PLACE Design Group is proud to announce the appointment of new Associates effective January 1, 2006. These appointments represent company acknowledgement of past contribution and future commitment to PLACE Design Group.

Alex Cohn, Architect and Brisbane Urban Design Manager has been appointed Associate.

Based in our Brisbane office, Alex manages our urban and civic design team and provides creative input into our masterplanning projects. His design creativity and capabilities in all aspects of our Urban Design Team support the "design focused" approach of the PLACE company. His work in the last year has included Northshore on Hamilton and a best practice world tour to assist his major infrastructure urban design in Brisbane.

Michelle Lawson, Finance Manager has been appointed Associate.

Michelle is the Finance Manager for PLACE based in Brisbane. She has continued to demonstrate boundless energy in keeping the company's operations well managed and provided enormous assistance to optimise the structure of PLACE across all offices in Australia and China. Her extra-curricula activities with fund raising for charities add to her busy schedule.

Mark Burgess, Gold Coast Landscape Manager has been appointed Associate.

With a background of almost 20 years consulting experience, Mark consistently delivers projects of a high standard while demonstrating a tremendous aptitude for design on a broad range of local and international projects. Mark's ability to provide creative but practical design and construction solutions, together with his skills in project management to achieve our client's project outcomes, makes him a key member of our Gold Coast team.

Whitney (Huiming Cai), Senior Urban Planner has been appointed Associate.

Whitney is a Planner and is based in our Shenzhen office. Whitney has demonstrated loyal commitment to PLACE through her dedicated involvement in the co-ordination and construction of numerous Landscape and Planning projects being carried out throughout China. Whitney adopts a positive and proactive approach and is very responsive to our Clients needs.

Walter Smith, Townsville Manager has been appointed Senior Associate.

Walter heads up our new Townsville office WSA PLACE, and will be managing the expansion of PLACE's multi-disciplinary services into North Queensland. Walter established WSA Landscape Architects 13 years ago in Townsville, and brings to PLACE a wealth of local experience and a fantastic project track record.

Jeremy Ferguson, Townsville Landscape Manager has been appointed Associate.

Jeremy previously provided excellent landscape design skills in our Sunshine Coast office, and has relocated to our Townsville office, WSA PLACE to be in charge of our Landscape Architecture services.

Chris Isles, Brisbane Town Planning Manager has been appointed Associate.

Chris' commitment to providing our clients with the highest level of service has been recognised by this appointment. Chris and his team provide the planning insight and strategic direction to facilitate development approvals for many challenging major projects throughout SEQ, coastal and regional centres. His knowledge of the planning framework and development issues affecting Queensland and strong relationships with local government and state agencies have made Chris a driving force in our consulting group and key adviser to industry groups such as the UDIA.