Company Profile
Urban Planning Services was established in September 2005 by the three Directors, Michael Nash, Jason McGrath and Michael Falk. The company is managed by their General Manager, David Heyworth. The company specialises in providing town planning, project management and project strategy services to the development industry. The firm has vast experience in all forms of development and can offer advice in relation to development matters ranging from high rise to broad hectare subdivision.
Vision
Our vision is to be regarded as an industry leader in the delivery of town planning advice and services to sponsors of complex and high value projects.
Mission
Our mission is to provide
- innovative,
- strategic and
- commercially-minded
town planning advice and services, which deliver the highest value outcomes for clients.
Our Values
- Commitment to Client Outcomes
- Continuous Improvement
- Innovation
- Technical Excellence
- Trustworthiness
Our Team of Experts
Jason McGrath - Director & Town Planner
Jason McGrath is a qualified town planner with over 12 years experience in the development industry. Jason worked for the Cairns City Council, the former Gold Coast City Council as a statutory town planner and and was the Supervisor of all town planning applications for the southern region of the Gold Coast. Managing over 20 staff and acquiring a broad diversity of development applications, Jason’s expertise was instrumental in delivering projects such as Q1 and Emerald Lakes.
Jason departed Council in 2003 and became a Director for a private consultancy firm, establishing the town planning arm of the firm and specialising in the delivery of high rise and mixed use developments, such as The Oracle, Reflection Towers 1 & 2 and Southport Central. Jason has since established himself as the foremost planner and project manager for significant high rise development projects in the City.
Michael Nash - Director & Town Planner
Michael Nash is a qualified Town Planner with over 10 years experience in the development industry. Michael previously worked for a private consultancy firm on the Gold Coast before joining Council in 1996. In that capacity he worked on complex residential and mixed use projects that range from low rise to high rise such as Emerald Lakes, Glenwood Park, the Sundale Urban Village and the Coral Gardens mixed use development in Broadbeach Waters.
From 1998 to 2005 Michael held the Council position of Coordinator Technical Services in the Economic Development and Major Projects Directorate and was charged with managing large scale projects that were complex, politically sensitive and broadened the economic base of the City by creating employment and enhancing the City’s image.
These projects include the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gold Coast Marine Precinct, Gold Coast Harbour Study and Hope Island Local Area Plan. Since establishing UPS, Michael has been involved in several high profile residential and mixed use developments such as Seachange at Arundel, various large scale developments throughout the Hope Island area and the Gold Coast Marine Development Project which incorporates the proposed Cruise Ship Terminal.
Michael Falk - Director & Town Planner
Michael Falk has 9 years of town planning experience in Queensland, working in both the public and private sectors. Michael’s first 8 years were spent as a town planner for Gold Coast City Council before leaving in 2005 to establish this company.
During his time at Gold Coast City Council, Michael held the position of Coordinator Design Services for the Economic Development and Major Projects Directorate of Council, whose role was to project-manage major development applications owing to their scale, complexity and/or political sensitivity.
Michael has specialised in the planning of low, medium and high rise developments. Since establishing this independent practice he has been involved in a number of high profile projects including the ANA Hotel, Southport Central, Breezes, Marina Mirage and Dolphin Arcade redevelopments. As a project manager in GCCC, Michael successfully delivered the Marsim greenfield development at Paradise Point which introduced traditional neighbourhood design principles to the Gold Coast.
David Heyworth - General Manager
David Heyworth is a highly qualified Administrator with a wide range of business skills. He has a Bachelor of Land Surveying as well as Graduate Diplomas in Computing and Education. In 2006 he completed a Masters Degree in Business Administration in General Management. David attended the European Summer School for Advanced Management at Aarhus in Denmark where he worked on a marketing project. He has worked on the Gold Coast for the past 10 years in Administration.