Urbis has launched its newly integrated Social Outcomes and Engagement offer, a service that combines industry-leading expertise across the built environment, energy and infrastructure.
As part of Urbis’ over 900 strong multidisciplinary consulting practice, the outcome is a consolidated national team of close to 30 professionals with specialist expertise across social advisory, engagement and communications – one of the largest practices of its kind in Australia.
The move aligns leadership, capability, and delivery, to provide a seamless approach to social impact, social value, and social licence. The integration strengthens Urbis’ ability to help clients deliver meaningful outcomes for communities while managing social risk and meeting regulatory, public and shareholder expectations.
Led by Partner Dianne Knott and Directors Allison Heller and Anna Mitchell, the Social Outcomes and Engagement team draws on decades of experience working on high-profile urban and regional projects across Australia in the property and infrastructure sectors.
These include Tech Central, HumeLink and Hunter Transmission Line projects, New England REZ, High Speed Rail, Suburban Rail Loop, Sydney Metro, Reimagining Campbelltown, Anambah to Branxton, Waterloo South Estate renewal, Aura South, Providence in Queensland, and Sydney’s Aerotropolis, alongside iconic locations such as the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and Southern Cross Station.
“Our clients are navigating an increasingly complex social and economic landscape, with heightened expectations for meaningful engagement, transparency, and public benefit.
“Against a backdrop of mandatory sustainability reporting, national priorities in housing and renewable energy, and economic uncertainty in the AI era, city shaping now demands trusted advice grounded in strong social licence, robust consultation, and tangible social outcomes. Our approach results in a deeper understanding of community sentiment, social risks, and opportunities, assisting our clients to make informed decisions that drive the best outcomes for people and places.
“Our integrated Social Outcomes and Engagement offer ensures we are giving clients the best of our multidisciplinary expertise whilst keeping the tailored client service for which Urbis is known.”
Dianne Knott, Partner, Urbis
Together, the leadership team combines deep expertise in engagement, communications, social impact assessment and social infrastructure planning to support clients navigating increasingly complex social and economic environments.
