Dr Marcus Spiller is a founding partner at SGS and a Life Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia. He is a leading voice in urban planning with a passion for social justice and ensuring equitable access to opportunities. With a distinguished career spanning roles as a consultant, academic, and government adviser, Marcus is an expert in regional economic development, housing policy, and metropolitan governance. He serves on key national and state housing advisory panels and holds an honorary Associate Professorship at the University of Melbourne. Marcus is also a regular speaker and a strong advocate for metropolitan reform and governance.
Kirstie Allen has had a long career involved in the development evidence-based strategy, policy, programs and delivery across multiple portfolios and jurisdictions. Kirstie is a Non-Executive Director and completing a PhD at the School of Architecture, Design and Planning at the University of Sydney where she is studying a climate-first approach to population policy and its links to housing and infrastructure. Prior to this Kirstie has been a Deputy Secretary at the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment and Infrastructure NSW and held senior executive roles at NSW Treasury, Health Infrastructure, Department of Planning, and Natural Resources, Sydney Water and the Department of Trade and Investment. Kirstie also had leadership roles in consulting which and has been involved in developing COAG planning reforms and long-term city and infrastructure plans.
Rob Stokes is an urbanist and industry professor for ESG at Macquarie University. Currently serving on the Australian Government Urban Policy Forum and as Chair of the Connect Macquarie Park Innovation District, Rob was the first ever Minister for Public Spaces, and Australia’s first ever minister for Active Transport. Rob also served as Minister for Planning, Cities, Infrastructure, Transport, Education, Environment and Heritage, in a parliamentary career over 16 years. Rob is a regular columnist on cities and planning and has written extensively in industry and academic books and journals. A qualified lawyer, Rob has read geography at Oxford and has completed a PhD in planning law at Macquarie University, as well as holding an honorary doctorate from UTS. Rob also serves as Chair of Faith Housing Australia and as a director with the Hillview Foundation Australia.
Ben Taylor is a transport and urban planner with over a decade of experience in transport modelling, planning, and policy. He has worked on major city-shaping projects across Australia and is passionate about creating cities where people can move freely. Ben's expertise spans urban policy, governance, public transport, and infrastructure appraisal.
