New Acting Commissioner Appointments February 2023

New Acting Commissioner Appointments

24 February 2023

The Chief Judge is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Louise Byrne, Ms Gwenda Kullen, Dr David Parker, Ms Shona Porter and Ms Nicola Targett as Acting Commissioners of the Court for the period commencing 20 February 2023 and expiring on 19 Febraury 2025.

Acting Commissioner Louise Byrne

Ms Byrne has over 20 years’ experience as a barrister practising in environment, planning and local government, real property and equitable claims, Crown lands, native title and strata title disputes, and building and construction disputes. Ms Byrne holds the degrees of Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Science (with honours in biochemistry) from the University of NSW (1992). Ms Byrne has training and experience as a mediator, assisting in matters in the Supreme Court, District Court and NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal, and has served on legal professional bodies.

Acting Commissioner Gwenda Kullen

Ms Kullen has 45 years’ experience in civil engineering, and town and country planning. Ms Kullen holds a Bachelor of Science (1975), Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) (1978) and a Master of Town and Country Planning (1983) from the University of Sydney. Ms Kullen has worked in various local and State government positions, on statutory and strategic planning, environmental impact assessment, research and policy on coastal issues and transportation, and rezoning of surplus government land. Ms Kullen has served as a sessional member of Panels Victoria and in the Planning List of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. 

Acting Commissioner David Parker

Dr Parker has 37 years’ experience as a valuer and holds the degrees of Bachelor of Science (Honours) from the University of Reading, UK (1982); Master of Commerce from the University of Western Sydney (1992); Master of Business Administration from Melbourne Business School (2006); Master of Philosophy from the University of NSW (2012); and a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Technology (1997). Dr Parker has undertaken various positions in private practice, served as General Manager of the Australian Valuation Office in Canberra, an Acting Commissioner of the Land and Environment Court from 2007 to 2020, and most recently as the Valuer General of NSW.

Acting Commissioner Shona Porter

Ms Porter has 10 years’ experience in planning, and holds a Diploma of Music from the Australian Institute of Music (2011), a Master Degree of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Sydney (2014), and a Micro Credential Leading in Local Government from the University of Technology (2022). Ms Porter has worked as a statutory and strategic planner with several local Councils and worked as a social and economic planning consultant in private practice. 

Acting Commissioner Nicola Targett

Ms Targett has 12 years’ experience as a lawyer and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Technology (2012). Ms Targett’s practice covers all areas of environmental law, including compulsory acquisition, water pollution, contaminated land, planning and heritage.