The team.

I lead Element’s vision of being the go-to planning, environmental and social sustainability consultancy for both government and private sector within the markets that we operate and to be the employer of choice. And to achieve this without compromising our core values – Wellbeing and Integrity.

I provide honest, technically accurate, commercially appropriate, timely advice to our valuable clients to reduce their risk so they can sleep well at night … and look good in front of their boss 😉

NSW REAP certification: After going through a rigorous nine month application process I have been certified as a NSW REAP (Registered Environmental Assessment Practitioner), which is the highest level of certification that can be obtained under the Certified Environmental Practitioner scheme. This allows me to provide advice, interrogate the robustness of the impact assessment approach and process and if adequate sign off on the environmental impact statement for State significant development and infrastructure projects prior to their submission to the Department of Planning and Environment.

Leading Element: I am in the fortunate position to lead such an incredible group of professionals in our mission to give our clients the best possible experience they can find - where ‘excellence in everything we do’ is our slogan and where our culture of collaboration, finding solutions, accountability, never giving up and wellbeing is what we all live and breathe every day.

Downer Sustainable Road Resource Centre: One of those State significant development projects where you, your team, your client and the regulators are running at 100 miles an hour to deliver a worlds first sustainable road resource manufacturing facility where the ethos of circular economy is truly put into practice using latest technology and sustainability principles. An incredible project to have had the privilege to lead where we pushed the boundaries in impact assessment and were bold enough to test approaches, methods and technologies not previously used, resulting in what a number of regulators claimed to be the ‘gold standard’ in the industry.

Marulan South Limestone Mine: Probably the most complex, technically challenging, major State significant project I have ever lead in my 20 years of managing environmental impact assessments and development applications. To apply for the continued operation of one of the oldest and largest limestone mines in the southern hemisphere, perched on the edge of two major creeks, a river, a national park and within a drinking water catchment, required the involvement of more than 15 technical discipline leads and an incredibly experienced team. Achieving a balance between competing environmental, social and economic interests through applying sound impact assessment principles and a thorough engagement and social impact process resulted in development consent for the continuation of the mine for another 30 years – a mine that is critical to the State as it produces the limestone to make more than 60% of the cement used in NSW.

I love working with people (our team and our clients) and supporting them in every way I can to reach their professional and personal dreams while maintaining balance – their wellbeing.

I love finding solutions to development problems that will result in thriving communities where peoples live’s truly benefit from good planning and protecting and enhancing environmental values.

In my spare time, I love anything outdoors and in nature. I grew up living near the beach and my passions are surfing, kayaking, mountain biking and camping, with my family.

I provide advice to construction contractors on how to minimise their impact to the environment and comply with environmental legislation.

Most recently, I'm proud to be involved in construction of the Sydney Metro Crows Nest Station. Sydney Metro is Australia's biggest public transport project. When completed, Sydney Metro will significantly increase the capacity of the Sydney rail network. I also helped deliver the station and signalling works for the Mariyung Fleet, ensuring all the regional stations meet the improved safety and accessibility requirements for when the new regional fleet of trains start operating. I am also proud to have been involved in various aspects of the Inland Rail program. Inland Rail will significantly improve the Australian freight and supply chain capabilities on the east coast by reducing journey times between major cities.

I enjoy the challenge of helping contractors deliver complex projects while minimising their impact on the environment and community they work in.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and volunteering for the local rugby club.

I am a highly experienced Town Planner and Project Manager. I am a recognised leader in the property development industry and have held a number of senior executive roles at the Department of Planning and Environment.

I have worked in local and State government and private practice and have applied experience working in a full range of strategic and statutory planning roles. I have been instrumental in developing significant planning reforms for the NSW Government and as a result received a Premier’s Award for the development of the Simplified House Code.

I am proud of the hugely diverse statutory and strategic planning projects I've been involved in during my longstanding career, spanning more than 30 years.

I have a great love of planning policy and greatly enjoyed my time as an Executive for the Department of Planning and Environment, where I lead a number of groundbreaking planning reforms for the NSW Government, in particular to support more affordable housing and social housing across NSW.

A real highlight of my career to date, was my appointment in 2021 as an Acting Commissioner in the NSW Land and Environment Court.

I love creating great communities and working with multiple stakeholders to plan great spaces for communities to live, work and play.

I also love a challenge and presenting innovative ideas to solve complex planning problems for my private and government clients.

Outside of work, I just love the outdoors, exploring pristine bushland areas, travelling to faraway places, picnicking with family and friends and walking around Sydney Harbour.

