Company Directors Course
Graduate Diploma of Urban & Regional Planning
Graduate Diploma of Environmental Studies (Hons)
Bachelor of Environmental Design

Emma started ERA Planning and Environment in 2010 (then known as Emma Riley & Associates) in order to work across a broad range of strategic and statutory planning projects. She drew on her experience in the Tasmanian planning system gained from working in both the public and private sectors.

As Director, Emma sets the strategic direction for the company and oversees all of ERA’s planning, environmental and stakeholder engagement projects. She is passionate about leading by example, the importance of culture within an organisation and building shared visions between the company, the ERA team and our clients. Emma continues to grow ERA as one of the leading professional services firms in Tasmania’s planning and environmental sectors.

With almost 20 years’ technical experience, Emma continues to practise as a planner. She is a registered planner and a fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia. She manages a wide range of planning projects from large-scale master plans and structure plans through to large-scale development applications. She also regularly appears as an expert witness before the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal and the Tasmanian Planning Commission.

Before establishing her own consultancy, Emma was a project manager for the Southern Tasmania Regional Planning Project: a joint initiative of state and local government and part of the Tasmanian Government’s planning reform agenda. In this role, Emma was involved in the preparation of the Southern Tasmania Regional Land Use Strategy and was also responsible for extensive consultation with project sponsors, stakeholders and the community.

Emma also worked as a consultant planner with GHD Ltd where she provided in-house planning assistance to a number of councils across the Tasmania. She also regularly provided expert evidence before the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal and the then Resource Development and Planning Commission. Emma was also principal planner on a number of strategic projects including the award-winning Huon Valley Land Use & Development Strategy. Before this, Emma was employed as a Development Appraisal Planner at the Hobart City Council.

Emma believes that a well thought out and functioning planning system facilitates development that contributes to our social and economic health now while also protecting our future. Emma is well respected in her profession and has a reputation for integrity, efficiency and thoroughness.

Professional Affiliations

Registered Planner, Planning Institute of Australia (RPIA)

Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia (RPIA Fellow)

Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD)

Representation

National Director, Planning Institute of Australia (PIA)

Member, St Mary’s Cathedral Restoration Commission, Archdiocese of Hobart (current)

Former Chair and member, Tasmanian Planning Reform Taskforce

Past Policy Coordinator, Planning Institute of Australia, Tasmania Division

Past President Planning Institute of Australia, Tasmania Division

Former member of Building & Construction Industry Advisory Council

Former member of Affordable Housing Advisory Committee

Awards

Service to the Institute Award, PIA Tasmania Division (2011)

Young Planner of the Year, PIA Tasmania Division (2007)

Marjorie Propsting Award, for best performing female, University of New England (2003)

PlA, NSW Division Award, for highest overall grades, University of New England (2003)

PIA Consulting Planners Award for Urban & Regional Planning, for the most innovative ideas, University of New England (2003)

Graduate Diploma of Environmental Planning
Bachelor of Social Science (Recreation Management)
Certificate III in Outdoor Recreation

Clare has been with ERA Planning and Environment since 2013 and has worked as a planner since 2004. At ERA, she has been directly involved with the development of strategic land use planning documents involving tourism and recreation, natural area protection and management, regional towns and focus areas of cities. This has included work on the Draft Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area Tourism Master Plan, Boat Harbour Beach Plan, Kelcey Tier Master Plan and the Strahan Waterfront Precinct Plan. She has provided policy advice to government clients, been responsible for the facilitation and management of development applications to Council, and has also provided expert evidence before the Tasmanian Planning Commission and the Resource Management and Planning Appeals Tribunal.

During her time at ERA, Clare has also gained accreditation as a Bushfire Hazard Practitioner, with accreditation under the Fire Service Act 1979 for scopes 1, 2, 3A and 3B work. For bushfire assessments, Clare specialises in the development of performance-based solutions and emergency management plans required by certain developments including those located in sensitive areas, or for developments that involve a hazardous or vulnerable use. She also regularly prepares bush hazard management plans for small and large subdivisions and developments that are capable of meeting the permitted standard.

