Leisa has been involved in the planning and development industry for in excess of 25 years. She has has accumulated significant experience in preparing development approval strategies, project  management and coordination, and Planning and Environment Court matters for major projects across retail, commercial and extractive industry sectors.

Leisa holds the qualifications of Bachelor of Applied Science (Surveying) and Graduate Diploma of Urban and Regional Planning. 

Leisa was elected to the QELA Management Committee in 2010.

• President     2016 - Present
• Vice President     2014 - 2016
• Chair, Seminar Sub-Committee     2015 - 2016
• Member Seminar Sub-Committee     2007 - Present
• Member Conference Sub-Committee     2010 - Present
• Member Regional Intensive Sub-Committee     2016 - Present

Ben has specialised almost exclusively in planning and environment law since 1996.  Admitted as a Solicitor in 1993, he was an Associate with a National law firm at the time of his admission as a Barrister in 2001.

In addition to his law degree, Ben has a Masters degree in town planning.

Ben was elected to the QELA Management Committee in 2009.

• Vice President     2014 - Present
• Chair, Regional Intensive Sub-Committee     2015 - Present
• Member Finance Sub-Committee     2014 - Present

Brent Lillywhite, Partner, Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Brent is a Partner in the Environment & Planning Team at Corrs Chambers Westgarth.  He provides strategic legal advice to developers, local governments and State government authorities on all aspects of planning and environment law. A keen litigator, Brent’s passion lies in Planning and Environment Court appeals and declaratory proceedings.

Brent was elected to the QELA Management Committee in 2014.

• Vice President     2016 - Present
• Chair, Conference Sub-Committee     2013 - Present
• Chair, Seminar Sub-Committee     2014 - 2015
• Member Conference Sub-Committee     2010 - Present
• Member Regional Intensive Sub-Committee     2007 - Present
• Member Seminar Sub-Committee     2013 - 2015

Hannah Riggs,  Senior Associate, MinterEllison
Hannah is a Senior Associate in the Planning and Environment team at Minter Ellison, specialising in planning and environment litigation, compulsory acquisition of land and legal compliance.

Hannah was elected to the QELA Management Committee in 2015.

• Treasurer     2016 - Present
• Chair, Seminar Sub-Committee     2016 - Present
• Member Conference Sub-Committee     2012, 2016 - Present
• Member Seminar Sub-Committee     2013 - 2015
• Member Legislative Sub-Committee     2014

Sarah Hausler,  Senior Associate, McCullough Robertson
Sarah is a Senior Associate in the Planning and Environment Group at McCullough Robertson. Sarah acts for developers, local governments, state government agencies and government owned  corporations in relation to planning and environment litigation, strategic advice about project  approvals, planning and environment due diligence, infrastructure agreements and contaminated land.

Sarah has degrees in law, environmental science and urban and regional planning.

Sarah was elected to the QELA Management Committee in 2012.

• Association Secretary     2014 - Present
• Chair, Legislative Sub-Committee     2014 - Present
• Member Seminar Sub-Committee     2006 - Present

James Ireland,  Partner, HopgoodGanim Lawyers
James specialises in the areas of planning and development approvals, planning litigation and dispute resolution, infrastructure, land valuation and the compulsory acquisition of land. He advises clients on the planning and development issues associated with development projects, including providing advice at an early stage as to the appropriateness of a site, and at the development application stage to ensure that an application is structures so as to provide the best prospects of success.

James was elected to the QELA Management Committee in 2009.

• Immediate Past President     2016 - Present
• President     2014 - 2016
• Vice President     2012 - 2014
• Association Secretary     2010 - 2012
• Member Conference Sub-Committee     2014 - Present
• Member Regional Intensive-Sub- Committee     2015 - Present
• Member Finance Sub-Committee     2012 - Present

Amy is the Principal Town Planner with Reel Planning. Amy’s primary role at Reel Planning is to coordinate and assist in the company’s expert witness services for both public sector and private sector clients in all aspects of proceedings in the Planning and Environment Court, Land Court, Supreme Court and Federal Courts. She also manages various development applications across Queensland. 

Amy was elected to the Management Committee in 2017.

• Member Conference Sub-Committee   2016 - present.

Rachel is Senior Associate at McCullough Robertson Lawyers. She is a specialist planning and development lawyer focusing on planning and environment litigation, advisory work and compliance.  Rachel acts for private and commercial clients, including property developers, submitters and local and state government departments in all facets of planning and environment law.

Rachel was elected to the Management Committee in 2017.

• Chair Seminar Sub-Committee   2018-Present
• Member Seminar Sub-Committee  2016-2017
• Member Conference Sub-Committee  2015

Jaclyn is a Senior Associate at McInnes Wilson Lawyers and is a leader in the firm’s Planning and Environment team.   Jaclyn acts for both government and private industry clients. Her expertise includes conducting litigation and giving advice about development applications, prosecution and enforcement of environment and planning offenses, infrastructure agreements, compulsory acquisition, judicial review and related local government law. 
 

Jaclyn was elected to the Management Committee in 2017.

• Member Conference Sub-Committee  2016 - 2017
• Member Seminar Sub-Committee  2015 - 2016
• Member Legislative Review Sub-Committee 2014-2015

Kelly Reaston is a qualified commercial and planning and environment lawyer with local and international experience. Currently the General Manager of Planning & Environment at Cairns Regional Council her portfolio includes strategic planning and development, sustainability, building and engineering services, major events, property management, regulatory services, public health and cemeteries. 

Born and raised in Cairns, Kelly is an advocate for regional representation in environmental and planning policy and regulation. 

Kelly was elected to the Management Committee in 2017.

• Chair Membership Sub-Committee  2018-Present

Tim Stork,   Legal Counsel, Energy Queensland
Tim is Ergon Energy’s specialist advisor on planning, environment and property matters. Before moving to Ergon Energy, Tim spent 10 years in leading planning and environment practices in national and international firms. Tim has provided advice to and litigated for local and state governments, government entities and major institutional developers about all traditional planning, environment and property matters as well as electricity-industry specific legal issues, compulsory acquisition and resources law.

Tim was elected to the QELA Management Committee in 2014.

• Chair, Legislative Sub-Committee     2014 - Present
• Member Conference Sub-Committee     2012 - Present
• Member Regional Intensive Sub-Committee     2006 - Present