In 2011, the Mt Pritchard and District Community Club engaged Urbis to complete a stakeholder and community engagement program to inform the redevelopment of the Harbord Diggers precinct on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

The club received less than 10 objections, compared with 6,000 objections from earlier proposals.

To ensure the design took account of the needs of the local community, the club and its members, Urbis conducted briefings, meetings and community information and feedback sessions; provided regular community updates through newsletters; and engaged local residents through a community liaison group, home visits, telephone surveys and a project website. The feedback obtained through the engagement program helped the club develop design concepts, review entries to the architectural design competition and select a preferred master plan for the iconic headland site.

Urbis’ engagement program ensured strong community support for the final master plan and development application – the club received fewer than 10 objections, compared with 6,000 objections from earlier proposals.