Chairs and alternates

Graham Brown (Chair)

Graham has extensive experience working in planning, including 21 years’ experience as Commissioner and Acting Senior Commissioner of the Land and Environment Court of NSW. He is a current State Member of Western Regional Planning Panel and Permanent Council Member of Sydney North Regional Planning Panel. Graham is currently Chair of Burwood Local Planning Panel, and a current expert member of Northern Beaches, City of Ryde, Cumberland, Woollahra, Waverley and Lane Cove Local Planning Panels.

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Independent expert members

Helen Lochhead

Helen has over 30 years’ experience working in planning, architecture, urban design and development. She is a Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Built Environment at UNSW, and formerly the Executive Director of Place Development for Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority; Deputy Government Architect; and Executive Director, Sustainability at Sydney Olympic Park Central.  She has appointments to Sydney Planning Committee, NSW Heritage Council, Sutherland IHAP and the NSW Planning and Assessment Commission.

Kevin Hoffmann

Keven has over 50 years’ experience working in planning, architecture, urban design and heritage. Hi is a qualified Architect and Town Planner and is the current Chair of Ku-ring-gai, Inner West & Blue Mountains Local Planning Panels. He is a current expert member of Lane Cove Local Planning Panel and is an alternate community representative for Sydney Central Planning Panel representing Canada Bay Council. He was Commissioner of the Land and Environment Court (1994 to 2009) and was a member of IHAPs for various other Councils prior to the establishment of the local planning panel.

Brendan Randles

Brendan has over 30 years’ experience working in architecture and urban design. He is a qualified Architect and Urban Designer and is a current expert member for Wollongong and Bayside Councils’ Local Planning Panels. He is a chair/member of design review panel for Sutherland Shire, Georges River, Parramatta and Wollongong Councils, and is also a current lecture/tutor at UNSW.

Helena Miller

Helena has over 20 years’ experience working in planning. She is a qualified Town Planner, and Director at MG Planning. Helena is currently an expert member of City of Sydney, Waverley, Blacktown, Campbelltown and Wollongong Local Planning Panels.

David Ryan

David has over 40 years’ experience in planning and law in private practice and Local Government. He is a qualified Town Planner and Lawyer. David is the Executive Director at Gyde Consulting (formally City Plan Strategy and Development), and is currently a State Member of Sydney Central Planning Panel, and Chair of Hawkesbury Local Planning Panel. Alternate Chair of Penrith Local Planning Panel.

Community representatives

Kerri Hamer

Kerri has lived in central ward since 1983 and is an active member of the community. She has been a member of the local precinct committee since 1994 (holding positions of secretary, treasurer and chairperson). She has been involved in many local campaigns supporting the community’s need for open space, sustainable and appropriate development, local heritage, community building and engagement.

She has a background in education, counselling and holds a Masters in Applied Science (Social Ecology). Her book “Leading a Group” is a text used widely in University and TAFE Courses. Kerri values transparency, honesty, respect for all stake holders and community inclusion in decision making.

Mio Margarit Chow

Mio moved to Randwick (north ward) with her son and husband in 2011. Her teenage son currently attends a local high school. Prior to moving to Randwick, she had studied, worked and lived in the US, Austria, Germany and Hong Kong, where she had built a successful career in arts administration, her last position being the Director of Artistic Planning of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.

Well settled now with her family in Randwick, Mio is committed to contributing to the local community. Care of the environment and sustainable development are, among others, important concerns for her as a community member. She is familiar with the development application process, having carried out two extensive renovations and rebuilding of her residential homes in the past seven years.

Peter Ryan

Peter is committed to representing the needs of Randwick city residents. He resides in the south ward and has been an active resident in the Randwick local government area for over 20 years. He has a Bachelor of Applied Science, and is currently undertaking a Master of Environmental Management at UNSW Sydney. He is committed to sustainable environmental management, and in 2015 he was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to conservation and the environment of Malabar Headland. Peter has extensive experience in preparation and review of environmental impact assessments through his previous project work at Roads and Maritime Services and Sydney Water.

Michelle Finegan

Michelle resides in the west ward and is an active participant in Randwick City Council life. She is a member of multiple supporting clubs, community groups and school associations.  Michelle is a solicitor, currently working for the Thyne Reid Foundation.  Previously Michelle was a secondary school teacher.

Michelle has a deep understanding of the issues facing our local government area and is committed to supporting the Randwick community. She has a strong desire to see our community thrive.