Matt Brown – Director
Matt Brown is a highly experienced and qualified town planner. Matt is the Director of Perception Planning Pty Ltd.
Matt founded Perception Planning back in 2007 with a vision it would one day lead to big things.
Matt’s passion lies in the behavioural and cultural dimensions of town planning – at the end of the day it is still a human interaction, despite the best made policy or plan. Matt has led projects previously that have won various industry awards including the Planning Institute of Australia, NSW Premiers and Local Government Awards. Matt is a renowned key note speaker at planning seminars and events and enjoys any chance to talk about planning culture.
Matt previously worked for four different Local Councils over 15 years, the last two in a senior management capacity, whilst operating his private town planning consultancy via approved secondary employment. This gave Matt a deep ingrained appreciation of the real customer experience and a what Matt felt was a strong sense of injustice occurring in many instances. Matt took the plunge from part Council worker and part consultant to 100% consultant and Perception Planning (PP) has gone from strength to strength during this time.
A recent highlight for the PP team was being awarded the Dungog and District Chamber of Commerce 2018 Award for Best Professional Services.
Outside of work Matt enjoys camping, fishing and four wheel driving with the family and with four young children there is never a dull moment.
Natasha Brown – Business Manager
Tash has been involved with Perception Planning since inception back in 2007 and has been an integral part of the firms development.
Tash has a very diverse skill set, with tertiary qualifications in both education and accounting/book keeping. This experience is fundamental in the day to day business management of a busy and multidisciplinary organisation.
Tash is responsible much of the financial management, system and process development work that ensures we can produce quality work and service our customers to the highest of levels. She has experience in leading teams and projects across a range of disciplines.
When not working Tash enjoys cooking, reading, travelling and spending time with her four young children.
Jeff Bretag – Principal Planner
Jeff started at Perception Planning in April 2018.
Prior to this, Jeff was the Strategic Planning Coordinator at Port Stephens Council. In this role he was responsible for the coordination of strategic plans, planning proposals, development contributions, social planning and planning certificates. During this period, a number of projects were shortlisted and/or received industry accolades, such as the Raymond Terrace & Heatherbrae Strategy receiving a ‘Newi Award’ for Community Engagement and the Port Stephens Development Control Plan 2014 being shortlisted for a Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) ‘Excellence Award’.
Jeff has over ten years experience as a town planner in Local Government, State Government and as a private consultant. Jeff has a Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management from the University of Newcastle, Masters of Planning from the University of New South Wales and has recently completed a Graduate Diploma in Bushfire Protection from Western Sydney University. In 2019, Jeffrey is seeking to obtain Bushfire Planning and Design (BPAD) Accreditation and become a PIA Registered Planner.
Jeff is a strong advocate for pragmatic planning outcomes, which is largely driven by the strong need to place downward pressure on housing affordability. Jeff tries to keep fit by running, and keeps busy renovating, reading, cleaning up after two dogs and spending time with his beautiful wife, Sarah. If you have a planning question, please contact Jeff on 04 1155 1433 or via email at jeff@perceptionplanning.com.au
Erin Daniel – Senior Planner
Erin started working at Perception Planning in April 2019.
Prior to this, Erin worked as a Development Planner and Strategic Planner within Local Government since graduating with a Bachelor of Development Studies at the University of Newcastle. During these roles, she was responsible for the assessment and determination of development applications (DA’s), policy formulation and review and provision of planning advice. Some exciting DA’s that Erin determined during this time include medium to high density residential development, commercial and industrial premises and large lot subdivisions. Through this, Erin developed well-rounded and skilful expertise in the Town Planning field, and brings to the team detailed and working knowledge of the town planning system.
Erin is a dedicated planner with a passion for sustainable development and community and stakeholder consultation. Erin encompasses strong communication and interpersonal skills, and is passionate about obtaining the desired outcome for the client.
Outside of work, Erin loves to travel (particularly in the campervan), spending time with her partner Zac, family and friends and (trying) to run the energy out of her and Zac’s young kelpie Finn.
Peta Harris – Senior Environmental Planner
Peta started her role as Senior Environmental Planner with Perception Planning in March 2019, returning to work with a little one at home.
Since graduating with a Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management, Peta has worked in local government and private consultancy in varied roles across the fields of strategic planning, environmental science and environmental auditing.
With a commitment to the people behind the projects, Peta will commit to working through all the details of your development to achieve the best result. Peta lives in Tenambit with her partner, son and two spoilt dogs. She loves beach days with her family.
Roxy White – Senior Town Planner
Roxy, Senior Town Planner, joined the team at Perception Planning in 2020 where she commenced her balancing act journey of career/motherhood life balance with a little one at home.
Prior to joining us, Roxy was employed at Maitland City Council and was involved in development assessment and town planning during a period of significant LGA growth and development. Her role included the assessment and determination of a variety of projects from medium scale and commercial projects to new greenfield or infill estate developments aiming to provide affordable housing and land options for the Lower Hunter Region.
Roxy has achieved a Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management at the University of Newcastle and since graduating has been employed as an environmental scientist/planner since 2007. Her roles have allowed her to gained experience in local and state development projects, environmental compliance and management combined with exemplary project management skills with both private and government perspectives.
Roxy is a great communicator and passionate about achieving great planning outcomes that are feasible and sustainable. Roxy loves a challenging project and always endeavours to deliver quality customer service and development outcomes.
Born in the iconic location of Port Stephens, outside of work Roxy spends her time with her young one Maya and her loving husband Perry, spending time in the sun, surfing, camping and dreaming of travelling the world.
Mark Bretag – Bushfire Planner
Mark started at Perception Planning in September 2019 on a casual basis, working from home.
Mark has a varied background, with tertiary qualifications in financial planning, accounting and training and assessment, so is very familiar with dealing with legislative frameworks. He has worked in management with large corporate organisations including Mount Isa Mines and Coal and Allied and also run his own business. The key skills he brings to the organisation is his willingness to help people in a proactive way and his fine attention to detail. These attributes are essential in achieving a positive outcome in bushfire assessment for the clients.
He is married to Cheryl, with four grown up children and moved to Raymond Terrace two years ago after spending most of his life at Lake Macquarie. In his spare time he runs a kayaking club at Throsby Creek and loves doing marathon paddling to stay fit and raise money for charity.