Alternate State members

Blake Cansdale

Blake is a proud Anaiwan man. He was born on Tharawal Country and has spent most of his life on Darkinjung land on the Central Coast of NSW. Blake brings a complex understanding of Country to all his work in the NSW planning system.

Blake has a diverse range of educational and professional achievements, including significant senior-level experience in Aboriginal land planning in NSW. He has qualifications in psychology, law, public policy and management.

Blake’s multi-disciplinary career includes experience working as a criminal solicitor, child protection policy practitioner, policy lawyer and as a chief operating officer. In his current role as chief operating officer at Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council, Blake is responsible for Darkinjung’s extensive portfolios for acquiring, managing and developing land.
 

Dr Danièle Hromek

Dr Danièle Hromek is a Saltwater woman of the Budawang tribe of the Yuin nation, with French and Czech heritage. Danièle is a spatial designer and Country-centred designer.

Danièle is the first Indigenous person in Australia to achieve a PhD in spatial disciplines. Her research and experience contributed to the Connecting with Country framework and Designing with Country discussion piece by Government Architect NSW.

As director of Djinjama, Danièle’s methods lead its approach to working with Country. Her work as a researcher, educator and cultural advisor brings Country, culture and community to the built environment by creating spaces to substantially affect Indigenous rights and culture. Clients include state and local government, museums and galleries, as well as industry including architects, planners, designers, heritage and engineering firms.

Yvonne Weldon

Yvonne is a proud Wiradjuri woman who maintains strong ties to her homelands of Cowra and the Riverina areas of NSW. Yvonne follows in the footsteps of a proud tradition of activists and change-makers.

Yvonne is the deputy chair of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council and is an independent councillor for the City of Sydney. She is the first Aboriginal councillor in the City of Sydney's 180-year history.

Yvonne has 30 years' experience driving positive reform in health, human services, child care services, child protection, housing, disability and heritage. She has held senior positions in key government and Aboriginal organisations. Yvonne currently serves as deputy chair of the NSW Australia Day Council and as a board member of Domestic Violence NSW.

In 2022, Yvonne was recognised as the NSW Aboriginal Woman and appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for her service to the Aboriginal community of NSW.

Scott Barwick

Scott is a planner with over 30 years’ experience in local government and private practice. He holds a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning, is a Registered Planner and a Registered Environmental Assessment Practitioner (REAP).

Scott sits on a number of Local Planning Panels and has been professionally involved in a range of development assessment and strategic planning projects and regularly appeared as an expert witness in the Land and Environment Court.

John Brockhoff

BSc(Hons), MEnvPlan, Executive Master of Public Administration

John is a Registered Planner and Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia with 30 years’ experience as a planner, public sector manager and consultant in city strategy, infrastructure and environmental assessment.

John is National Policy Director for the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA). John guided the preparation of PIA’s policy position on ‘infrastructure and its funding’, the Parliamentary Inquiry into the ‘development of cities’ and PIA’s call for a ‘National Settlement Strategy’.

John previously led the technical development and delivery of Sydney’s Metropolitan Strategy. He has contributed to state and local policy for urban renewal, employment lands and the integration of land use and transport. In private practice, John has led the project development and EIA of major infrastructure proposals.

John has extensive experience in planning strategy and local and state level development assessment in NSW across housing, commercial and industrial projects.

Stacey Brodbeck

Stacey has over 30 years of experience in the areas of planning and urban design. In particular, she specialises in visual and landscape impact assessment of large-scale infrastructure/facilities and urban development proposals. Stacey’s skills give her the ability to integrate natural and built environments through reducing impacts to scenic values and seeking design opportunities to improve new development.

Stacey holds a degree in landscape architecture and a masters in environmental planning, as well as being both a Registered Landscape Architect and Registered Planner. She is recognised as an expert in visual impact and view loss matters in the NSW Land and Environment Court.

Stacey has worked in both government and multi-disciplinary firms and is now the Director of a small consultancy. She has been a member of various Local Planning Panels, SEPP 65 Design Review Panels and Independent Hearing and Assessment (IHAP) Panels.

Clare Brown

Further information to be provided.

Graham Brown

Graham Brown is a retired Commissioner and Acting Senior Commissioner of the Land and Environment Court of NSW having served a total of three seven-year appointments.  During his time at the Court, Graham heard over 2000 appeals on a wide range of planning and related issues across NSW.  He currently sits as Chair, Alternate Chair or Expert on six local planning panels and is a delegate of Northern Beaches Council on the Sydney North Regional panel.

Prior to his appointment to the Court,  Graham was the Director of Planning Services at Baulkham Hills Shire Council (now The Hills Shire Council) where he oversaw the urbanisation of large parts of the local government area, including the Rouse Hill Release Area, in addition to subdivision, development control, building, health and waste and recycling services.

Graham has a Degree in Environmental Planning, a Graduate Diploma in Environmental Studies and a master’s degree in Business Administration.