My role is to scour the globe for talented people to join our team, support their onboarding so they have a great experience with us, look after our most precious resources, our people, by providing opportunities for them to bring their whole selves to work – where they are happy, healthy, feel included and have a sense of belonging.

I am most proud of seeing team members I’ve had the pleasure of working with achieve great things, in work and in life, and watching their careers go from strength to strength.

This includes growing the skillsets of apprentices, trainees, and graduates, who would never have had the opportunities to attain qualifications or career development.  I also enjoy coaching leaders to be empowering, who want to learn to make a difference in their own lives and those they have an impact on. Working with inspirational businesses and leaders, who share my values, and being able to contribute to a culture where we create a great place to work where people can be themselves.

I find purpose in helping people grow their capability and realise their full potential, so they can be the best versions of themselves. I love those light bulb moments when people do something they never thought possible.

Most of my spare time I am mum’s taxi, sports mum, boating mum and ‘piggy bank’... to my two teenage boys. I also make time for me by investing energy in my career, staying active through sports and relaxing through Yoga/Pilates, reading and watching movies – I think I have finished Netflix twice! I love to connect with, family, ‘framily’ and friends. 

My role is to inform people about projects to help them understand their needs and impacts associated to their work.

Working on the Coffs Harbour bypass project for example has been particularly exciting, challenging and fulfilling. As the final piece of the Pacific Highway upgrade, it’s important infrastructure that will bring many benefits to the region I live in.

The upgrade of the Pacific Highway was an extremely rewarding program to be involved in. Providing communications support on such a large-scale project provided unique challenges but was ultimately one which improved the lives of a significant number of people.

The new Grafton Bridge project, while small in comparison to other projects I’ve worked on, not only helped transform Grafton but provided significant benefits to many people.  

I like keeping people informed and up-to-date and enjoy it when the community provides solutions to project challenges. Sometimes the engineers don’t have all the answers and it can be easy to forget that the people who live in the communities we build projects in will often know what the best solution is, even if it’s technically not the correct one.

When I’m not at work I’m either ferrying my kids to sporting commitments, volunteering at my local rugby club or responding to a call-out as an on-call Fire Fighter for Fire & Rescue NSW.

My role involves developing effective communication strategies and engaging with communities to promote social sustainability. I help organisations connect and collaborate with the community and other key stakeholders to ensure positive outcomes for the project and stronger relationships.

As a newcomer to Element, my first project has been to support the upgrade of a liquid waste treatment facility in South Windsor, which has been a rewarding experience. Engaging with the community has helped find effective solutions and improve outcomes for those affected. It has also provided valuable growth and learning opportunities and enhanced my understanding of stakeholder management, communication, and local context, and I am looking forward to continue the journey of working in community engagement and social impact.

In my previous role, I achieved several milestones that I take pride in, particularly my work in developing clear and concise communication strategies during key crisis events such as COVID-19 related closures, complex stock delays, and the transition to an in-house supplier. By implementing the first company-wide employee surveys, I delivered various organisational change projects using data-backed insights to provide recommendations that significantly improved employee reported satisfaction (50% increase), eNPS (44 point increase), and engagement (30% increase). Despite tight time constraints and budgetary considerations, I also successfully organised sales conferences and team building events, aligning them with company objectives.

I am driven by a passion to create a meaningful and lasting impact in our world, either through championing environmental sustainability or building meaningful and lasting connections between individuals and their communities. I do it for the people! So they may have a platform to have their voice heard and offer solutions from their unique experience and perspective.

Outside work, I love the outdoors and me-versus-me sports like rock-climbing, mountain biking, and paddling where I can push my personal limits and work to be better than I was yesterday.

I am currently solely working for a globally diversified mining and metals company. In my role as a community and landholder liaison, I help manage the land access arrangement program and develop consultation strategies to ensure their exploration program can successfully continue for future mining plans.

In my previous related role, I worked on a State significant greenfields mining project, from the pre-feasibility through to the approval process stage. As a communications professional, I was exposed to dealing with the NSW planning system, land access arrangement process and more. As part of the project team, I was involved with developing and managing the social reference group, assisted with the water advisory group and regular consultation with the local registered Aboriginal parties.

I was proud to work with a diverse range of stakeholders, using their input when developing the social impact, water impact, and Aboriginal and European heritage impact assessments, to name a few.

The project overall was quite contentious which made it challenging however the proposal was exciting and the benefits in the community were far-reaching.