Clare’s experience working in both the private and public sectors has given her an intimate understanding of the inner workings of both local and state governments and how processes that affect the development sector, such as development approvals, relate to considerations of the effects of development, including for the broader community.

Before joining ERA, Clare was the project officer for the Greater Hobart Mountain Bike Plan 2012, which involved the development and writing of a strategy covering mountain bike trail development and management, and the tourism opportunities for the natural areas of Hobart and surrounds. Clare has also worked as a consultant planner at Johnstone, McGee and Gandy (JMG) and for the City of Hobart as a statutory planner. During her time with JMG, Clare was based in Hobart but worked throughout the state, providing in-house advice to a number of rural councils. She undertook the management and writing of detailed strategic and statutory planning reports, as well as providing expert planning advice considered by the Tasmanian Planning Commission and the Resource Management and Planning Appeals Tribunal.

Her skills include writing detailed planning reports, writing and interpretation of strategic planning documents, assessment of projects against planning documents, natural area protection and management, as well as design and implementation of community consultation processes. Clare’s previous experience in the outdoor industry (including working as a guide in natural areas and the design and coordination of recreation programs) gives her a unique perspective on recreational and open space planning issues.

Professional Affiliations

Planning Institute of Australia (PIA)

Accredited Bushfire Hazard Practitioner (TFS)

Bachelor of Science

Anahita is a knowledgeable and respected environmental scientist who joined ERA in 2018, bringing with her almost eighteen years’ experience in Tasmania’s environmental management field. Anahita has worked in government and private sectors. Her career has focused on environmental impact assessment services in the consultancy market where she has participated in a very wide range of projects, providing services in environmental approvals and also project management, environmental management plans, ecological investigations, options analysis and environmental strategy documents.

Anahita is particularly interested in the diversity of environmental approval projects. She has helped clients to navigate all aspects of approval processes from concept to operation for projects such as wastewater treatment plants, waste facilities, subdivisions, windfarms, aquaculture facilities, mines, power cables, pipelines and roads.

Anahita has an aptitude for the multifaceted nature of environmental impact assessment (EIA). Through her career, she has developed an excellent working knowledge of the broad range of specialist services which contribute to the EIA process. Her work in the assessment and approvals field has helped Anahita develop a thorough understanding of the council, state and Commonwealth legislative processes and develop strong networks within assessing agencies and specialist service providers.

Anahita is well versed in the coordination and delivery of key environmental approval documentation including Notice of Intent (NOI), Development Proposal and Environmental Management Plans (DPEMPs), Environmental Effects Reports (EERs), Commonwealth referrals and Parks and Wildlife Reserve Activity Assessments (RAAs).

Anahita has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Tasmania, majoring in zoology and is a member of the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand Tasmanian committee.

Professional Affiliations

Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ)

Awards

Finalist for the Tasmanian Business Woman of the Year Awards (2007)

GHD Client Service Awards, Tasmanian Winner (2017)

Graduate Diploma Urban and Regional Planning
Bachelor of Arts
Certificate in Engagement

Caroline has been with ERA Planning and Environment since 2015 and has worked as a planner since 2002. At ERA, Caroline provides in-house planning services to a range of councils including acting as Senior Planner working on both statutory and strategic planning. Caroline also represents councils as well as private clients in both the Resource Management and Planning Appeals Tribunal and at the Tasmanian Planning Commission.

Caroline is also ERA’s lead for community and stakeholder engagement. She is registered with the International Association for Public Participation Australasia having completed her Certificate in Engagement. She has recently led engagement projects for the Department of State Growth and the City of Hobart.

Since joining ERA, Caroline has continued to work on development proposals, from single dwellings through to multi-unit developments and tourism developments. Caroline has also worked on strategic planning projects, including the Sorell to Hobart Transport Corridor Land Use Planning Review and the Sorell Open Space Strategy.

