Richard Stevenson

Senior Associate - Urban Planning

Richard is an experienced urban planner and strategic planner based in Melbourne, with over two decades of expertise in both the public and private sectors. His extensive knowledge spans all areas of strategic and statutory planning, using conceptual thinking to achieve logical and pragmatic planning solutions. Having held senior positions in Australia and the United Kingdom, Richard brings a dynamic and results-driven approach to urban planning projects.

Throughout his career, Richard has gained detailed experience in urban, heritage, and environmental planning, contributing to a variety of projects including structure plans, development plans, master plans, land use framework plans, and policy-focused initiatives. He has worked on projects both in Australia and internationally, addressing complex urban challenges with a strategic mindset.

Richard’s portfolio includes large-scale residential developments, mixed-use projects, retail, commercial, industrial, and educational schemes in metropolitan and sensitive rural/urban fringe locations. His strong understanding of the Victorian planning system is further demonstrated through his advocacy work at VCAT and Planning Panels, where he provides expert insight and strategic planning advice.

Leanne Dowey

Senior Associate - Landscape Architecture

Leanne Dowey is a Registered Landscape Architect with over 30 years of experience working with both private and public sector clients. Throughout her career, she has been involved in every aspect of landscape architecture, including design, documentation, contract administration, and expert representation for a wide range of projects, varying in size and complexity.

Leanne’s strong design skills, social awareness, and adaptability allow her to create landscape solutions that are responsive to client needs and site conditions. With broad experience in private residential and multi-unit developments, she excels in concept design, planting design, and project documentation. Leanne’s approach is always tailored to the specific project, focusing on client briefs and delivering site-responsive designs that enhance the broader landscape and neighbourhood character. She is committed to promoting ecologically sustainable development in every project.

Leanne is highly experienced in preparing landscape plans for town planning applications and obtaining town planning endorsement. She frequently appears as an expert witness at VCAT, providing evidence on a variety of projects, including multi-unit developments, private residences, educational facilities, and commercial developments. Working within a multidisciplinary team of landscape architects, urban designers, and planners, Leanne ensures that every project meets its potential while contributing positively to Melbourne’s landscape.

James Kelly

Senior Associate - Urban Design

James is a Senior Associate Urban Designer with extensive experience in both private and public sectors, contributing to the shaping of urban environments across Melbourne and internationally. His expertise spans urban design strategies, built form frameworks, structure plans, and infrastructure projects, including technical advisory roles for Victoria’s Big Build Program. Initially drawn to architecture, James expanded his focus to urban design, driven by a passion for how people engage with urban and natural landscapes.

Throughout his career, James has led and contributed to various urban renewal and infrastructure projects, site and city-scale master planning, and place-oriented streetscape design. He has developed urban design guidelines and provided input on township planning, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of how to balance growth with community needs.

James has also built a strong reputation in urban design review, preparing expert witness statements for VCAT and Planning Panels Victoria on complex development and infrastructure proposals. His international experience includes city-scale planning and tourism development projects across South-East Asia, where he collaborated with local agencies and stakeholders to deliver context-sensitive outcomes.

In addition to project leadership, James is committed to nurturing the next generation of urban designers through his role as a tutor in the Bachelor of Design program at the University of Melbourne. His ability to lead teams, engage with industry groups, and deliver impactful urban design solutions makes him a key contributor to the built environment in Melbourne and beyond.

Castiel Hamilton

Senior Associate - Landscape Architecture

Castiel is a Registered Landscape Architect with over a decade of local and international experience. Her design philosophy emphasises respect for the natural environment and history, achieved through attentive observation and deep listening, creative interpretation and collaboration. She champions environmentally responsible and culturally inclusive co-design and enjoys working with community, allied practitioners and clients.

As a practitioner working on Country, Castiel is actively building her own connection to Country by building meaningful relationships with Country, community, and culture both through project work and personal pastimes.

With a background and ongoing interest in landscape architecture, horticulture, art, urban and environmental planning, Castiel brings a broad knowledge base to Hansen enabling her to respond to diverse client needs and expectations creatively and effectively.

Castiel excels in providing creative and technical design for urban, residential, and environmental development projects. Her successful track record is a result of strong artistic, interpersonal, and communication skills. These strengths facilitate successful engagement and the development of sustainable design solutions to achieve client expectations.