Experience

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  Planning Institute of Australia

  • Queensland, Australia

  • State Manager Qld & NT

    • Mar 2023 - Present
    • Queensland, Australia

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  Queensland Government

  • Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

  • Member of Queensland Urban Design and Places Panel

    • Jun 2023 - Present
    • Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

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  Hustle & Bustle Podcast

  • Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

  • Host of Hustle & Bustle Podcast

    • Jul 2021 - Jul 2023
    • Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

    The Hustle and Bustle podcast is hosted by Nicole Bennetts. Based in Gold Coast, Australia - a host city of the 2032 Olympic Games. This podcast is a series of conversations with city thinkers and shapers. The episodes are light hearted, conversational and inspiring. Tune in every week for a new episode!

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  UDIA Queensland

  • Committee Member

    • Sep 2021 - Mar 2023

    Committee member at UDIA Queensland Housing supply and affordability

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  Arup

  • Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

  • Senior Planner & Qld Cities Lead

    • Jul 2021 - Mar 2023
    • Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

    Interim Qld Cities Local Business Leader, within Cities leadership group for Arup Australiasia. Cities is a growing business area for Arup. Arup is transforming cities globally by:1. City resilience: ensuring cities thrive in the face of environmental and social shocks.2. Climate-ready cities: turning climate change adaptation into opportunities for enhancing city life.3. City life: designing places and spaces that produce a great quality of life.4. City growth: stimulating economic growth by investing in city infrastructure and services.5. City regeneration: reinvigorating spaces to become places where people want to live, work and play.6. Host cities: using major sporting and cultural events to improve city life.7. City operations: funding, managing and delivering programmes to help cities function and grow.8. Digital cities: improving public engagement and local governance through digital technology.I am an experienced urban and regional planner within the Qld planning, design and economics team. I am based in Gold Coast & Brisbane offices, and working on a diversity of strategic planning and infrastructure projects across Queensland and beyond.

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  Planning Institute of Australia

  • Australia
  • Non-profit Organizations
  • 100 - 200 Employee

  • Fellows Committee Member

    • Oct 2021 - Jan 2023

  • Policy & Advocacy Committee member

    • Sep 2021 - Jan 2023

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  Gold Coast Multiple Birth Association

  • Committee member

    • Mar 2021 - Oct 2022

    Gold Coast Multiple Birth Association represents, supports and celebrates twin, triplet and higher order multiple families.

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  City of Gold Coast

  • Australia
  • Government Administration
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • Supervising Planner

    • May 2021 - Jul 2021

    Within the City Plan team, supporting the public consultation phase of City Plan amendments.

  • Coordinator Neighbourhood Planning

    • Jan 2019 - May 2021

    Initiating neighbourhood planning on GC. Including strategic planning, City Plan amendments, Light rail land use planning, state government liaison. Supporting Council make strategic planning decisions for our city's best future.

  • Senior Planning Advisor to Director of Planning & Environment

    • Jan 2017 - Jan 2019

    Senior Planning Advisor reporting to the Director Planning and Environment. Assisting with statutory and strategic planning matters within City of Gold Coast.

  • Supervising Planner City Plan

    • Oct 2015 - Jan 2017

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  Planning Institute of Australia

  • Australia
  • Non-profit Organizations
  • 100 - 200 Employee

  • Committee Member Women in Planning network

    • Mar 2018 - Feb 2019

  • Founding Chair of QLD Women in Planning Network

    • Oct 2017 - Mar 2018

    Commenced the Women in Planning Chapter of PIA QLD.

  • Vice President of Queensland

    • Oct 2015 - Nov 2017

  • Gold Coast Branch Convener

    • Feb 2013 - Oct 2017

    The Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) is the peak professional body for the planning profession. PIA is responsible for education, advocacy and ongoing professional development at a national level & assists thousands of planning professionals in their role to create better communities. As the Gold Coast convener, my roles involves;1. Engaging with local planners about planning issues and opportunities. 2. Represent PIA at a local level in consultation and strategic plan making.3. Host regular professional development events on the Gold Coast.4. Represent Gold Coast planners on the Queensland Division Committee. 5. Connect with the community about planning issues6. Connect with other peak industry bodies on the Gold Coast to forge working relationships Should you be interested in the Planning Institute, particularly on the Gold Coast, please feel free to contact me anytime.

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  YP Gold Coast

  • Gold Coast

  • Member of Executive Committee

    • Jul 2015 - Feb 2019
    • Gold Coast

    YP Gold Coast strives to be the Gold Coast’s leading advocacy group, connecting driven professionals and promoting the city’s dynamic evolution. It is focused on facilitating prosperous career development and to push for job opportunities in our city. It is committed to helping the Gold Coast evolve to compete with other Australian and international cities. YP Gold Coast aims to enhance the reputation through the activation of a corporate forum to educate and inspire the next generation of decision makers, as well as advocate and support projects and plans that will see the Gold Coast become more livable, sustainable and financially balanced.https://ypgc.com.au/

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  RDA Gold Coast

  • Gold Coast, QLD

  • Committee Member

    • Mar 2015 - Sep 2018
    • Gold Coast, QLD

    The Regional Development Australia (RDA) network is a partnership between Australian, state, territory and local governments to grow and strengthen the nation’s regions, and ensure their long-term sustainability.The Australian Government has established 55 community-based RDA Committees around Australia, including one at the Gold Coast, each made up of committed local leaders with a strong grass roots understanding of their regions. RDA Committees work with their communities to identify challenges, opportunities and priorities for action. They are local people developing local solutions to local issues.http://rdagoldcoast.org.au/http://futuregoldcoast.com.au/