Before joining ERA, Caroline worked as a Development Appraisal Planner with the City of Hobart, including as acting Senior Statutory Planner. Caroline also worked as the Senior Planning Advisor to the Tasmanian Planning Reform Taskforce and as Senior Planning Advisor to the Tasmanian Planning Commission. Prior to this Caroline was seconded to work as the Senior Project Planner for the Southern Regional Planning Project, working on the drafting of the Regional Land Use Strategy.

Caroline has developed strong working relationships with government agencies, community groups, local government, industry groups and applicants through her recent planning and engagement work and her years of working in the planning industry.

Professional Affiliations

Planning Institute of Australia (PIA)

International Association for Public Participation (IAPP)

Representation

Past Vice President, Planning Institute of Tasmania, Tasmanian Division

Past National Young Planner Representative, Planning Institute of Tasmania

Awards

Australian Young Planner of the Year (2005)

Tasmanian Young Planner of the Year (2004)

Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning
Bachelor of Science

Mark joined ERA in May 2018. He has more than a decade of experience in the planning and development industry with a focus on transport planning. Since joining ERA, Mark has worked on a range of planning projects, including large-scale subdivision applications, planning scheme amendments and environmental planning assessments. Mark has an aptitude for resolving site complexities associated with environmental and infrastructure constraints to achieve desired development outcomes.

Mark has worked for public, private and non-profit organisations across Australia. He started his career as a transport planner for the Department of Transport and Main Roads in Queensland. He then spent the last five years before joining ERA as a senior planning and engineering officer at the Western Australia Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage. Mark has qualifications in science and has also worked as an environmental scientist facilitating environmental impact assessments.

From 2010 to 2011, Mark had the opportunity to work as a research assistant for the Metropolitan Planning Council in Chicago, Illinois, which gave him an insight into planning on the international stage.

He has contributed to the success of these organisations through great passion and aptitude for land use planning, transport planning, environmental planning and project management. Mark has undertaken a range of assignments, including development assessment, policy reviews, corridor planning studies, research, network planning and environmental assessments, thereby establishing a broad understanding of strategic, statutory and policy planning matters.

Professional Affiliations

Planning Institute of Australia (PIA)

Australian Institute of Traffic Planning and Management (AITPM)

Bachelor of Science

James is a senior environmental scientist who joined ERA in early 2020, offering over 15 years of experience in the Tasmanian, Northern Territory and West Australian environmental science field. He has considerable experience in Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), project-specific risk assessments and mitigation strategies, mine site management plans, waste management projects, revegetation, and mine closure planning and implementation. In addition, James has undertaken ecological assessments throughout Tasmania for over 15 years. Through this work, he has developed a solid understanding of Tasmania’s ecology and the implications of legislative requirements for development proposals.

James has a passion for supporting clients through the approvals process for projects as varied as greenfield mine sites, residential subdivisions, water and wastewater treatment operations, windfarms, aquaculture, pipelines, roads and powerlines.

James’ experience also includes regulatory reporting obligations such as NPI (National Pollutant Inventory), annual environmental monitoring reviews, waste discharge licence reporting, triennial EMP reviews, mine closure planning reviews, Reserve Activity Statements (RAA) and Commonwealth referrals.

James has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Tasmania majoring in Botany and Geography and Environmental Studies. Before becoming an environmental scientist, James was working in the mechanical trades with Certificate III qualifications.

Professional Achievements

Peer reviewed scientific paper (pending publication) – Validation of impacted mine water treatment processes

GHD Client Service Award 2020 Northern Territory – DCARM NT Stage 1 and Stage 2 Investigations with Department of Defence – Directorate of Contamination Assessment and Remediation Management

Bachelor of Town Planning (Hons)

Frances joined ERA in September 2019. She has eight years of experience in the planning and development industry with a particular focus on statutory planning in both the Tasmanian and New South Wales systems. While with ERA, Frances has worked on a range of residential, tourism and commercial developments for private clients, providing in-house planning assistance to local councils as well as assisting in the development of the Sorell Open Space Strategy and engagement projects.

