Chris De Silva is a town planner with over 30 years of growth area experience gained primarily at the City of Whittlesea where he occupied the positions of Manager Strategic Planning and Director Planning and Development.

Just like a yoga swami or other deity, Chris is the humble, visionary leader of the Mesh studio.

Highly respected in the planning industry for his ability to conceptualise the strategic merits of any given project, Chris’ talents are well respected in his positions as expert witness for many planning panels, Council education workshops and appointment on the Minister for Planning’s Standard Development Contributions Advisory Committee.

In further testimony to his fourth dimensional understanding of planning, his ability to appreciate and anticipate planned outcomes is supported by his philosophy of rigorously ‘testing’ each site, especially those with a nearby golf course.

Chris specialises in shared infrastructure costing implementation, Section 173 negotiations, Expert Evidence, high level strategic plans including PSPs, growth strategies & framework level plans and strategies and the ability to perfectly match shorts with a business shirt - but only ever on Fridays.

Click here to view Chris’ CV

With a unique ability to efficiently summarise all known things into an Excel spreadsheet -preferably with formulae - Leah is Mesh’s obsessively organised yet conversely, verbose, Associate Director and leader of Mesh’s planning team.

With her extensive experience in both the public and private sectors, Leah has the ability to anticipate all likely planning and design issues. Apart from astounding her workmates, this forward-thinking approach has been well received in the planning and development industry, where Leah is recognised for her ability to formulate logical and future proof solutions and strategies that may not have been previously considered.

Leah specialises in high level strategic plans including PSPs and Strategy Plans, Development Plans, Planning Scheme Amendments, infrastructure funding negotiations and relentlessly pursuing customer service agents until they audibly break.

Click here to view Leah’s CV

Often found pouring over a well turned out plan, design or new pair of kicks, Michelle’s ability to translate complex design briefs into carefully resolved plans makes her the perfect fit to lead the Mesh urban design team. Michelle takes pride in producing work that is effectively communicated, site responsive, client focused, commercial and implementable.

With around 20 years’ experience in growth area masterplanning and design, Michelle’s approach is creative and pragmatic. She is able to synthesise all elements of a site and transform it into a responsive and elegant solution that is meticulously thought out and tested under the Mesh microscope.

Michelle has accrued her talents by practising in urban design management in both public and private sector roles and is often invited to guest lecture and facilitate Council and private sector urban design training.

Click here to view Michelle’s CV

Jo is our New Zealand based counterpart who is an incredibly well versed strategic urban planner, mother, cook and Mesh fashion icon. Known for her relentless pursuit of the perfectly overpriced sourdough, before re-locating to New Zealand, Jo also had a long standing and highly regarded career in both the Victorian local government and private sector with an emphasis in growth area structure planning and implementation.

Jo is among few planners in Victoria with such an in-depth understanding of infrastructure contribution strategies and what colour shoe should be worn with a navy pant. Her knowledge affords her the ability to review and prepare implementation models to support projects to get off the ground in a fair and equitable manner while always looking fabulous.

Specialising in infrastructure funding implementation and review, high level strategic plans, development plan preparation and review, planning scheme amendments and home-made lemon tarts, Jo’s meticulous nature and strategic background ensures all Mesh projects are rigorously tested and will ‘stack up’ to meet expectations - as do her tarts.

Click here to view Jo’s CV

Despite waking at 4:30 every morning* to train dressage horses in a remote paddock, Bronwyn Petitt is actually quite sane, best demonstrated by her decision to leave a legal career and instead study for her masters degree in Planning & Environment.

With a philosophy based on not over complicating already complicated planning issues, her drive to achieve feasible, practical planning solutions that provide the best community outcomes is matched only by her passion for raw food and travel … and standing in remote paddocks with horses.

Mesh Bronwyn Pettitt CV

When he’s not dropping some hot beats as resident drummer in his bungalow, Jacob can be found in the Mesh studio tapping away whilst he dreams up visionary designs for towns, activity centres, streetscapes and landscapes. His real talent is drawing on a wide range of urban design skills techniques, technologies and the mesh team to realise his (or his client’s) urban design dreams.  In his role as team leader, Jacob keeps our band of talented urban designers working together in time to a steady beat, whilst encouraging some timely artistic improvisation (and occasional self indulgent drum solo ) to keep it fun and innovative!