He is a Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia and is a Nationally Accredited Mediator.

Susan Budd

Susan Budd has more than three decades’ experience working with planning law. During her career, Susan has worked for the NSW Department of Planning, Local Government NSW and in the private sector. As well as her extensive knowledge of legal issues arising in the context of the NSW planning system, Susan has strong experience in public sector corporate governance, including corruption prevention.

Susan has a Master of Environmental Law, a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws, all from the University of Sydney. Susan is a member of the Law Society of NSW and is admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of NSW.

Louise Camenzuli

Louise Camenzuli is a partner of Corrs Chambers Westgarth Lawyers with a speciality in planning and environmental law issues. Louise has provided advice to government agencies and private sector clients on significant projects in NSW.  She has a particular interest in strategic planning and rezonings, infrastructure and biodiversity.

Louise has a degree in Economics (Social Science), a degree in Law, with Honours, and a doctorate in Judicial Studies, all from the University of Sydney. Louise is an elected member of the Planning Committee of the Property Council of Australia.

Grant Christmas

Grant is an experienced and respected solicitor and former town planner who has practised for over 30 years in the areas of local government administration, town planning, environmental assessment and planning and environmental law.

Grant is the principal of the boutique law firm, Apex Planning and Environment Law, which is located in Brookvale NSW. Grant is also currently the Chair of Sutherland Local Planning Panel, and the alternate chair of the Canterbury Bankstown Local Planning Panel. Grant also sits as an expert member on the Camden, Central Coast, Cumberland, Liverpool and North Sydney Local Planning Panels.

Grant holds a Bachelor of Town Planning from the University of New South Wales and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Technology Sydney. Grant is an accredited specialist in local government and planning law as awarded by the Law Society of NSW and is currently a Member of the Law Society’s Specialist Accreditation Committee (Planning and Environment).

Jua Cilliers

is the Head of the School of Built Environment, and Professor of Urban Planning at the University of Technology Sydney (Australia). She has 19+ years’ experience as Professional Planner, with professional registrations from both the South African Council for Planners (SACPLAN) and the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA). Jua is the Co-chair of the Climate Action Group of the Commonwealth Association of Planners and former Board Member of the International Society of City and Regional Planners. Her research expertise pertaining to the planning of sustainable cities, nature-based solutions and community engagement to enhance quality of life.

She holds a 4-year professional Planning degree (B.Art et Scien) and Master’s in Planning degree, as well as Master’s in Economics degree, and Doctoral degree in Urban and Regional Planning. To date she supervised 84 Honours Planning students, 34 MSc students, 8 PhD students and 4 Post-doctoral fellows. She received awards for Teaching Excellence, Research Excellence and Excellence in Community Engagement respectively. She has a widespread international collaborative network, inclusive of global players such as the International Society of City Planners (ISOCARP), UN-habitat, the Habitat Profession Forum, Global Planners Network, the International Centre for Local Democracy, and Commonwealth Association of Planners.

Judy Clark

Judith (Judy) has over 40 years’ experience in statutory and strategic land use planning, mainly in local government. Judy has held management positions with several Sydney councils, in both urban and peri-urban settings and has extensive, practical knowledge of development assessment in NSW. Her experience also includes policy development and conducting independent process reviews.

Judy is a Registered Planner and holds a BSc (Hons) from the University of NSW. Judy acts an expert town planning witness in the Land and Environment Court and is a member of several Local Planning Panels.

Stephen Davies

Further information to be provided

Pam Dean Jones

Pam is a Senior Principal Consultant and Associate at Umwelt with more than four decades experience in coastal zone management, natural resource management, environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental and land use planning, policy and program review in NSW. She has expertise and extensive experience in coastal and catchment management, including detailed technical studies in geomorphology, wetlands, soils, land capability and Aboriginal heritage, the preparation of coastal management plans and programs for local councils, and preparation of sustainability assessments and climate change adaptation strategies for state and local government authorities.

Pam is a member of the NSW Coastal Council, appointed by the Minister for Local Government to provide independent and strategic advice on the implementation of the Coastal Management Act 2016. She recently led the Coastal Council’s review of social, cultural, economic, governance and knowledge constraints to coordinated management of NSW estuaries.

Pam’s experience also spans environmental regulation, operational management; and community and stakeholder engagement, including in relation to strategic planning issues, environmental and coastal values, cultural heritage, and public land management. She has a sound understanding of potential land use issues, opportunities and conflicts associated with environmental and economic change, including the roles and perspectives of all levels of government and local and regional communities.

