Office of Planning Panels Victoria

Kathy was appointed as the Chief Panel Member in 2004 and has undergraduate qualifications in town planning and post graduate qualifications in urban sociology and a Master of Arts in Research by major thesis.  She has significant expertise in social and strategic planning, activity and precinct structure plans, retail development, environmental effects inquiries and built form.  She has previously worked in the private sector, local government and as an academic.

Kathy is a Life Fellow of the Victorian Planning and Environmental Law Association and an Honorary Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia.

Kathy was appointed as a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia (General Division) in the Queen’s Birthday 2021 Honours List in recognition of her significant service to urban planning and to professional associations.

Con Tsotsoros was appointed as a full time senior panel member at Planning Panels Victoria in July 2013.

Con has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Planning, with 14 years’ experience in the private sector and stints in local government, and has been with state government planning since 2006.  Con was formerly Assistant Director Statutory Systems in the former Department of Planning and Community Development, where he led major planning reform agenda initiatives. He specialises in retail, economic and strategic planning and heritage.

Con has been involved in significant planning scheme amendments involving residential zones, building heights, mandatory provisions, solar energy facilities, master and strategic planning.

Con is a Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia and member of the Victorian Planning and Environmental Law Association.

Sarah was appointed as a Senior Panel Member in July 2018 after three years as a Senior Sessional Member. Sarah has qualifications in Law and Arts.  She has significant expertise in planning, environmental and administrative law, and social housing and strategic planning.  Sarah has previously worked as a practicing lawyer in private practice in Melbourne and the United Kingdom, as well as in the public sector in Victoria.

Sarah is a Member of the Victorian Planning and Environmental Law Association.

Lester was appointed as Senior Panel Member in 2005, following several years as a sessional member. He has under graduate qualifications in town and regional planning and post graduate qualifications in sociology. Lester has significant expertise in strategic and statutory planning, project implementation and plain English communication and drafting.  He has previously worked in the Local Government and private sectors.

Lester is a Fellow of the Victorian Planning and Environmental Law Association.

Tim was appointed as Senior Panel Member in August 2018.  He has qualifications in Planning, Management and Project Management.  He has significant expertise in statutory and strategic planning, including heritage and urban design, activity and settlement planning, rural and coastal area planning.  Tim has previously worked in Local Government in regional Victoria and in the private sector.

Tim is a Member of the Victorian Planning and Environmental Law Association and a Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia.

Lisa Kendal was appointed as a full-time senior panel member at Planning Panels Victoria in October 2020.

Lisa has a Masters Environmental Science and a Master of Social Science (Environment and Planning) and has expertise in environment, strategic, rural and regional planning, sustainable development, climate change, community engagement and governance. Lisa has previously worked in local government, private practice and the not for profit sector, and was a sessional member of Planning Panels Victoria from 2015 – 2017.

Lisa is a member of the Planning Institute of Australia and the Victorian Planning and Environmental Law Association.