Winning a local urban design competition at 14 began Jacobs life-long pursuit for quality well considered and clearly communicated design. Now a well-established urban design leader, Jacob has broad experience and qualifications in urban design, landscape architecture and planning in both the public and private sectors, and is considered a meshy all-rounder. This life-long pursuit continues at Mesh in every project Jacob works on, firing his passion for reimagining how we should plan and design our cities and towns.

Jacob also works collaboratively with communities in remote areas of Nepal, not-for profit, believing in sharing his skills where they will be of most value.

Click here to view Jacob’s CV

Starting off his studies in architecture, Ryan was soon inspired by the words of George Constanza’s protégé, “Why limit myself to just one building, when I can design a whole city?” and thus found himself growing fond of the world of Urban Planning and it’s basis in all aspects of the industry that covers it all; from design, law, community engagement, politics, etc. etc. “You name it, there’s probably an urban planner somehow connected along the way.” That’s a direct quote.

Starting his career in Adelaide before moving to Melbourne, Ryan has experience with planning across several states, having worked in both Government and Private Sectors before joining Mesh. He has a focus on development facilitation and being both personable and tenacious in equal measure, is a strong performer at Council meetings and within the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. He also understands that the key to great service is responsiveness.

Away from the office and when he isn’t showing up to the office at the crack of dawn, Ryan is our resident “bad boy” enjoying the mellow tones of heavy metal. He also assures us that he usually rocks a tan…we’ve yet to see it.

Click here to view Ryan’s CV

Derek believes that when a design sings and the client is dancing then you have nailed a good result. He also shows great pride in Mesh – he says “Mesh aims to deliver the best possible outcome for any job they undertake. It draws on a wealth of talent and experience to arrive at resolutions that accommodate all parties. They also love a good party” and this is probably why he works hard to research, collate and distil information regarding a site and whole-heartedly drives the design until completion…and then he likes to party

When he’s not busy designing, Derek enjoys wringing his city life for all that its worth and ‘nerding it out’ with his urban designer roommate. He also enjoys getting in touch with nature stating, ‘surf and turf’ is sometimes better than ‘kerb and channel’. Derek believes good design is a way of engineering the quality of people’s daily existence; ideas can be subtle and nuanced but the effects last for generations.

Click here to view Derek’s CV

Although having to occasionally poke Ryan to ensure he’s still with us, his sense of calm amongst the chaos, attention to detail and dedication to the Mesh process is wholly evident in his work, representing the ideas and thoughts of the Mesh team through clear and informative plans and visuals.

Having always been interested in the built environment, Ryan’s passion for urban design sprouted at RMIT completing degrees in Design (Landscape Architecture) and Urban and Regional Planning. During his studies, Ryan joined the Mesh team to accelerate his design skills and continues to enjoy the supportive and holistic environment that Mesh thrives on, including the opportunity to construct an array of pencil receptacles and discarded plans.

Ryan always strives for creative solutions that exceed the benchmark, only chasing pars on the golf course. He believes that within urban design there is a unique opportunity to create a solid foundation for community growth and longevity.….

Click here to viewRyan’s CV

Although she believes office plants reduce stress and negative feelings she is often seen struggling to keep her desk plant alive, whilst also trying to ward off starvation herself. Laura has managed to survive and graduate from Urban and Regional Planning with Honours and is also repping the planning industry on the PIA Young Planners Committee. The Mesh family could not be prouder!

Laura believes producing a plan that will yield a good outcome is what planning is all about. That’s probably why our go-to girl is always seen working up a sweat writing reports, preparing planning applications, liaising with Council and undertaking any other task needed to make the right stuff happen. She also works up a good sweat every morning at F45 – but thankfully takes a shower afterwards.

Laura has faith that curiosity and passion for the built environment will make it better, and when she’s not being insightful, in her spare time Laura enjoys coming home from a longs day of work relaxing with some arts and crafts or a good puzzle.

Click here to view Laura’s CV

Michael feels that to get a good result for a project, you need to successfully find the balance of issues and solutions to produce practical planning and design outcomes. He also cites ‘spreadsheets and coffee” as a major key to achieving this.

