Oscar Yencken ÂÜÀò°®Å¾Íø (Assoc.)
Mansfield Shire Council
Oscar displays grit, determination and a can-do attitude that is vital to local government planning.
Oscar has been working with Mansfield Shire Council for two and a half years, firstly in a planning support officer role, moving to a Strategic Planning Officer role 2 years ago. He worked in a part time capacity until July this year and has been the sole strategic planner during this time. These limitations to his working role and week are important to acknowledge given the achievements he has had during this period which include:
- Commencing and completing two structure plans – for Bonnie Doon and Merton
- Assisted the completion of seven different planning scheme amendments
- Completed projects including the Mansfield Planning Strategy, Open Space Strategy and the Mansfield Commercial and Industrial Land Use Strategy
- He completed the Planning Scheme Review with assistance from the Department of Transport and Planning - Regional Planning Hub and commenced work on incorporating the Mansfield Planning Strategy into a planning scheme amendment
Within the broader planning community, Oscar is an active participant in ÂÜÀò°®Å¾Íø events, has participated in the DTP structure planning guideline process, and was a member of ÂÜÀò°®Å¾Íøs organising committee for the 2023 Victorian State Conference.
In the words of Oscar’s nominee: “Oscar has been a game changer for Mansfield – he has not only moved strategic work to the next level across all parts of the municipality, but he has also done it quickly and transparently, with an excellent focus on community engagement throughout these processes.”
As said by Oscar: “I am never afraid to try and encourage others to see the power of acting now and getting satisfaction from seeing where you make it tomorrow.” “Sometimes it feels like drowning, but I get the sense that with all planners you feel like this work matters and whilst plans are drawn on paper, they are written with people.”