Over more than 25 years in consultancy roles, Pam has provided expert advice at project director or manager level for public and private sector clients, such as Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment (now DCCEEW); Defence; NSW Department of Planning and Environment and it forerunner/constituency agencies such as Planning, Fisheries, Primary Industries, Crown Lands, Office of Environment and Heritage and National Parks and Wildlife Service; NSW Natural Resources Commission; Urban Growth NSW; Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation; Hunter Central Rivers Local Land Services; Hunter Water Corporation; ACT Government, multiple local Councils across the Hunter and Central Coast regions; and the resources and urban development sectors.

Kerry Doss

Kerry Doss has in excess of 33 years’ experience in planning & urban development in New South Wales and Queensland. He has also worked on planning projects as a senior manager and leader, planner & as a consultant to all levels of government & private industry.

Kerry was Brisbane City Council’s Manager of City Planning & Economic Development from 2008 to 2017. This role oversaw urban design, infrastructure planning, regional & strategic planning, neighbourhood planning & urban renewal, heritage, place management & economic development.

From 2017 to 2022 Kerry was State Planner and Deputy Director-General Planning Group, in the Queensland Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure & Planning. This included managing planning legislation, an ongoing process of planning reform, regional planning, managing the State Assessment & Referral Agency, development assessment of state significant projects, planning policy and strategy development and advice on planning matters across State Government and to Queensland’s 77 local government Authorities.

Kerry is also strongly committed to professional development & has an active role in the Planning Institute of Australia (former QLD Vice President, Registered Planner and a Fellow of the institute) and various advisory roles with Griffith University and the University of Queensland. He has qualifications in coastal management, urban and regional planning, business management and project management.

Cinnamon Dunsford

Further information to be provided.

Michael File

Further information to be provided.

Sue Francis

Sue Francis has had more than 38 years' experience as a planner in both local government and in the private sector. She has held executive positions at Woollahra, North Sydney and Warringah Councils and is currently the Executive Director of City Plan Strategy and Development where she provides consultancy services for both private clients and government agencies on State and local government levels.

Sue has a Diploma and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Planning, both from the UK. Sue is a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute, a CPP member of the Planning Institute of Australia, a member of the Planning Committee of the Property Council of Australia and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Sue is Chair of the Wollongong Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel (Wollongong IHAP) and a member of the Mosman Development Assessment Panel.

Fiona Gainsford

Fiona Gainsford has a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Applied Geography and 28 years’ experience in environmental impact assessment and strategic planning. She has worked extensively on Crown and private sector developments on a diverse range of social and physical infrastructure projects across NSW.

Fiona is a Certified Environmental Practitioner – Impact Assessment specialist, Registered Environmental Assessment Practitioner (REAP) has and governance qualifications as a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is a Fellow and Board Member of the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand.

Fiona currently serves as an independent expert on the Wollondilly and Liverpool Local Planning Panels. She is known for her strong emotional intelligence and collaborative manner.

Stephen Gow

Stephen Gow has 34 years’ experience in planning, working for local government and in private practise. Having lived and worked in Northern NSW for more than 25 years, Stephen has considerable experience working with significant developments and has a particular interest in heritage matters.

Stephen has a Master’s degree in Environmental and Local Government Law from Macquarie University in 2000, a Graduate Diploma (Applied Science) Environmental Health from the University of Western Sydney in 1994 and an Honours degree in Town Planning from the Polytechnic of the South Bank in London in 1977. He is a Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia.

Stephen has served on the Northern Regional Planning Panel since 2016.

Juliet Grant

Juliet Grant is a respected and experienced planner with 30 years strategic and statutory experience in local and state government and the consulting environment. She has a deep knowledge of the political, policy and legislative environment and an in depth understanding of government processes and how to apply them.

Juliet is immediate past President of the Planning Institute of Australia’s NSW Division and is a Fellow of PIA and Registered Planner with accreditation under the NSW Government Environmental Assessment Practitioner (REAP) Scheme.

Juliet is a Commissioner on the Independent Planning Commission and is an expert member of the Georges River, Hornsby and Hawkesbury Local Planning Panels. Juliet was previously a state appointed expert member on the Hunter and Central Coast Planning Panel (2019-2022).

Nicole Gurran

Nicole Gurran is Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Sydney. Nicole has led and collaborated on numerous research projects, with a focus on affordable housing, and has worked with local and State government in several roles related to planning and housing issues. Nicole directs the University’s Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) node.

Nicole lives in Sydney and has a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Sydney. She is a Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia and an Executive Member of the International Urban Planning and Environment Association. Nicole also has a Doctorate of Philosophy, a Graduate Certificate in Higher Education and a Bachelor of Arts, all from the University of Sydney.

Christopher Hallam

Chris Hallam has 50 years of experience as a professional roads and traffic engineer, initially employed by NSW Government Departments and a transport consultancy firm, before establishing his own practice in 1986, with a particular expertise in development traffic assessment. He has a Bachelor of Engineering degree (University of Sydney) and a Master of Engineering Science, in traffic and transport engineering (University of NSW).

He developed most of the NSW Government guidelines for traffic impact assessment. His research on environmental capacity was instrumental in redeveloping major industrial sites in Sydney, facilitating urban consolidation.

