Planners North

About the Firm

Planners North is a dedicated town planning consultancy established in 1986 as the first specialist planning practice on the NSW Northern Rivers. The firm operates as a partnership between Kate Singleton RPIA and Steve Connelly RPIA, who holds Life Fellow status. Located in Byron Bay, the practice provides planning advice to government, business and private clients across northern New South Wales.

Planning Services and Expertise

The practice delivers town planning services under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and related NSW legislation. Core services include impact assessment across ecological, economic and social dimensions, development application preparation, and strategic site planning. The firm prepares development control plans, local environmental plans, and regional strategy documents for council and government clients.

• Development applications and strategic planning assessments
• Environmental impact studies and sustainability reporting
• Urban design coordination and masterplanning projects
• Due diligence investigations for property development potential
• Public policy development from local to regional scales

Tribunal Experience and Expert Testimony

The team holds extensive experience in planning law matters before the NSW Land and Environment Court and other tribunals. Steve Connelly and Kate Singleton have provided expert testimony in over 70 cases involving planning disputes and development assessment appeals. This tribunal expertise supports clients through complex planning approval processes and contested development matters.

• Expert witness services for Land and Environment Court proceedings
• Planning law advice and tribunal representation
• Independent planning assessments for legal matters

Recognition and Service Areas

Planners North serves clients throughout the Northern Rivers region and broader NSW coastal areas. The practice has received multiple Planning Institute of Australia awards including the 2018 Plan to Place Award for Planning Excellence and several residential development awards through UDIA NSW. The firm maintains registrations with the Royal Planning Institute of Australia and carries four decades of combined local government and private practice experience.

• Byron Bay, Ballina and Coffs Harbour council areas
• Northern Rivers region and Mid North Coast locations
• Regional NSW planning matters and state significant developments