About us
Our TEAM
Our team is energetic, professional and approachable. We are passionate about helping our communities prosper and making our regional cities and places a great place to live and work, both for now and for future generations.
Our mission is to provide you with practical and outcome based solutions, which make a difference to your community.
We understand the complexities of local government in regional areas – with our team having extensive experience in the industry in both the private and public sectors. Together we bring a complementary skill set across our services which sets us apart from other consultants.
We also work closely with like minded consultants who complement our spectrum of services. By successfully partnering with our collaborators we can tailor our services to include master planning and design services, project and contract management, asset management engineering and environmental assessment. We can also provide conflict coaching and workplace training.
Steve Thompson
Director – Planning and Strategy
Steve is a qualified planner with a strong focus on strategic and policy development. He has over 20 years’ experience across various areas of government and in private practice in Australia and overseas.
He has obtained the leading qualifications in community engagement from International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) and successfully delivered hundreds of projects for his clients across a range of policy and operational settings.
Steve has developed a reputation for high quality and timely advice and a unique understanding of project delivery, particularly through a local government context.
Contact Steve
T 0419 700 401
Emma Broomfield
Director – Legal, Governance, Mediation
Emma is a qualified lawyer and nationally accredited mediator with over 15 years’ experience in the local government sector. She has gained valuable experience within the sector in Sydney, the United Kingdom, and regional New South Wales.
She has specialised in providing legal, governance and conflict resolution services, and is appointed as an independent Code of Conduct reviewer for numerous councils across northern NSW.
Emma has an established reputation for her professional approach and provision of practical and quality advice. She is known for her calm and empathetic qualities.
Contact Emma
T 0421 180 881
Cinnamon Dunsford
Principal Planner
Cinnamon is a Certified Practising Planner and experienced community engagement practitioner with close to 20 years’ experience in the local government sector. She has a range of strategic, coastal, rural, environmental and economic planning experience.
She is a Member of the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) and has completed the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Certificate in Engagement.
Cinnamon is valued for her experience and skill in holistically managing all stages of planning projects, and is known for her fantastic facilitation skills.
Contact Cinnamon
T 0401 447 603
Katrina Burbidge
Principal Planner
Katrina is a highly regarded planner with over twenty years’ experience. She has worked on a broad range of projects with international experience, as well as within state government, local government and the private sector. Katrina joined Locale in mid 2019.
Her breadth of experience has made her a well-rounded professional capable of undertaking and leading project teams across a range of projects.
Some of these include rural and regional planning, economic development plans, growth management plans, local strategic plans, feasibility studies, social impact assessments, local environmental plans, master planning and urban design.
Contact Katrina
T 0403 037 704
Lelia Kamphorst
Consultant – Strategy & Engagement
Lelia is a geographical science and engagement professional with a strong focus on people and place. She has varied experience working with regional and rural communities in a range of capacities as well as exposure to community development both in Australia and overseas. She is also formally trained with the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2).
Lelia joined the Locale team in early 2019 and undertakes a range of projects within the strategy and planning team, as well as through Locale’s training services.
Lelia loves working with communities to deliver practical and lasting results and her strengths include excellent communication and people skills.
Contact Lelia
T 0415 055 788
Michelle Ryan
Office Manager
Michelle has a background in human resources, learning and development and administration, as well as events, with experience working in both small businesses and large corporations. This includes the hospitality, tourism and entertainment industries.
Michelle operates with a high level of confidentiality and sensitivity, as well as organisational awareness.
Michelle joined the Locale team in August 2018, providing additional research capability and hands on experience in areas such as event management and project planning as well as being support for the Locale team.
Contact Michelle
T 0439 754 733
T 0419 700 401