Launching Barr Planning over 7 years ago, Stephen Barr is a registered planner working in greater Newcastle, Sydney and throughout NSW. Barr Planning was established with the ethos that the company needed to be well run to provide continual improvement for both the business and the staff and through this subsidise work for entities that we could help that make a positive social impact on our community.
With over 25 years experience, Steve works closely with clients to combine strategic thinking with practical planning advice and expertise regarding development yield and delivery time frames; likely issues confronting developments and potential solutions; gaining approvals for a wide range of development.
Steve has the ability to bring people together to both create development opportunities and to also solve complex development and planning problems with a track record of creating opportunities for his clients while solving problem to achieve a workable development. Some of the more diverse projects Steve has worked on in his career include the BlackRock motor park, which involved the rehabilitation of an old mine site to create a new motor racing facility including a track, accommodation, function centre and a village for members, 170 hectare industrial sites, large residential development up to 2000 lots and a number of significant school projects together with a number of affordable housing developments. Steve commenced work in the development industry as a surveyor, a job he loved, being able to work outside and providing exposure to the whole development process, it was a great base to move into the town planning world. The growing complexity of the planning process must be balanced against the need to deliver outcomes that are achievable and practical for not only the developer but also the end users of the development.
He has a strong interest and involvement in the affordable housing sector which guides his vision to encourage the business sector to make positive social contributions that help support other socially aware organisations to achieve their goals. The housing sector is under significant pressure currently and the social and affordable housing options are a key element of the housing sector, providing important accommodation for people that can make life changing differences to the people that have the opportunity to use this housing.
Also a member of UDIA Hunter Committee, DANTIA Board Member and also Hunter Business Centre Board member.
Steve believes the future for the Hunter is very bright and looks forward to seeing what the Hunter Region becomes over the next 10 years. He considers it to be a privilege to be involved in projects that make a significant contribution to the hunter such as Newcastle Airport, the delivery of new schools, major employment generating developments, affordable housing, work around the Port of Newcastle, partnering with the University and working with Local Aboriginal Land Councils.
Away from work Steve is happiest standing on a beach fishing road in hand or driving around NSW with his wife to go and watch one of their 3 kids play either rugby or netball.