He has been involved in a number of regional road studies, including EIS project management and subsequent road hierarchy planning in new residential estates. He is an Expert Member on Penrith and Blue Mountains Local Planning Panels.

John Hann

John Hann has extensive experience in land use planning, covering both the public & private sectors across multiple state planning jurisdictions. He is a Churchill Fellow & served as a commissioner and subsequently Deputy Chair of the NSW Independent Planning Commission between 2015 and 2021. In 2021, John was appointed to the NSW Flood Inquiry as a Principal Advisor and more recently as Chair of the NSW Flood Risk Technical Advisory Group.

John’s senior management roles in the private sector include leading planning approvals, environmental assessment, compliance and stakeholder engagement in the heavy construction materials industry and as a corporate advisor to top 200 ASX listed companies and more recently in the renewable energy sector.  Over this time, John has focused on critical aspects of land use planning and approval processes, including adequacy of environmental assessment, indigenous relationships & stakeholder engagement.

Natasha Harras

Natasha is a respected Town Planner with more than 20 years’ experience with a strong focus on development assessment.  Natasha has held a variety of positions, including leadership roles, within both state and local government (in Australia and overseas) as well as the private sector. 

Natasha holds tertiary qualifications in Urban and Regional Planning, Law, and Environmental Management.

Since establishing her planning consultancy in 2018, Natasha assists a variety of clients across a wide range of planning matters.  This includes supporting the Department of Planning in a range of its functions, including the assessment of State Significant Developments and in preparation of policy, such as the ‘Development Assessment Best Practice Guidelines’, assisting industry-based clients undertaking a range of urban developments, and assisting local councils with the assessment of development applications.

Penny Holloway

Penny holds urban planning, public policy and board director qualifications. She has over 30 years’ experience and expertise in government administration, strategic planning and program delivery at senior executive levels in state and local government in Victoria and New South Wales. At the CEO level, she has held the positions of Chief Executive Officer of the Lord Howe Island Board; General Manager, North Sydney Council and Chief Executive Officer, Latrobe City Council (Victoria).

Penny has local planning panel experience being the Alternate Chair of Local Planning Panels at Woollahra, Burwood and Hornsby Shire Councils as well as being a State Member on the Northern Regional Planning Panel from 2020 to 2022. Penny has extensive Board experience and is currently a Board member of Local Government Procurement Pty Ltd and the Victorian Planning Authority. She is also an independent member of the Northern Sydney Local Health District Board Audit and Risk Committee.

Penny holds the qualifications of Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Monash University; Bachelor of Social Work, University of Melbourne; Graduate Diploma in Public Policy, University of Melbourne; Masters of Urban Planning, University of Melbourne and Diploma, Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Glennys James

Glennys (Glennis) is a qualified town planner and worked at Blacktown City Council from 1976 until 2021, starting as a cadet town planner. She was promoted to deputy department head, and then contributed as a director of planning, development and other council services for 31 years. Glennys also served as assistant general manager for 15 years over this period.

Glennys is a recognised expert in contributions policy and has been a member of numerous state government advisory committees over her career. She is the recipient of 2 Planning Institute of Australia (NSW Division) awards for Planning Excellence.

Glennys was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2019 for ‘her outstanding public service to local government administration, and to town planning, in New South Wales’. She was awarded the Key to Blacktown City in October 2021 for her contribution to the growth and development of Blacktown City.

David Johnson

Further information to be provided.

Kim Johnston

Kim Johnston has over 25 years’ experience in statutory urban planning for Local and State Governments as well as within private consultancy. Kim has extensive experience and a proven track record with the assessment and resolution of contentious and complex regionally significant development applications and planning proposals as well as with a broad range of other development types.

Kim has previously worked at Sutherland Shire, Bankstown (consultancy unit), Wollongong and the former Leichhardt Councils as well as the Department of Planning in the Major Projects Assessment Teams. Kim established KJ Planning in 2010 and regularly undertakes the preparation and assessment of major development applications for applicants, Councils and the Department of Planning as well as the assessment of Planning Proposals. Kim also has experience as an expert witness in the Land and Environment Court of NSW.

Kim holds a Bachelor of Environmental Science degree (Honours) from the University of Wollongong, a Master’s Degree in Environmental Law from the University of Sydney and a Graduate Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of New England. She is a Registered Planner with the Planning Institute of Australia and has highly developed written, computer and communication skills with a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the NSW planning system.

Brian Kirk

Brian Kirk has post-graduate qualifications in town planning (University of Sydney) and land economics (UTS) and is a member of the Planning Institute Australia and the Australian Property Institute (Certified Development Practitioner and Certified Property Practitioner). Brian held various senior positions in local government and with the NSW Public Service before starting his own consultancy more than 20 years ago.

