2022 Symposium

Amelia has over 10 years’ experience in local government, working in growth area Councils and 14 years’ experience in the early childhood sector. She has a Bachelor of Business (Management) and a Masters in Regional and Community Development. Amelia oversees the Maternal and Child Health, Immunisation, Early Years and Access and Engagement portfolios.

Peter has over 15 years’ experience working in the community sector in Australia and the UK. He has extensive experience delivering targeted community programs to the most vulnerable, as well as developing and activating community-based infrastructure such as skate parks, youth centres and community centres.

Adam manages the GIS Team at Penrith City Council. Adam is responsible for working in partnership with the other Western Parkland City councils to deliver a shared Open Data portal, as part of the Smart Western Sydney Digital Action Plan. He has worked with GIS, Information Technology, Surveying and Civil Engineering for 30 years in Local and State Government and the private sector.

Laura has more than 8 years of experience in corporate innovation and has designed and delivered the smart city and innovation program in Casey. Laura is also the National President of the Australian Smart Communities Association, Australia’s only not-for profit peak body dedicated to advocating on behalf of governments for the advancement of smart communities.

Steven Rowley is a professor of property in the School of Accounting, Economics and Finance. He has been director of the Australian Housing Urban Research Institute’s (AHURI) Curtin research centre since 2011 and is a member (and past chair) of the WA Housing Industry Forecasting Group (HIFG). Since joining Curtin from the University of Sheffield in 2007, Steven has secured around $3m in research income from organisations such as AHURI, the Australian Research Council and industry. His primary research focus is housing affordability and housing supply.

Peter is the Executive Officer of WeRide Australia and also General Manager of the peak body for the Australian bicycle industry. He has extensive experience in sports management and community engagement in the private, government, and not-for- profit sectors. This includes management positions with the YMCA in Australia, fitness facilities in America, and in indigenous sport and community education.

Joanne brings an in-depth knowledge on best practice social policy and planning for growth areas. On behalf of Whittlesea Council, Joanne led the development of the Growth Areas Social Planning Tool (GASPT) in consultation with Victorian councils, peak bodies like VCOSS, and State and Federal Government departments

Sarah has worked in Economic Development at Whittlesea Council for more than 15 years before commencing the role of Manager in April 2021. Sarah holds a Master of Business Administration and a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and International Trade. Passionate for the community she grew up in, Sarah is excited by the development that has occurred and the future opportunities for residents.

Chris has worked as a planner for over 23 years and is qualified in planning and law. Blacktown City Council is the largest populated Council in NSW and of NGAA member councils. Chris’s role is to manage growth and development within Blacktown City, including new urban development in greenfield areas and planning across urban renewal precincts. He is a member of the NGAA Committee of Management, the UDIA Planning Committee and the Property Council of Australia Western Sydney Chapter, and was seconded to the Greater Sydney Commission to provide expert planning advice for the District Plans for Sydney.

Yoge is a passionate leader in the design of places for people and has extensive experience in urban design, architecture and project management. She is a design champion, with a mission to create design excellence within local communities, a gender equity advocate prioritising the safety and wellbeing of women and girls in the ways we plan and deliver city infrastructure.

Iman is a civil engineer with experience on projects in residential housing estates all around Australia. He is experienced in the urban development and growth sectors. Iman understands the challenges and opportunities of urban development and strives to address those including the potential to effectively leverage technology and data.

Jonathan and his team are responsible for connecting new developments to nbn's national digital backbone. Before nbn, Jonathan held roles with global telecommunications companies across Asia, Europe and North America where he facilitated deals with customers from local SMB's to mid-market and large global enterprises. He has an honorary degree in Sales Management and is studying an MBA specialising in Cyberlaw. 

Jacqueline Newsome leads a team of specialist community development workers who develop and deliver targeted programs and initiatives which support Liverpool’s diverse and vibrant community. Jacqueline has worked in the community services sector for 15 years in not-for-profit, state, and local government organisations including case management, program coordination, community engagement, advocacy, and policy and strategy development.

Andrea completed her PhD in public health at The University of Western Australia on built and social environmental correlates of physical activity in retirement village residents. She has worked across Australia in postdoctoral, research management and research and evaluation roles in universities and not-for-profit organisations.