Furthermore, another significant part of my role on that project was managing the community investment and sponsorship programs. I was proud to work with our team and external apprenticeship and traineeship providers, to award dozens of fully funded apprenticeships and traineeships in the local community. These were determined and awarded by an independent Board of Directors, who carefully considered each eligible individual to ensure the investment benefited locals who could give back to the community once qualified.

I enjoy making a difference in the communities I work with, and the storytelling side of being a communications professional, which also applies to my photography work too.

Everyone has a story to tell, organisations included. It is one of the most effective ways to connect with your audience and stakeholders.

I am also a professional photographer, capturing interiors, lifestyle content and have just started shooting weddings.

I have a beautiful brood of boys and a very supportive and hardworking husband. We enjoy spending time at the beach on weekends, and I enjoy going to the gym and swimming laps for some ‘me’ time.

I work across statutory and strategic planning projects, with particular focus on preparation and assessment of local development applications, state significant development applications, review of environmental factors, and due diligence assessments for property/land to identify redevelopment potential.

During my time as a statutory planner for the NSW Land and Housing Corporation, I contributed to the delivery of over 350 social housing dwellings in NSW to assist with housing the most vulnerable in our community. The dwellings varied in typologies such as seniors housing, townhouses/villas, residential flat buildings, boarding houses and group homes.

One notable program I was involved in was the Boarding House Pilot Program that was established in response to the NSW Government’s Homelessness Priority. The Pilot Program sought land in well located areas to be developed for the purposes of new generation boarding houses to provide suitable, permanent housing for women over the age of 55 who are at risk of homelessness.

I am driven by the tangible outcomes that derive from statutory and strategic planning. Additionally, with population growth, climate change and land constraints becoming increasingly prevalent, I am excited that planners are part of the solution of creating more innovative and sustainable ways of living in urban and regional areas.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time at the beach with family and friends, especially with a cheese board at sunset. Mid-week you will find me either playing mixed social netball, AFL, or just at the local pub for trivia and a chicken parmi 😊

I work across both strategic and statutory planning projects. My skills in GIS and urban design also mean I support the team with their GIS and mapping requirements, which brings a lot of variety to my day.

I have been lucky enough to have worked across a range of projects across a variety of different scales from metropolitan cities to a single lots within a city block. I am very thankful for the diversity of work that I have been able to be a part of to date. Joining the small – but growing – team at Element allows me to continue working on a wide range of projects, for which I'm very grateful.

My skills and interests in urban planning, urban design, GIS and data analysis means I love seeing the intersection of these areas come to life through the evidence-based narratives that support city growth, design, and development. Some of my favourite projects that I have worked on in my career to date include using GIS data and analytics to inform investment decision making, the Western Sydney Place-based Infrastructure Compact and being part of the Dubai 2040 team.

Outside of work, I consider myself a foodie (but I am not a food snob!). You’ll find me either travelling overseas (on a food driven holiday), cooking something new, delicious, and convenient in the kitchen, or searching for interesting foods in Sydney that is affordable enough to be enjoyed more regularly!

I supervise and manage the delivery of a broad range of projects, on time and to a high standard. Key projects/activities include: provision of high quality and detailed planning advice on complex development and land use situations, preparation of development applications for local and state significant projects and working with Councils to help manage and assess their DA workload, preparation of strategic plans and studies, client management, winning work and creating business opportunities, mentoring and supporting members of our planning team.

I was previously a team leader in the Codes team at DPE, delivering a variety of complying development Codes including the Inland Code, Greenfield Housing Code and Low-Rise Housing Diversity (medium density) Code.

I was a successful independent planning consultant for 4 years.

More recently, I joined Element where I have been working closely with DPE to support the delivery of the Riverwood Estate SSP. I also support the Executive Director to grow Element’s planning team.

I especially enjoy finding solutions to complex planning problems!

Outside of work, I love spending time with my awesome kids and partner. Enjoying the amazing outdoors of the northern Illawarra, surfing, running, bushwalking and then just relaxing in the sun.

I work across the Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management and Compliance team. I spend my days working with clients to support them in achieving their goals and get developments off the ground and running, from project inception and approval pathways all the way through to post-approval environmental management.

I have been fortunate to work on some amazing projects, some of these include assisting TfNSW in the development, management and delivery of a vast contaminated land management project across a portfolio of over 900 regional rail sites. The project spanned the entire state, including a range of highly complex and intricate sites. I was responsible for the development of land management strategies from environmental assessments through to remediation and long-term environmental management.