Brian’s experience in planning and property is wide ranging, with particular expertise in statutory and strategic planning. Brian continues to provide advice to local and State government, industry and the wider community on major projects, environmental impact assessment and land use planning matters. Brian has a depth of experience as an expert witness in litigation and dispute resolution in the NSW Land and Environment Court.

Brian is a current member of a number of Local Planning Panels and was first appointed to the Sydney North Planning Panel in January 2020.

David Kitto

Further information to be provided.

Stephen Leathley

Stephen Leathley is a town planner with over 35 years’ experience having worked in senior management roles in local government and the private sector including as founder and Planning Director of Insite Planning Services. A degree qualified and registered town planner, Stephen also holds a Master of Business Administration. He is a Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia and was the founding chair of the Planning Institutes Local Government Planning chapter at the national and divisional levels. Stephen also served as the editor of the Planning Institutes journal New Planner and served on the NSW Divisional Committee of PIA.

Stephen has led a number of significant strategic projects including NSW’s first Koala Management Plan at Port Stephens, a specialist planning team providing a planning framework for the urban areas of the Blue Mountains as part of its listing as a World Heritage area, and award-winning projects including the Hawkesbury Wildlife Corridor Plan, Vineyards Signage Project and the Muswellbrook LEP Review.

Stephen has significant experience in environmental assessment in the resource, tourism and commercial sectors and was responsible for Masterplanning numerous urban release areas across NSW. He is currently a panel member for the Blue Mountains and Central Coast LPP’s, alternate chair at Hawkesbury and Wingecarribee LPP’s, and is a representative for Wingecarribee and Central Coast Councils on their RPP’s.

David Llyod KC

Lawyer and KC. Former judge of The Land and Environment Court. Former Acting Judge of The Supreme Court of NSW. Former Visiting Fellow, Australian National University. Adjunct Professor, School of Law, Western Sydney University. Chair of two Local Planning Panels.

Helen Lochhead

Professor Helen Lochhead is the Dean of the Faculty of Built Environment at the University of New South Wales.  Helen is an architect, landscape architect and urban designer who has held senior roles in the NSW government. These roles include Deputy Government Architect, Executive Director roles at Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority and Sydney Olympic Park Authority.

Helen is a member of the Planning Assessment Commission, is on the National Board of the Australian Institute of Architects and is on the Board of Directors for the AIA Foundation. Helen has previously been appointed to the Central Sydney Planning Committee, the ACT Planning and Land Council, Gungahlin Development Authority and the NSW Heritage Council.

Helen graduated from the University of Sydney and Columbia University and has taught in Australia and the United States. Helen was a Fulbright Scholar and has received a number of Fellowships, including the Lincoln/Loeb Fellowship at the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University and the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy.

Tony McBurney

Tony McBurney is an architect who has worked in government, corporate development, private practice and academic roles for more than four decades. He lives in Regional NSW and exercises a strong interest in regional development, affordable & diverse housing.

Having been an Owner/ Director of Integrated Design Group from its inception for 23yrs, Tony now consults independently to projects of interest, especially for small lot housing and to address “the missing middle” of housing supply in NSW.

An interest in human culture and equity takes Tony across the globe and particularly extensive engagement with Uganda, where he has masterplanned the city of Gulu and designed 5 school and health campuses, including the exemplar Amazima Secondary School near Jinja.

Tony has served on various advisory panels and committees including: Camden Council Design Advisory Panel; on Session of the local Presbyterian Church; Charles Sturt University Regional Consultative Committee; a Regional Council Tourism reference group, a range of specific project Design Review Panels; and the Australian Network for Universal Housing Design. He is a member of the Board of EMI East Africa.

Anthony McNamara

Tony has been involved in Planning and Local Government for over 40 years. He has held the role of Chief Director at Wollondilly Shire, Hastings Council (now City of Port Macquarie -Hastings Council) and the City of Canada Bay. Because of the broad span of control required of senior positions in local government, Tony’s understanding of planning goes well beyond buildings and land subdivision, and encompasses the assessment and delivery of essential services to communities in both established and growing regions.

Tony also spent several years at a senior level at an environmental consultancy (Environmental Resources Management) dealing with environmental impact assessment of significant infrastructure projects including main road upgrades, transmission line installations and development proposals for residential and commercial projects.

He has been a member of the Port Macquarie Hastings Local Planning Panel since 2021 and alternate Community Member on the North Coast Regional Planning Panel.  

Tony was a committee member of the NSW Division of the Planning Institute of Australia, including a term as Division President. As a North Coast member of the Institute Tony was a member of the NSW Coastal Council. As an early implementer of the Standard Template LEP at Canada Bay Council, Tony assisted the NSW Department of Planning in its roll out of the Template including consultation with Councils around NSW and addressing issues of local concern.

His qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts from UNSW; Master of Environmental and Local Government Law, Macquarie University; Post Grad Diploma in Urban Studies, Macquarie University; Post-Graduate Diploma in Local Government Studies Mitchell CAE, and Local Government Certificate as Town and Country Planner.

