Rural land use planning

Kristen is an experienced researcher and industry development specialist. She successfully combines project management skills and technical expertise to deliver projects in agriculture and water related industries. She enjoys working with landholders and large organizations to inform and clarify decision-making. Areas of expertise include strategic planning, stakeholder consultation and program evaluation.

Shelley has strongly developed strategic planning skills and an ability to develop and apply logical methodologies to complex problems resulting in workable, robust strategies and policy solutions. With over 25 years’ experience she has an in-depth understanding of rural communities, industries, environments and natural resources, their inter-relationships and inter-dependencies. Her skills and experience have been applied to rural and regional strategic land use planning, agricultural industry analysis, assessment of land capability and suitability, land use conflict and environmental planning.

Duncan is a Chartered Engineer with 25 years’ experience in environmental, irrigation, agricultural, drinking water, domestic wastewater, sewerage, trade waste, recycled water and catchment management engineering in the public and private sectors.

He specialises in water related infrastructure planning and investigations and uses skills and tools such as GIS mapping, spatial data analysis and network analysis to develop practical solutions to complex problems and uses the ‘power’ of spatial data analysis to convey information effectively.

He can communicate technical concepts in non-technical forums and has experience consulting and working with farmers and landholders, government departments and wider community on route planning for pipelines and shared trails including rail trails. He has recently prepared successful EPA works approval applications for major food processing companies and expert witness statements in agricultural settings.

Duncan is currently involved in Australian Water and Wastewater’s mentor program and reviews articles for their Water Journal. He previously helped run the Institute of Engineers’ EngQuest regional program for students.

Hilary believes in transforming waste to regenerate our environment and nourish our communities. Through considered management and appropriate treatment, wastewater and organic by-products can be used to enhance resource recovery, improve soil health and develop local circular economies. As a process engineer with expertise in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment, Hilary’s experience includes strategic planning, concept design, regulatory approvals, contaminant investigations and environmental risk. In 2023 Hilary received a Churchill Fellowship, travelling throughout Europe to investigate biosolids regulation and use. With a background in wastewater operations, Hilary has a strong emphasis on developing strategies and management plans that are practical and site-specific.

Jake is a driven Master of Agriculture Science graduate passionate about the interaction between agriculture, the environment and communities across the world. He is eager to utilise his agricultural, scientific, social and natural resource management knowledge to contribute to a more sustainable future.

Jake developed a strong passion for agriculture during his studies, particularly the environmental aspects of food production. He has a comprehensive understanding of the importance of improving efficiency of food production to improve overall sustainability

Trent has an extensive background in environmental planning and natural resource management, with particular expertise in waterway management and planning. This includes 21 years of public sector experience working for catchment management authorities and the state government.

Trent’s work focuses on strategic environmental policy, planning and evaluation, and supporting project teams with the delivery of long-term catchment health outcomes. He is also experienced in community and stakeholder management, and has a strong understanding of the importance of genuine engagement to ensure project buy-in and support. He has worked with, and led, integrated project teams, stakeholder and community project committees, forums and working groups, and technical expert groups.

Anna has 30 years’ experience across Government and in private industry, working on a diverse mix of natural resource planning, infrastructure, agriculture, emergency management and regional development challenges.

She is an analyst who works across complex and uncertain issues, engaging closely with responsible authorities, knowledge-holders and communities to develop adaptive responses to contemporary and future challenges.

Jamie is a consultant in our community and strategy work area. He has been actively involved in the research and management of archaeological and Aboriginal cultural heritage projects throughout Australia and Europe since 2015. He specialises in the management of complex cultural heritage projects and has extensive experience of cultural heritage management in the resources, urban development, and infrastructure sectors across Victoria; and the development of mining infrastructure and Indigenous community consultation in remote areas of Cape York, Queensland. 

During his time working in Australian archaeology, he has developed strong working relationships with a number of Registered Aboriginal Parties, Traditional Owner groups, government agencies, and both private and public corporations throughout Victoria and Queensland. During this time he has gained a unique insight into the ways in which major corporations, small businesses and indigenous communities can work together to ensure mutually beneficial outcomes.

Jamie is experienced in project management, community outreach and Traditional Owner engagement, and has successfully project managed a number of Cultural Heritage Management Plans, and specialist heritage assessments throughout Australia. 

Naomi has a solid foundation in agronomy and farm management and experience in agricultural research and extension.

She has a great passion for working with business and people and a desire to understand them. She wants to make a positive impact on Australian agriculture by working with the world’s best farmers, and delivering innovations in resource and business management.

Donna is an agricultural consultant with experience in business management, research and extension. She is adaptable with an ability to contribute to projects at a strategic level.
Donna has specialist knowledge in workforce development and planning, resource recovery, carbon farming, greenhouse gas/carbon accounting and project evaluation. Her strengths include driving execution, building connections and problem solving.

Kelly specialises in GIS and spatial data analysis and has a background in environmental science and social science. She has worked in a wide range of fields including land use planning, environment, natural resource and water management, agriculture and regional development.

Kelly has worked on projects ranging from analysing workforce gaps of culturally and linguistically diverse communities in agriculture to conducting a risk assessment to analyse the potential impacts of wastewater spills to the environment. She has strong research and analysis skills and is experienced in map preparation and visualising data in an appealing way that is clear and easy to understand.