As pressures increase for (re)development in urban areas in the face of demand for affordable housing, environmental concerns and changing patterns of employment, open public spaces are constantly having to compete against other land uses. As cities also face calls for reclaiming public space for public use as crucial to the social sustainability and wellbeing of urban living, urban planners and developers seek to find a balance between economic development, environmental challenges and social expectations of residents.

I sincerely welcome our new Executive, appointed at our AGM in May. I am particularly pleased to welcome new members to the Executive - Silvia Velez from Melton City Council, Dianne Hillier from Wollongong City Council, and Kay Delahunt from Tamworth Region. Diane Tabbagh is reappointed as Chair of the ALCN and I thank her for her continued support and leadership.