Stacey Miers

Further information to be provided.

Helena Miller

Helena Miller is a highly skilled expert planner with over 30 years’ experience across all facets of the New South Wales planning system specialising in both statutory and strategic planning.  Her career has spanned State and local government as well as the private sector providing her with valuable understanding of the industry’s key players and their drivers as well as community interests. She has worked on some of Sydney’s pivotal projects throughout her career and brings a highly analytical whilst practical approach to all projects.

Helena is a Member of the Planning Institute of Australia, Registered Planner and holds a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning and post graduate qualifications in Natural Resources Law. Helena acts an expert town planning witness in the Land and Environment Court and is an expert member of a number of Local Planning Panels including in city, suburban and regional council areas.

Paul Mitchell

Further information to be provided.

Gabrielle Morrish

Gabrielle Morrish has over 30 years urban design and architectural experience, both at executive levels in State and Local Government and within private practice as principal and managing director of GMU. She specialises in urban design both on a city and precinct level.

Gabrielle is a member of Waverley, Woollahra and Strathfield Local Planning Panels and is also a member of a number of design review panels for both Local and State Government across Sydney and NSW.

She has held the positions of Vice President UDIA and has been a Councillor of the AIA. She is also a life fellow of the AIA. She won the inaugural UDIA Women in Development Leadership award 2010. She has also held the role of the Director of the Urban Design Advisory Service, a business unit within the Department of Planning. She has been a member of the Central Sydney Planning Committee and the Urban Design Advisory Committee to the NSW State Government.

Gabrielle holds an honours degree in Architecture from UNSW and is a registered architect both in NSW and the United Kingdom. She is a recognised Urban Design Expert in Land and Environment Court matters.

Stephen Murray

Stephen has over 25 years of planning, leadership and management experience, primarily at executive levels in local government, state government and internationally. He is currently the Independent Chair of the Aerotropolis Technical Advisory Panel for the second Sydney airport, a consultant and advisor to key projects in Saudi Arabia. He has been a member of various government committees including the NSW Coastal Council, and City of Sydney Planning Committee. He has extensive expertise in strategic and statutory planning, policy, infrastructure planning, and urban design.

Stephen holds qualifications of a Bachelor of Applied Science (UC), Graduate Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning (UNE). He has held various leadership positions in local government, state government and internationally. Including Executive Director Regions ,Department of Planning and Environment ,and Chief of County Zoning and Planning, Royal Commission for AlUla, Saudi Arabia.

Heather Nesbitt

Further information to be provided.

Steve O’Connor

Steve was appointed as a member of the NSW Natural Resource Advisory Council by the then NSW Minister for the Environment in 2010. He was appointed as a member of the NSW Planning Assessment Commission (which later became the NSW Independent Planning Commission) by the NSW Minister for Planning in 2015, a position he held for 6 years.

Steve is a registered planner and a fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA). He is the immediate past national president of PIA and served as a director of PIA between 2013 and 2020. He has qualifications in planning and environmental science.

Steve is currently the chair of the Parramatta Local Planning Panel and an alternate chair of Ryde Local Planning Panel, as well as an alternate member of all 9 of the Sydney District and Regional Planning Panels.

David Ryan

David Ryan has over 35 years’ planning, legal and management experience, primarily at executive levels in private practice and local government. He is a former NSW President and Vice President of the Planning Institute of Australia and Convener of its Planning Law Group.  He has been a member of various District and Local Planning Panels and Design Review Panels. He has extensive expertise in strategic and statutory planning, policy and process reviews, due diligence and strategic development advice, the preparation and assessment of major development proposals, environmental assessments and Court expert witness services.

David holds a Bachelor of Town Planning (UNSW), Diploma in Law (SAB), Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (UTS) and has been admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of NSW (currently non-practicing). David is a Fellow (Registered Planner) of the Planning Institute of Australia, an Associate Member of the Law Society of NSW and Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Roberta Ryan

Professor Roberta Ryan is an expert in public policy and administration, urban governance, comparative planning systems, development delivery and community engagement. Her leadership positions in academia, and the private and non-government sectors have covered all aspects of the planning system including community and strategic land use planning, development assessment and statutory appeal processes, and major project delivery.  

Roberta is nationally recognised for her expertise in mediating and facilitating shared outcomes that meet both governments’ and stakeholders’ shared objectives in the delivery of land use planning solutions in contested environments. She is widely acknowledged for her thought leadership in engaging and bringing together diverse views in sensitive stakeholder environments.   

With this expertise, Roberta has been a trusted advisor to federal, state and local governments and major public and private enterprises on their development and delivery of strategy, policy, major initiatives and reform. This includes her current ministerial appointments as the Community Commissioner for the Western Sydney Aerotropolis and Orchard Hills.  

