Company Profile
Urban Planning Services was established in September 2005 and comprises three Directors, Michael Nash, Jason McGrath and Michael Falk. The firm 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 development to broad hectare subdivision.
The firm’s current clients are high profile state, national and international companies who are respected leaders and innovators in the development and property industry. Examples of projects the firm is either project managing or providing town planning services for include The Oracle mixed use, high-rise development at Broadbeach, the Reflections Towers mixed use, high rise development at Coolangatta, Southport Central mixed use, high rise development, the ANA redevelopment in Surfers Paradise and the greenfield aged persons accommodation development at Arundel, known as Seachange.
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 14 years experience in the property development industry. Jason worked for Cairns City Council and Gold Coast City Council as a statutory town planner and eventually was appointed Supervisor for all property development within the southern region of the Gold Coast. Jason’s diverse exposure and expertise within this industry have been instrumental in delivering projects such as Q1, Aria, Chevon Renaissance and Emerald Lakes.
Jason left Council in 2003 and became a Director for a private consultancy firm, establishing the town planning arm of the firm and specialising in the successful delivery of high rise and mixed use developments. As a Director with UPS, Jason has been fundamental to the success of such major developments as The Oracle, Refl ection Towers 1 & 2, Nirvana, Southport Central, Verve, Oceans, Alchemy and Bermuda Point. Jason has established himself as the foremost planner and project manager for significant high rise and mixed use development projects on the Gold Coast.
Michael Nash - Director & Town Planner
Michael Nash is a qualified town planner with 12 years experience in the development industry and worked for a private town planning consultancy firm on the Gold Coast before joining Council in 1996. In that capacity he worked on complex residential and mixed use projects that ranged 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, created employment and enhanced the City’s image.
These projects included 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 a wide range of high profi le residential and mixed use developments such as the $12.5 billion Marina Quays development at Hope Island, Santa Cruz Central Urban Village at Clear Island Waters, Seachange Over 50’s Resort at Arundel, Gold Coast Marine Development project on the Southport Spit, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre expansion and Kirra Central, a 10 storey mixed use high rise tower.
Michael Falk - Director & Town Planner
Michael Falk has over 10 years of town planning experience in Queensland, working in both the public and private sectors. His fi rst 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 GCCC Michael held the positions of Supervisor Special Projects and 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 profi le projects including the Dolphin Arcade, ANA Hotel, Southport Central and Gold Coast International redevelopments. As a project manager in GCCC, Michael successfully delivered the Marsim greenfi eld development at Paradise Point which introduced traditional neighbourhood design principles to the Gold Coast. He also has experience in numerous residential subdivisions and master planned communities such as the Little Beach deve lopment at Paradise Point which introduced traditional neighbourhood design principles to the Gold Coast.
David Heyworth - General Manager
David Heyworth is a highly qualifi ed Administrator with tertiary qualifications in Land Surveying, Education, Computing and Business. He recently graduated from Griffi th University completing a Masters in Business Administration (General Management). In 2006, as part of his university studies, he attended the European Summer School for Advanced Management in Denmark where he worked on a marketing project. He has worked on the Gold Coast for the past 10 years in Administrationand has headed up the team at UPS since June 2008.