WILLIS LAUDED AS QUEENSLAND'S TOP YOUNG PLANNER

GOLD Coast Young Entrepreneur finalist Nicole Willis has taken out a major Queensland award by the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA).

Willis has taken out the Robert Swider Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement by a Young Planner in the PIA’s 2014 Awards for Planning Excellence for her contribution to the planning industry.

PIA Queensland president Kate Isles says the judges were impressed with the dedication and enthusiasm for planning Willis has displayed in her short career.

Willis, who co-founded Taylor Willis Town Planners with Robert Taylor in 2009, has made her mark on the industry at a young age. She is just 25 and is the convenor of the Gold Coast branch of the PIA.

“Nicole Willis has demonstrated a commitment and passion for planning since her graduation in 2010, and is a worthy recipient of the Robert Swider Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement by a Young Planner,” Isles says.

“Nicole prides herself on championing good planning outcomes, and applies her sharp problem solving skills to each project she is involved with.

“In her role as the convener of the Planning Institute of Australia’s Gold Coast branch, Nicole’s professionalism, energy and enthusiasm has made an outstanding contribution to raising the profile of planning on the Gold Coast.

“Nicole is a committed young planner who has a bright future in the industry. She deserves recognition within Queensland’s planning community as an outstanding young planner.”

Willis was named a finalist in the building and construction category of the Gold Coast Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, which are hosted by Gold Coast Business News.

The award was taken out by Dallas Heale and Theodore Vairaktaris, who head painting contractor Usher & Son.

?Nicole is pictured left.