Cia Flannery

Cia Flannery sensitively combines environment, consultation, and design within her work. This approach results from over 30 years as a Fellow Registered Landscape Architect, Urban and Place Making Designer in both the Private and Public Sectors. Cia is an AILA National Board Director and ACT AILA Immediate Past President. These positions enable her to be involved and informed with the latest data and approaches being applied nationally and internationally on all matters Urban Design, Climate, Country, and Living Infrastructure. 

Having owned and lead the local company Cia Landscapes and Colour Pty Ltd, Cia is passionate about design integrity and being part of creating better cities. She is not afraid to own her decisions whilst empowering and listening to others she works with so that they can value add to the team. Cia is always progressing and challenging herself and believes that a good designer and leader should set and not follow trends. She was integral to setting up the Green Roofs Australasia association before Green Roofs were in vogue. Likewise, her thought and design approach derive from the basic principles of design, and respond to a site’s history, culture, uniqueness, setting and connection to surrounds. As a result, her designs have a strong sense of place, integrity and a sensitivity that add to the urban form and character of environs.  

More recently Cia has been advising and consulting to Government and Private sectors on all matters design, Place making, colour and bio urbanism and their integration into our cities and planning. .Her expertise has ensured she is design director and part of design review processes for many national projects. 

Summary of Professional Roles 

2023 - Present AILA National Board Director  

2021 - Present Current AILA National Committee for Climate Positive Design 

1991 - Present Company Principal and Owner of Cia Landscapes and Colour Pty Ltd 

2020 - Present NCDRP Panel Member 

2020 - 2022 University of Canberra – School of Design Sessional Staff  

2014 - 2016 Senior Project Officer Assistant, Land Development Authority 

1992 - 1995 Main Street Co-Ordinator, Yass Shire Council 

1988 - 1990 Clouston  and Associates, Sydney and Canberra Offices 

1986 - 1988 Scott and Furphy Engineers, Canberra and Melbourne Office