About – Smart Planning and Design

About Us

The Smarter, Faster Way to Council Approval

When you want Council Approval for a planned development, delays or rejections cost you time, money and stress. Our team are dedicated to getting your plans approved with smart thinking that draws on years of experience working on small through to regional scale developments and various councils throughout Victoria, New South Wales and across Australia.

With our high approval success rate and proven approvals system, we save our clients headaches and in most cases, the hassle of supplying subsequent rounds of information. Our team work fast and hard to get you a yes from council in the shortest time possible. Our trusted and extensive networks also helps our clients get their project completed with high quality professionals and advisors for any stage or aspect of the project.

Core Team

David Klingberg

Director

David Klingberg has over 30 years’ experience in the planning and the design industry having worked on significant projects nationally and internationally for state and local governments, as well as the private sector. David’s town planning expertise has delivered outstanding outcomes for his clients. David’s extensive projects include development approvals land use strategies and growth area planning, mixed use and residential master planning, urban regeneration, town centre revitalisation studies and initiatives, state and local government planning policy development and urban design advice. David’s expertise is regularly sought after as a presenter to conferences across Australia and Asia, various universities and for the Planning Institute of Australia.

Tyler Leese

Senior Town Planner

I am a passionate Senior Town Planner with experience working for both local government and within the private sector. My experience ranges from strategic planning projects to statutory planning, with strengths in project management, project team management, negotiation, and achieving positive project outcomes for clients. I am a confident communicator, abstract thinker, and love to solve problems! My current role as a Senior Town Planner involves managing commercial and residential planning applications for clientele both within Victoria and interstate, communicating and negotiating with councils and finding creative pathways forward.

Sarah Phillips

Senior Town Planner

Kudzai Samoyo

Assistant Town Planner

A committed, passionate and dedicated individual with a range of skills and qualifications gained over the past few years. I have a comprehensive knowledge of Town planning practices and construction methodologies combined with a strong sense of design development. My key expertise include:- Town Planning practices - Development control - Property Development and Site Planning in the Urban Planning industry. A creative and innovative professional that seeks the challenge to bring about real change through sustainable development that creates a tangible impact on communities. Proven ability to work on multiple projects at once while ensuring results delivery and complete client satisfaction

Tomislav Buljubasic

Assistant Town Planner

Carmi Medina

EA & Marketing Manager

Clients & Partners

We provide services to a range of clients and collaborators, some examples include:

Private Individuals seeking council approvals for developments in: – Victoria and New South Wales

Small to mid size developers – Three Pillars, Core Projects, Abiwood

Large scale developers – Lend Lease, Mirvac, Stockland, Eglinton Estates, MAB

Cities – City of Melbourne, Maribyrnong City Council, Banyule City Council, City of Sydney, City of Newcastle, City of Ho Chi Minh

Regions – The Hunter Region, Greater Shepparton City Council

Collaborators: – ARUP, GTA traffic consultants, Hill PDA, Norton Rose Fulbright

Some of our Private Sector Clients and Partners

APIC

Charter Keck Cramer

EPCAD

Guildfords

GTA Consultants

Henderson and Lodge Architects

Hill PDA

Hillsfar

Hitachi

John Demos Architecture

Meinhardt Australia

MLD Studio

Norton Rose Fulbright

SGA Architecture

Smith & Tracey Architects

Three Pillars

TTM Group

Woodsome Management

Some of our Public Sector Clients and Partners

Banyule City Council

Bayside City Council

City of Boroondara

City of Brimbank

City of Canada Bay

HendCity of Caseyerson and Lodge Architects

City of Darebin

City of Greater Dandenong

City of Greater Shepparton

City of Holroyd

City of Melbourne

City of Newcastle

City of Penrith

City of Port Phillip

City of Ryde

City of Sydney

City of Whittlesea

City of Yarra

Darebin City Council DELWP

Knox City Council

Manningham City Council

Maribyrnong City Council

Shire of Nillumbik

Strathfield Council

Client Focused

We are dedicated to serving our clients’ needs. We have a client focus and ethos where we put our customers’ satisfaction first. We continually strive for the highest quality client relations and service delivery.

Commercial

We have commercial awareness with an understanding of the wider environment in which our clients operate. We are aware of the need for efficiency, cost-effectiveness, customer care and a knowledge of the marketplace in which your company operates.

Experienced

We are experienced in town planning and urban design, project delivery and client satisfaction. We continue to acquire knowledge and innovate fast to thrive in a rapidly changing environment. We are a learning organization creating a culture that encourages and supports continuous employee learning and new ideas.

Smart

SMART is our best practice framework for setting goals and delivery of the highest quality service to our clients. Our SMART goals are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound.