Town Planning
Engaging with a variety of clients ranging from International conglomerates through to providing advice for small business and domestic parties on planning issues.
Many people have never needed a town planner – and may never need one again. But if a planner is necessary, you need skill, integrity, in-depth knowledge and tenacity.
Ross Heatley
A qualified urban planner with additional qualifications in economics, Ross has over thirty years urban development experience with:
- large scale master planning in Australia, the Middle East and Asia;
- Infrastructure approvals in the energy sector, Queensland;
- statutory planning approvals for a variety of land-uses;
- development consulting / strategy planning for major clients; and
- appearance as expert witness in planning court appeals
Education:
Bachelor, Regional & Town Planning [1978, U of Qld];
Bachelor, Arts (Economics) [1995, U of Qld];
Graduate Certificate, Arts (Economics) [2013, U of Qld]
Career Summary
Ross commenced his career as a cadet planner with the Queensland government, then worked with the NSW government dealing with statutory and strategic issues in western Sydney.
He then moved to private sector consulting – occasionally with public sector clients. He has directed multidisciplined teams in environmental impact assessment, urban design and master planning.
Ross spent seven years with surveyors and planners, Bennett & Bennett, on the Gold Coast mostly in development application assignments for large scale urban developments. He also appeared in court as expert witness. A major client took him on as group town planner where he engaged in masterplanning a brownfield site.
Recently he spent three years with GHD Global working in the Middle East and Asia. Here he managed the master planning of large scale projects in Abu Dhabi, Philippines and Sharjah. He also coordinated bid proposals for major projects.
On return from the Middle East, Ross acted as Manager Urban Planning for SMEC in Queensland for two years. Here he consulted on major infrastructure projects, environmental impact studies and project bids including presentation in Karachi, Pakistan and team placement in Kuwait. He subsequently undertook consultant work with Smec Malaysia.
Current:
Ross is currently self-employed consulting on small and large scale urban development, mostly in Queensland.
Testimonials
I couldn’t recommend anyone else to be better that Ross Heatly as a town planner. I have had a few dealings with town planners and what they couldn’t do Ross did with ease. He was 100% committed to getting my DA approved and was always available for if I had any questions (which I always did). Ross was always professional and calm. He got the exact results and approval I needed. Definitely the best town planner around.
Ross Heatley has been instrumental in many development projects for my company Gunter Investments over the last two years . All of these projects have required many various permits and approvals to be obtained from different government departments . Ross has solved many problems with these departments with all his paperwork being very succinct / successful and on time . I highly recommend him in his role as master planer and consultant
I used Ross Heatley recently for a Duplex Development Project on the Gold Coast Highway in Mermaid Beach and found him to be an experienced Town Planner with a strong appreciation of aesthetic design, capable of preparing a high quality Development Application. He comes with a wealth of knowledgein both the development assessment and facilitation of Residential Development Projects
Ross Heatley was engaged as a Town Planner for my family property company on 2 x projects. I found Ross’s service delivery to be very professional, efficient and effective. He was very punctual in all meetings, kept us informed of all matters he was responsible in overseeing, worked in a friendly, professional and coordinated manner with various consultants in our projects. He was able to successfully obtain the outcomes that we set to achieve. I would have no hesitation in recommending Ross to any prospective client.
I engaged Ross’s services, on the recommendation of an associate, after receiving a ‘Show Cause Notice’ from the Gold Coast City Council. Having no experience in dealing with Council red tape, I am sincerely thankful to Ross for solving my complex issue. He not only explained the problem in language that I understood, but moved quickly, professionally and cost effectively to rectify my situation and achieve the best possible outcome. Thank you from a very happy and satisfied client
I worked with Ross on my latest development and couldn’t have been happier with his service and the results he helped achieve. Ross is efficient and competent at his work and regularly helped solve important planning issues that positively effected the project. He always met his deadlines and ensured the DA was achieved ahead of schedule. I would confidently recommend Ross to anyone looking for a Town Planner.
The ambition to renovate and "Future Proof" my Home against anything adverse was a dream. It could have become a serious nightmare were it not for your intuitive advice and recommendations. That, in combination with the smooth passage of the necessary documentation through the Council maze, relieved me of burdens I was completely ignorant of. Thank you for allowing me to return to my former blissful state, safe in the knowledge my home is "worry free."
I would highly recommend Ross Heatley. I was very happy with the way he was able to talk to people, getting things through council and moving quickly. He managed to subdivide my block which was a first in this area. He is a man of integrity, always reliable and quick to respond to my questions.