She currently serves on the Hunter and Central Coast Planning Panel as the Lake Macquarie City Council representative and is an alternate state member for Sydney and regional planning panels. Roberta has previously been a member of the Sydney Eastern and Sydney Central planning panels.   

Donna Rygate

Donna is an experienced independent chair and director, business leader and consultant.

From 2014 to 2018, Donna was chief executive of Local Government NSW. Donna previously worked in executive, policy, communications, governance and operational roles in the NSW public sector for more than 25 years. She was chief executive of the NSW Office of Communities.

Donna also headed corporate governance and policy in the then NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure, and was the deputy director general of strategy, communication and governance with the then NSW Department of Community Services.

Donna has qualifications in economics, public administration and planning. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors course and currently enrolled in a Juris Doctor program.

She was made a fellow of the Institute of Public Administration in 2012.

Alice Spizzo

Alternate State Member

Sydney and Regional Planning Panels

Alice’s extensive and wide-ranging experience brings a valuable perspective to the planning system. Alice works with government, business and NGOs in a range of projects involving approvals, licences, heritage, infrastructure, biodiversity, affordable housing, aged care, dispute resolution, governance and risk.

Alice’s career spans government and the housing and development industry as a lawyer, policy adviser, senior executive and ministerial adviser, including Chief of Staff. She represented the NSW Government on the Building Code of Australia Board and the Department of Planning on the Honeysuckle Development Corporation Board.

Alice is the Chair of the NSW Women’s Housing Company, a Community Housing Provider of housing and homelessness services for women in NSW. Alice is also a Board member of the Homes Tasmania Authority which has been established by the Tasmanian Government to provide and manage housing in Tasmania.

Alice has a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts, holds a Graduate Diploma in Urban Estate Management and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice. Alice is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Amelia Thorpe

Amelia Thorpe is Associate Professor in the Faculty of Law and Justice at UNSW. Amelia has degrees in Architecture (UWA) and City Policy (Murdoch) as well as Law (Oxford, Harvard, ANU), and professional experience in planning and in public interest environmental law. She is co-editor in chief of Australian Planner, serves on the City of Sydney Local Planning Panel and the City of Swan Design Review Panel, the boards of Shelter NSW, the Association for Law, Property and Society, and the Environmental and Planning Law Journal, and was founding co-chair of the PIA NSW Women in Planning Network, leading the development of Australia’s first national gender equity policy for the planning profession. Amelia teaches and researches across planning, property and environmental law; her publications include Owning the Street: The Everyday Life of Property (MIT Press, 2020) and articles in journals including International Journal of Urban & Regional Research, Planning Theory & Practice and Urban Studies, as well as professional outlets such as Architecture AU, Australian Local Government Yearbook and Australian Design Review. Amelia has three school aged children, and has worked part time throughout her academic career.

Amanda Wetzel

Amanda Wetzel is a planning practitioner based in Newcastle, NSW. She has 18 years’ experience in public and private sector settings in the UK, Middle East, and Australia, specialising in strategic land use planning and policy development.

Amanda is a member of the Planning Institute of Australia and formerly a chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (UK). She holds a Master of Environmental Studies from the University of Newcastle (Australia) and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from Heriot-Watt University (Edinburgh, Scotland). She is also an IAP2 certified practitioner.

Since moving to Australia in 2012, Amanda has held senior management roles in Local Government in Victoria and State Government in NSW before moving into private consulting in 2016. She is currently the Research Programs Director at the University of Newcastle’s Institute for Regional Futures.

Greg Woodhams

Greg has more than 35 years’ experience as a town planner. He has expertise in strategic planning, development assessment, urban design and government administration.

Greg was Executive Director at the Greater Sydney Commission responsible for the City Projects branch. His other previous roles included Director of Planning at Woollahra Council and at Willoughby Council, planning manager at a major property development company and urban planner at a planning consultancy in Sydney.

He is a Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia, former Vice President of the Institute and was convenor of the Institute’s Policy Committee. Greg holds a masters degree in Town and Country Planning, a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours and a Graduate Diploma in Corporate Management. In 2013, Greg received the Service to the Planning Institute Award in recognition of the contribution he made to the Institute. Greg has been a member of many committees providing advice on planning matters to state government and local councils.

Joe Woodward

Joe Woodward has over 35 years’ experience in environmental and planning regulation and management. As Deputy Director General of the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation he managed regulation of air, water, noise, waste, chemicals and radiation, biodiversity, threatened species and Aboriginal cultural heritage protection. Prior to working in the public sector Joe worked in technical and management roles in the private sector. Joe served for six years as Member of the NSW Independent Planning Commission assessing and determining state significant development developments including mining, major industrial and urban developments. He has also provided consultancy advice to NSW Planning and the Australian Dept of Environment. He is currently a Member of the Northern Territory EPA Board. Joe holds a Bachelor of Science, Master of Engineering and Post Graduate Cert in Public Health from University of Wollongong. He was awarded the Public Service Medal for Outstanding Contribution to the Environment in New South Wales.