I managed a thorough multi-staged environmental assessment on a large $8m project spanning over 35 km of road upgrades including a complex contaminated land investigation, to deliver safer roads for regional road users. Once operational I continued to support the project through post-approval environmental performance monitoring to ensure regulatory compliance.

I love taking opportunities to learn, be challenged and create positive and meaningful impacts on the world around me. I assist clients across a broad range of industries to improve the environmental performance and outcomes of projects, including State significant infrastructure & development, which certainly scratches that itch.

Outside of work you will generally find me within a few kilometres of a beach, on a rock face or enjoying our beautiful National Parks, keeping me inspired to do what I do.

In its simplest form, my role involves communicating with people and identifying their opinions. It’s my responsibility to capture these opinions in social assessments, develop responses which are socially responsible and adequate to obtain planning approvals for Element’s clients, and foster a positive reputation for our clients’ projects.

I’ve been a happy Element employee for more than 5 years. I was the first social and engagement employee to join the company. That came with many challenges such as developing new business services, distinguishing my work from the work of our environmental team, and building a new client base. I overcame those challenges with the help of some brilliant colleagues, and I’m pleased with those professional accomplishments.

Unfortunately human society requires an individual to work rather than drink cocktails on the beach (or some other preferred pastime!!!). So I figure we may aswell do something that is interesting and rewarding. I get to talk to people in my role, and in some cases I can respond to their needs via a social assessment or re-designed project. In this scenario there is a socially valuable outcome and that’s what motivates me to get up. Oh, that and three energetic boys of mine that are under 8 years of age.

I try to be active when I get some oxygen and down time. Pretty rare amongst the family commitments but given the chance, you can find me at the beach with the family, surfing, doing some circuit training and generally being outdoors.

I support our diverse base of clients with community engagement services.

Though I consider myself a padawan-among-jedis with my team here at Element, I'm very proud of my international project engagement and stakeholder management experience that saw my work impact across 5 countries in SE Asia. Developing the soft skill of cultural awareness and working across timezones, differing languages, traditions and a range of socio-economic representation allowed me the scope to sharpen my empathy, efficiency and ability to meet people where they are at and achieve tangible outcomes.

I see my professional accomplishments through the values that are developing in my two children. The rigour I express and execute with at work in a professional setting is what I come home to tell them stories about each day. Seeing that translate into their expanding understanding of the world around them provides me with the greatest sense of accomplishment I could ever ask for.

I take a more anthropological approach in life - in widening the breadth of what it means to create legacy. I seek to always learn. If I'm always learning, it means I have more to pass on to subsequent generations - whether through my children or my work impact. I'm in the business of tangible legacy.

I love volunteering and have done so since I was 15 years old. My family and I enjoy all-things outdoors. I love marinating in a good book. Oh, and there is no greater sensation than to sing at the top of one's lungs while not in earshot of anyone else - something I try and do as often as possible.

My day to day predominantly comprises preparing environmental impact assessments under the NSW Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979, including environmental impact statements, statement of environmental effects, review of environmental factors and modification reports.

I also have a strong background in construction environmental management, which sees me preparing construction environmental management plans, along with environmental inspection, auditing and compliance.

I have been fortunate throughout my career to have worked on a diverse range of developments spanning a wide range of industry sectors. Everything from private development assessment for a tyre recycling facility, through to major State significant developments including waste management facilities, extractive industry, mining and industrial applications, as well as public infrastructure such as utility, road and rail infrastructure.

I gain the most satisfaction from working on projects which I believe will benefit society, including road and rail upgrades and resource recovery initiatives.

I also enjoy mentoring junior professionals and thrive in a team environment having successfully assisted many clients in tender support and secondment roles for major infrastructure projects.

My passion in environmental consulting includes the ability to steer the design of development to achieve positive environmental outcomes. I believe if I can influence the design of a development to include the environment at the forefront I have done my job.

In my spare time I love spending time with my wife and two beautiful kids, and when I can I enjoy a bit of Stand Up Paddle-boarding on stunning Lake Macquarie.

My role is to provide expert advice and lead each phase of the environmental approvals and management process for major resources, energy, infrastructure and industrial projects. I lead teams to identify and tackle environmental, social and cultural opportunities and constraints during the scoping, assessment and post-approval phases of the project lifecycle, working collaboratively with clients and specialists and consulting stake holders along the way to ensure projects remain on budget and schedule and achieve client’s objectives.

The following projects are examples of some of my project experience.

