The official launch of Integrated Planning Solutions was held on 28 February 2013 at Bistro Vue in Melbourne. The launch was attended by various property development industry professionals from both the public and private sectors. The mixed group mingled in the traditional French inspired bistro setting where they soaked in the cosy and informal Parisienne atmosphere discussing opportunites in the current property and infrastructure market.

Integrated Planning Solutions's Director, Gregoria Todaro was introduced to the group by Tony DeDomenico of the Urban Development Institute of Australia. Mr DeDomenico highlighted Gregoria's technical expertise and substantive experience both locally and internationally. "She is a unique and approachable character with a very unique set of credentials" he said.

"There are not too many professionals in our industry who understand the local context and have the perspective that Gregoria has when it comes to planning, property and development. She is a talented young lady, who I had the pleasure of meeting a few years ago when she was the Senior Ministerial Advisor to the then Planning Minister, the Honerable Justin Madden; a position she held for the first two years of the previous government's term. During this time, I witnessed her use her technical qualifications and experience together with her commercial accumen in innovative ways as she assisted the government of the day in the delivery of various policy initiatives and major projects."

Mr DeDomenico went on to say "...Gregoria is no stranger to the property development industry and I have no doubt she will find many innovative solutions in the delivery of integrated development solutions on various projects in her new role."

Excited and nervous by the overwhelming support of her professional mentors and some the industry's most well known personalities; Gregoria thanked Mr DeDomenico for his support and kind words.

In her response, Gregoria's passion for planning and development became obvious to all in the room, as she outlined the unique business structure of Integrated Planning Solutions. The firm enables projects to draw from different experts and industry professionals from across the state, Australia and abroad. In outlining the importance of getting the 'A' team for each project, Gregoria said "..if you accept that every parcel of land is different, then you must accept that each project is different with its own unique set of challenges. On this basis, no one firm has the best people for every project every time. Each project requires different personalities with different strengths to work together as a team in order to get the job done in an efficient and effective way - Integrated Planning Solutions gives clients the flexibility to do this."

uoting Shakespeare's famous line "...the people are the city" (The Tragedy of Coriolanus) ...in the context of explaining the importance of developing projects that identify with local communities and place, as well as the Finnish architect Eliel Saarien who said "...always design a thing by considering it in its next larger context - a chair in a room, a room in a house, a house in an environment, an environment in a city plan..." in order to outline the importance of context when pushing boundaries; Gregoria's depth in technical understanding became clear.

Gregoria also outlined the importance of utilising place making principles and policiy in the efficient and effective delivery of development projects. She said "...we have to have regard to the basic place making principles when devising strategies on new projects particularly if you are challenging the status quo or pushing the boundaries". Policy should also never be underestimated "...it is a flexible tool and the opportunities are endless".

She thanked everyone for their support and attention inspiring the room with the opportunities and possibilities that 2013 would bring.

If you have any questions about any of the above or would like to get some advice on property and infrastructure development projects, please do not hesitate to contact Gregoria Todaro on 0422 811 611.