VIC Emerging Planners Committee

Hugh McIntyre MPIA | Convenor

Zesty Planning

Hugh is the 2026 Convenor of the VEP Committee, excited to engage emerging planners with the industry and bring them to the table in discussions on state and national policy. Beyond PIA, Hugh founded Zesty Planning in 2024 which provides town planning services to private and government clients.

Amy Longva PIA (Assoc.) | Deputy Convenor

Niche Studio

Amy is an urban planner who seamlessly integrates scientific methodology with contemporary planning practices, bringing nearly two decades of cross-disciplinary expertise to complex urban challenges. Experienced in the built environment sector from both an urban planning and an environmental perspective, Amy is passionate about collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Lola Bateman PIA (Assoc.)

Department of Transport and Planning

Lola is a passionate strategic planner currently working on the Plan for Victoria at DTP. She also has over two years experience in the private sector. Lola is eager to strengthen her contribution to the planning industry through a role on the Victorian emerging planners committee this year.

Aishwarya Bhardwaz PIA (Assoc.)

Department of Transport and Planning

Aishwarya Bhardwaz is a planning professional currently working within Planning Services at the Department of Transport and Planning. She brings close to two years of experience in the private sector, gained while completing her Master of Urban Planning and Environment at RMIT. Alongside her professional role, she leads the Policy and Advocacy Team within the PIA Victorian Emerging Planners (VEP) Committee and is also a member of the core organising committee for the PIA Urban Data Network, where she has contributed to both the successful establishment of the network and its ongoing development.

Ben Bragagnolo MPIA

Tract Consultants

Ben has worked across statutory planning, strategic planning, Games and legacy planning, and community and stakeholder engagement. He began his town planning journey at Brisbane City Council where he gained an extensive understanding of local government planning and contributed to the City’s planning for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Since moving to Melbourne, he has transitioned to the private sector and has worked across a myriad of projects and with a diverse range of clients. Ben has longstanding involvement with PIA. He was heavily involved with the Queensland Emerging Planners Committee and has joined the Victorian Emerging Planners Committee in 2026 as the Partnerships and Outreach Lead. 

Hayden Chan PIA (Assoc.)

Urbis

Hayden is an urban planning graduate passionate about achieving land use and transport planning integration. With experience in both local government and the private sector, and a great awareness of current planning issues and policies, Hayden is motivated to utilise his analytical and problem-solving skills to help achieve positive planning outcomes for all.

Amelia Donati

Russell Kennedy

Amelia is a Lawyer (Government, Planning, and Environment) at Russell Kennedy. 

Tasma Eddy PIA (Assoc.)

Beveridge Williams

Tasma is a Graduate Town Planner at Beveridge Williams. 

Daniel Moody PIA (Assoc.)

Department of Transport and Planning 

Daniel is a Senior Policy Officer at the Department of Transport and Planning. 

Otto Sargent PIA (Assoc.)

Cogency Australia

Otto is an Master of Urban Planning Student at the University of Melbourne and a planning assistant at Cogency Australia. 

Connie Wong PIA (Assoc.)

City of Stonnington

Connie is a passionate strategic planner with experience in individual and group Planning Scheme Amendments. She has worked alongside Councils and industry associations on projects focusing on planning controls for climate change and flood management. Dedicated to shaping the future of Victoria’s planning industry, Connie is contributing to the Victorian Emerging Planners Committee this year, supporting the growth and development of the industry.