Frances worked as a development assessment officer for local government in NSW for four years where she worked on both small and large-scale applications including state significant development, multi-dwelling housing, residential subdivisions and the application of urban design and amenity principles for medium and high-density residential development.

Upon moving to Tasmania, Frances joined a local planning and engineering consultancy where she was engaged in a variety of projects including preparing development approval documentation for small to large-scale residential and commercial developments. Frances was also involved in strategic planning projects, community consultation and the drafting of planning scheme amendments.

Frances has a Bachelor of Town Planning from the University of New South Wales, graduating with Honours, and has completed the Planning for Bushfire Prone Areas course at the University of Technology, Sydney. Frances is currently a provisional Bushfire Hazard Practitioner.

Professional Affiliations

Planning Institute of Australia (PIA)

Bachelor of Science (Geography and Environment Studies)
Master of Urban Planning

Monica joined ERA in January 2020 with over five years’ experience working in the planning and development industry. She has an extensive understanding of both the Tasmanian and Victorian planning systems, working predominantly within statutory planning. Monica worked at two large consulting firms within the private sector in Melbourne before relocating back to Hobart to join ERA.

Monica has experience working on a range of developments, including large and medium-scale residential, commercial, retail and mixed-use developments. Monica’s experience includes facilitating a broad range of land use and development applications, managing projects that involve multidisciplinary teams, and engaging with stakeholders and communities to achieve good planning outcomes.

Monica has a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Geography and Environmental Studies, from the University of Tasmania and a Master of Urban Planning from the University of Melbourne.

Professional Affiliations

Planning Institute of Australia (PIA)

Fiona joined ERA in 2016 and has become an integral part of the team, assisting Emma with the day-to-day management of the business, including bookkeeping and invoicing.

Fiona’s role is to ensure the effective and efficient operation of the business while providing a high level of professional service to our clients.

Fiona previously worked for the AMP Group in client service and investment roles. Fiona’s customer service, communication and administration skills are complemented by her accounting and technical experience.

Fiona is enjoying discovering the planning and environment sectors and keeping the team organised.

Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (Hons)
Master of International Urban and Environmental Management

Claire joined ERA in September 2017. She brings experience working in a range of government roles as well as in the private sector as a landscape architect.

Claire specialised in urban planning and completed a Master of International Urban and Environmental Management in 2014. Most recently, she worked as an urban planner in the Strategic Planning Division of the ACT Government Environment and Planning Directorate where she worked on social planning issues, including early analysis to support a draft variation to incorporate active living principles in the Territory Plan.

Before this, she worked in policy and program management roles in the Australian Government across a range of areas relating to environment, climate change and international development. Her public sector experience has given her skills preparing a range of written documents as well as in policy analysis, managing large-scale projects, undertaking stakeholder engagement and working with multidisciplinary teams.

Claire’s strong interest in urban issues and city design led her to refocus her career on urban planning, building on her early interests and experience working as a landscape architect. She also brings design and graphic skills to her role with ERA.

Awards

Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (ACT Group) prize for outstanding performance in the landscape architecture course (Joint Recipient) (2001)

Bachelor of Business Administration (Tourism Management)
Graduate Diploma of Environmental Planning

Georgina joined ERA in November 2018. She has over a decade of experience in the planning and development industry and has worked for both public and private organisations in Tasmania and Queensland.

Georgina worked as a development appraisal officer with Glenorchy City Council for 10 years, where she worked on both small and large-scale projects including MONA (the Museum of Old and New Art) and the Prince of Wales Bay Marina.

Before this Georgina worked in the tourism industry in both Tasmania and South America.

Georgina has a Bachelor of Business Administration, majoring in Tourism Management, from the University of Tasmania as well as a Graduate Diploma of Environmental Planning. She was awarded a place on the Dean’s Role of Excellence for her bachelor’s degree.

Awards

Dean’s Role of Excellence, Bachelor of Business Administration