of all, allowed me to have fun at work and let my passion naturally grow.”

“So to my team at Entura, including my colleagues who are here today, colleagues at Hydro Tasmania in particular, Ian Jones who nominated me for this award, and the many other planners, urban designers, engineers, and others, who I’ve been fortunate enough to work with and learn from, thank you for sharing your knowledge, being my sounding board for whacky ideas, and keeping me on my toes.”

Bunfu Yu (middle) accepting her award. Credit: Planning Institute of Australia

The judges commended Ms Yu on her passion for the planning and delivery of renewable energy infrastructure projects through her role at Entura. They also highlighted her commitment to the planning profession through involvement in PIA events, mentoring and knowledge sharing, as excellent contributions to the field and her own professional development.

“Bunfu has been a committed and passionate member of Entura during her time with the business, and this recognition of her achievements is well deserved,” said Entura’s Managing Director, Tammy Chu.

“We are proud to foster an environment in which our people can grow their skills and capabilities, and Bunfu’s professional development is a testament to that.”

It follows from her win in the PIA awards’ Tasmanian division earlier this year. She was nominated for the award by Hydro Tasmania’s Principal Environmental Planning and Policy Specialist, Ian Jones, who said: “Bunfu demonstrates the highest qualities of an emerging planning professional through her outstanding technical delivery and project management at Entura.”

“She has developed a considerable suite of skills that span statutory, strategic, and environmental planning, stakeholder engagement and communications, and project management.”

Ms Yu has been involved in a number of key projects across Australia, including a pumped hydro project in Queensland, a critical water supply development for a remote town in New South Wales, managing approvals for a Victorian wind farm, and her ongoing work on the landmark Battery of the Nation project and Marinus Link.

“Planning has a collective vision to make places better for people,” she said on Wednesday.

“Whether it’s through our work, the causes we champion, or the way we represent communities. It’s also about values, those which define us as a person and which are behind our ideas and decision making, and it’s so important to not lose sight of those. Planning good spaces and places is our best way to give back.”