Michael Wright

Michael Wright has some 27 years’ experience in senior executive roles across the NSW Government.  This has included leading the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Office of Environment and Heritage, NSW Maritime, Mining, Exploration and Geoscience and the Housing and Property Group. Over that time Michael has been extensively involved in the interaction of conservation, sustainable natural resource management, land use and Aboriginal heritage considerations with the planning system.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts (English Literature) from Sydney University, a Bachelor of Commerce (Economics awarded with merit) from the University of NSW and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Greg Britton

Greg has 42 years’ experience in the investigation, design, documentation, planning, environmental assessment, and project management of coastal, estuary and maritime projects.  He is the Technical Director of Royal Haskoning DHV in Australia.  He has provided expert advice on coastal, maritime and environmental engineering to the NSW Land and Environment Court, NSW Supreme Court, Queensland Supreme Court, Federal Court of Australia and several Commissions of Inquiry.  He has fulfilled the role of a Court Appointed Expert in the NSW Land and Environment Court.

Greg received a Bachelor of Civil Engineering (First Class Honours, University Medal) from the University of New South Wales in 1976 and a Master of Engineering Science (Coastal Engineering) from the University of New South Wales in 1981.  He is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia.

Pamela Dean-Jones

Pam is a Senior Principal Consultant and Associate at Umwelt with more than four decades experience in coastal zone management, natural resource management, environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental and land use planning, policy and program review in NSW. She has expertise and extensive experience in coastal and catchment management, including detailed technical studies in geomorphology, wetlands, soils, land capability and Aboriginal heritage, the preparation of coastal management plans and programs for local councils, and preparation of sustainability assessments and climate change adaptation strategies for state and local government authorities.

Pam is a member of the NSW Coastal Council, appointed by the Minister for Local Government to provide independent and strategic advice on the implementation of the Coastal Management Act 2016. She recently led the Coastal Council’s review of social, cultural, economic, governance and knowledge constraints to coordinated management of NSW estuaries.

Pam’s experience also spans environmental regulation, operational management; and community and stakeholder engagement, including in relation to strategic planning issues, environmental and coastal values, cultural heritage, and public land management. She has a sound understanding of potential land use issues, opportunities and conflicts associated with environmental and economic change, including the roles and perspectives of all levels of government and local and regional communities.

Over more than 25 years in consultancy roles, Pam has provided expert advice at project director or manager level for public and private sector clients, such as Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment (now DCCEEW); Defence; NSW Department of Planning and Environment and it forerunner/constituency agencies such as Planning, Fisheries, Primary Industries, Crown Lands, Office of Environment and Heritage and National Parks and Wildlife Service; NSW Natural Resources Commission; Urban Growth NSW; Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation; Hunter Central Rivers Local Land Services; Hunter Water Corporation; ACT Government, multiple local Councils across the Hunter and Central Coast regions; and the resources and urban development sectors.

Douglas Lord

Douglas Lord has 40 years experience as a coastal engineer within State Government and as a private consultant in NSW and around Australia. For 10 years from 2000 to 2010 he was the Manager Coastal in OEH with state-wide responsibility for the coastal, estuary and entrance management programs in NSW. He has represented the NSW Government on the Intergovernmental Coastal Advisory Group and has been a member and Chair of the Engineers Australia, National Committee on Coastal and Ocean Engineering and a member of the Engineers Australia, NSW Coast Ocean and Port Engineering Panel.

Doug holds a Bachelor of Engineering (civil) and a Master of Engineering Science (coastal) from the University of NSW and a Master of Business Administration (technology mgmt.) from La Trobe University. He is a Member of Engineers Australia, on the National Engineers Register (Civil) and is a registered APEC Engineer in Australia. He received a Ruth Readford Award for Lifetime Achievement from the NSW Coastal Conference and is currently Director and Principal of Coastal Environment Pty Ltd.

Angus Gordon

Angus has 50 years coastal engineering/management experience in all states of Australia, Brunei, Dubai, Kuwait, Indonesia and Hong Kong. He has published 70 papers, established the NSW Beach Improvement Program (1976) and the NSW Coastal Protection Act (1979). In 1986 he was appointed Manager of the Manly Hydraulics Laboratory and then a Director of Australian Water and Coastal Studies Pty Ltd.

In 1996 he took on the role of GM (CEO) of his local council at Pittwater until his “retirement” 2005. He was Chair of the NSW Coastal Panel and a member of the expert Panel that developed the 2016 NSW Coastal Management Act to replace the Coastal Protection Act, and was subsequently appointed to the NSW Coastal Council, a position he currently holds. In 2018 he was awarded an OAM for services to the community, planning and the environment.

Bruce Thom

Further information to be provided.