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  Community Benefit Developments Pty Ltd

  • Gold Coast, QLD

  • Director

    • Jan 2015 - Apr 2016
    • Gold Coast, QLD

    About us:An architect and planner collaborating in pursuit of superior development outcomes for the community’s benefit. Mission statement:CBD P/L was formed by award-winning professional property development consultants in pursuit of achieving exemplar project outcomes by using a unique, collaborative outcome-driven model. CBD Pty Ltd seeks to deliver all that embodies the 'urban village' which is authentic, considered, outcome focused and community driven, by undertaking development in the most (in order of priority) socially valuable, environmentally responsible, and economically successful manner with a ‘pay it forward’ benefit for the community. CBD Pty Ltd will take decisions based on the highest level of professional standard to make certain development outcomes are leading best practice for all involved. Our project/s:ENVI Southportwww.envivillage.com.au

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  Gold Coast Show

  • Brisbane, Australia

  • Management Committee Member

    • Dec 2013 - Feb 2016
    • Brisbane, Australia

    www.goldcoastshow.com.auThe Gold Coast Show belongs to all of us that live in this beautiful city.Our show is the biggest family event in our city and the only event with it’s own public holiday!The 2014 Show is at our new home, Gold Coast Turf Club, & is set to be the best Gold Coast show yet! Save the date - Fri 29th August, Sat 30th & Sun 31st.www.goldcoastshow.com.auWay too much fun!

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  Taylor Willis Town Planners

  • Gold Coast, QLD

  • Founding Director

    • Jul 2013 - Sep 2015
    • Gold Coast, QLD

    www.taylorwillis.com.au Taylor Willis Pty Ltd trading as Taylor Willis Town Planners is an independent and innovative property development consultancy firm based on the Gold Coast.Taylor Willis Town Planners was formed by Robert Taylor & Nicole Willis. After years of working together in various positions, they decided to create a planning firm that fostered innovative solutions & creative thinking with a focus on providing a cost-effective service. Their common philosophy "manage each project as if it is their own" make them a formidable duo especially in the property development game. Providing a personal touch & making decisions in the client's best interest, based on years of professional experience in the private sector. Their positive attitude and clear focus on improvement & betterment has every client completely satisfied.www.taylorwillis.com.au

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  Gold Coast Junior Chamber of Commerce

  • Gold Coast

  • Committee Member

    • Aug 2013 - Mar 2015
    • Gold Coast

    The Gold Coast Junior Chamber of Commerce was once a successful and respected business chamber of the Gold Coast. After a long hiatus, the new committee has re-started it by creating a forum through which young business people and aspiring entrepreneurs of the Gold Coast will develop their personal skills, create lifelong business networks, and forge a strong future for the Gold Coast's business community. We host regular social events to create the networking opportunities in an informal environment & also we host business events with unique guest speakers to engage, inspire and educate you for your career ahead.

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  Idea Bombing Gold Coast

  • Gold Coast

  • Co Founder

    • Aug 2014 - Aug 2014
    • Gold Coast

    The Idea Bombing concept is part meetup, part popup bar, talk series and community brainstorm, it's a new way for Gold Coasters to engage, surface creative ideas and promote ways of turning those ideas into reality. Passionate about our creative culture. Committed to helping awesome things happen. All updates via facebook. www.facebook.com/ideabombingGC

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  R&B Planning Services

  • Gold Coast, Queensland

  • Senior Town Planner

    • Nov 2008 - Jun 2013
    • Gold Coast, Queensland

    R&B Planning Services is a private consultancy firm specialising in representing private sector clients in property matters. The primary services offered are project management & town planning resulting in the successful management of the Development Approval process, resolving local law matters, and skillful negotiation with government representatives. The projects undertaken are on behalf of a wide range of clientele, including from mum-and dad investors to corporate clients and property consortiums. Past projects have included, large Multi-residential buildings, Commercial shops & restaurants, Subdivisions, Child Care Centres, Place of Worship, Office complexes, Duplexes, Home business, etc

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  QUT

  • Brisbane, Australia

  • Town Planning Student

    • 2006 - 2010
    • Brisbane, Australia

    I successfully completed a 4 year degree in Urban Development at QUT in Brisbane City. Majoring in Urban and Regional Planning with a minor in Property Economics (Valuation). During my time at QUT I was awarded the Conlon Family Prize for Policy and a Highly Commended for a 4th year design project. I completed an exchange in Turkey for a Policy subject and was fortunate enough to attend lectures at universities in Istanbul and Canakkale. In addition, I undertook a Community subject in the Western Down regional area working with stakeholders to achieve balanced outcomes. I acheived honours accross my 4 years and was awarded the Deans Award for Excellence for holding a grade point avaerage above 6.5 out of a possible 7.

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  Bennett and Bennett

  • Gold Coast, Australia

  • Cadet Town Planner

    • Jan 2008 - Jul 2008
    • Gold Coast, Australia

    Whilst undertaking my town planning degree, I was fortunate enough to gain experience in a highly regarded surveying/town planning firm assisting the planning department in the everyday planning tasks. This initial experience led me into a paid role at R&B Planning Services.