Downer Sustainable Road Resource Centre – State significant development, Downer EDI Works Pty Ltd

This is a ‘circular economy’ facility which processes street sweeper, non-destructive digging, reclaimed asphalt, glass, toner, tyre and ash waste for use in asphalt making. The key benefit of this facility is that it uses waste that would have otherwise been landfilled, and at full capacity could divert 300,000 tonnes of waste from landfill per year. The approvals process was complex as the site was part of a newly subdivided industrial estate with a legacy of hydrocarbon contamination, had two proponents (being Downer and Viva Energy as proponent for the subdivision) and had extremely tight timeframes as the State government was resuming Downer’s existing site for the Parramatta Light Rail.

Sydney Water Sewer and Stormwater Rehabilitation Program (Sewerfix), Insituform Pacific Pty Ltd and Abergeldie Watertech

This project involved locating sewer and stormwater reticulation assets that were near or at failure resulting in pollution of land and waterways. The assets were repaired using inflatable/curable resin linings and sometimes constructing new infrastructure. Given the locations and age of Sydney’s water infrastructure, many sites were in environmentally and culturally sensitive areas requiring complex access and environmental management measures.

I am motivated by the love for the Australian environment and believe it is a privilege to work in an area I'm passionate about. I relish the opportunity to do what I can to help projects move forward in a sustainable manner, which not only helps our economy grow but reduces our impact on earth.

Outside of work, I am privileged to live in the Blue Mountains of NSW, where I can indulge in my favourite activities of hiking, kayaking and contributing to the community through my volunteer work as vice president and training officer at Katoomba-Leura RFS brigade.

My day as a Planner is never the same – that’s what I love about it! I get to work on a variety of strategic and statutory projects ranging from master planning, centre and precinct strategies, planning proposals, site specific development applications and due diligence planning advice.

 Below are two of my “most proud of” projects:

Riverwood Estate State Significant Precinct

I worked on the initial Riverwood Estate master plan and planning framework which involved rezoning of a 30ha site and 994 social housing dwellings, owned by the NSW Land and Housing Corporation. I am proud of this one as it required working within a large multidisciplinary team of architects, urban designers and technical specialists and focused on achieving quality planning and design outcomes including improved connections, new open space, a high-quality public domain and a built from strategy that could facilitate the renewal of existing social housing into an integrated community with a mix of social, affordable and private housing.

Mosman High School State Significant Development Application

Secured planning approval in 9 months from start to finish for a major upgrade to Mosman High School and required preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement and Response to Submissions. The application involved a range of complex issues attributed to the sites heritage context and setting along Military Road. It was great to work on a project that will in turn increase the capacity for students as well as allow for new and improved learning spaces for the students including a new performing arts space, theatre, library, rooftop games court and outdoor learning spaces.

My passion is to improve and create quality planning outcomes for people and the places we live in!

Outside of work, I love being a mum! I have two small boys, Alex and Max, so a lot of my time at the moment is spent at playing with Duplo, at the park, playgroup, swimming lessons and in the kitchen of course! A side passion of mine is dance and musical theatre and have taught dance (jazz, tap, ballet) to children through to adults for the past 15 years!

My role is to program manage and lead a team that prepares city-shaping strategies and place-based plans, including land use strategies, structure plans and master plans.  

At Penrith City Council I program managed and led a team of strategic planners, urban strategists and urban designers and was responsible for the delivery of a work program for the following projects:

• Places of Penrith Strategic Planning Framework, including Local Housing Strategy, Green Grid Strategy, Rural Lands Strategy and Tree Canopy Target Study
• St Marys 2041 a planning pathway for the Town Centre, including the St Marys Town Centre Structure Plan and St Marys Town Centre Master Plan

At Canterbury Bankstown Council, I led a team of urban designers and 3D visualisers and was responsible for the delivery of the following projects:

• Draft Campsie Town Centre Master Plan
• Draft Bankstown City Centre Master Plan
• Temporary place-activation and place-making initiatives
• Council interface for the delivery of the Sydney Metro Southwest Line

My other achievements include, NSW Local Government Award 2022 for Places of Penrith, National Urban Design Award 2022 for Campsie Town Centre Master Plan, NSW Landscape Award 2022 (jointly with Oculus) for the Campsie Town Centre Tree Canopy Master Plan.

I’m passionate about creating great places for people and nature to thrive and facilitate economic prosperity. To keep improving and being a great leader for the people and projects I am responsible for. To help Element grow and win fantastic projects.

In my spare time I like to rock climbing, Pilates, yoga, hiking, a bit of mountain biking (anything to do with being in nature!), spending time with my family and friends, travelling, landscaping, interior decoration.