Joining Mesh as a student whilst still studying, Michael has learnt everything he knows from the Mesh team and claims that if we were to have our own TV show it would be ‘Utopia’ but for capable people. Rarely ruffled, Michael’s calm manner has the ability to keep things light in a stressful situation.

When not hustling Council for a straight answer, Michael can be found a various music gigs, playing sport, supporting his beloved Central Coast Mariners (and not so beloved Melbourne Football Club), or lost in a YouTube vortex.

Click here to view Michael’s CV

Gerard is our resident GIS expert, and has spent several years honing his skills across he would spend his days merrily tinkering away with GIS & CAD if he was left to his own devices.

When not at work, Gerard likes to traipse all over the globe, he loves a good flight sale, and this has found him on several “short” holidays abroad, first up Hawaii for 4 days & then later Bali for 3. When on home soil, he can be found wandering around markets or at the gym, (he also admits to lying about being a gym rat…we don’t judge).

Click here to view Gerard’s CV

Pat joined us as a student planner in 2017 and hasn’t stopped impressing us since. Her interest in cities and her desire to help shape them, led her into the industry and she hasn’t looked back. She believes that great communication and a willingness to be open to new ideas is key to a successful project. That and an ample supply of goodies for when times are tough!

Eager to learn, Pat has worked on projects of all scales and says she is up for anything “under the sun” (aka Mesh’s extremely bright fluorescent office lights). She took on the challenge of running the Mesh Instagram this year and she’s killing it, with her hashtag game improving all the time. #meshsocial

Out of the office Pat can be found studying hard to complete her Masters OR when her brain has had enough she’ll be trying out the latest YouTube home workouts, dancing, attending the coolest music gigs and walking other people’s dogs.

Click here to view Patricia’s CV

Having spent several years working abroad in various sectors, Kat believes that a common factor behind every successful team in a solid administration team, or in our case a solid administrator and it’s a role she undertakes with dedication. Amongst her endless list of responsibilities, keeping the fridge stocked is right up near the top, right behind invoicing, and closely followed by fighting the battle to keep our office plants alive…an administrators work is never done!

When not keeping the office in check, Kat can be found outside communing with nature. A self-confessed outdoor enthusiast, she would rather hike some remote location or snowboard down a mountain over sitting on the beach with a cocktail (it takes all kinds), always planning the next adventure, a true Sagittarian we’re told…

Click here to view Katherine’s CV

Our Perth counterpart and graphic designer, specialises in our branding, reports and infographics. Trisha has spent the last fifteen years quietly establishing her expertise in layout and typography, she ensures Mesh’s materials are clearly accessible and visually communicate what needs to be said in a well balanced, on-brand, consistent manner. Trisha offers guidance in translating complex pieces of work by merging key elements to create simplified yet clear communication tools.

With experience working both client and agency-side before starting at Mesh 2018, Trisha provides support for both our urban design team and planners.

Click here to view Trisha’s CV

Derrick completed his degree in Urban Design & Planning from the University of Melbourne in July, 2019 He is passionate about exploring the role of urban mapping with the construction of spatial knowledge he acquired. Derrick also loves to bring his thoughts and creativity onto the table to illustrate complex ideas by designing meaningful visuals and maps.

Click here to view Derrick’s CV

Kate is our curly, creative and energetic multi-disciplinary urban designer with a keen interest in place making.

Kate loved to draw and create elaborate towns as a child and it is still her passion to this day. Often found with a drawing book in-hand, Kate enjoys sketching the amazing places she encouters and is inspired by travel. She is also known to demolish a cheese platter!

Click here to view Kate’s CV

Nicole started off in architecture and through overseas travel, noticed that majority of architects were ‘CAD monkeys’…you know drawing lines all day (no offence to architects) – and decided that wasn’t for her. Through research and networking, she discovered urban planning and found out how much planning can generate great improvements (and sometimes not so great) in the quality of people’s lives. Planning is about the social connectedness of humans and the integration all aspects of ‘life’ - there is so much we (planners) can do to improve the way we live.

Outside of the mesh office, Nicole can be found exploring, travelling, eating (a lot), drinking (alcohol), shopping (I should really stop), being outdoors, going to music festivals, dance classes and being active (it’s a love hate relationship but I do love to work up a sweat especially when I’m sitting down all day) and I do love a good brunch/dinner catch up with friends.