ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY: The creation of a Forward Planning Committee was proposed in September 1970 by the Faculty of Agricultural Science in response to the recommendation by the Standing Sub-Committee of Education Committee to establish and ad hoc committee "to examine the present structure of the University to identify the areas of possible [staff] disestablishment". The creation of an expert committee was approved by the Standing sub-Committee at a meeting of 12 November 1970 and by the Education Committee on 10 December 1970. At this meeting of 9 February 1971 the Standing Sub-Committee recommended formally the establishment of a Planning Committee charged with responsibility for future academic planning in the University, including the preparation of submission to the Australian Universitites Commission. The proposed composition was the Vice-Chancellor or Deputy Vice-Chancellor (as Chairman) and the Education Committee chairman ex-officio, three heads of departments, three non professorial members of staff and three students.

Submissions by Dr. E.H. Medlin in February and April 1971 opposed the establishment of a Committee and urged that planning was the responsibility of Council, prompting re-consideration of the recommendation by Education Committee. On 23 April, however, Education Committee resolved unanimously to establish a Planning Committee as a second sub-committee, with responsibility and composition as initially proposed. At a Council meeting of 7 May, a motion by Dr. Medlin that Council appoint a special committee to investiagte planning in the University was passed and a Committee appointed. This Committee issued an interim report in October 1971 recommending the appointment of a Planning Committee by Council, to be directly responsible to Council.

On 8 September 1972 Council appointed members of a Planning Committee but its membership was challenged and not finally determined until December. The Committee as then constituted was a sub-committee of Education Committee, as originally proposed.

The possibility of conflict with the Allocations Committee and the Staff Development Committee and its remoteness from the faculties led to proposals for the amalgamation of these Committees by the Vice-Chancellor in November 1973. After considerable debate, it was proposed that a revised Planning Committee was retained with responsibility for long-term planning and a new Coordinating Committee was established to replace the Allocations Committee, its primary function being the preparation of Universities Commission submissions.

The Plannin gCommitte was disbanded in December 1979 as part of the recommendations of the Corbett report, whereby and Executive Committee took over the role of the Education Committee sub-committees.