Balance, Diversity, and Navigation: An Interview with Town Planner Ryan Gill
/Ryan is an extremely lovely and knowledgeable town planner,
running his biz ‘Balance Planing Services’ from his space at Nauti Studios in the Blue Mountains.
We asked Ryan some red hot Qs to get a behind the scenes look at the world,
and inspirations behind him and his amazing work.
Tea or coffee?
Coffee in the AM. Tea in the PM.
Sunrise or sunset?
Sunrise!
What scares you?
Tight spaces... but specifically being underground and stuck in a tight space. I think caving is for insane people.
When did you start working in town planning?
Second year of university... so ~2006.
What do you like most about your work?
I like that my days and experiences are diverse. I work across various sectors (e.g. residential, industrial, commercial, health... etc.) and on projects ranging in scale and complexity. I like that I'm typically part of a project team consisting of interesting people with various skill sets and expertise (e.g. design, engineering, ecology...).
It's rewarding helping clients navigate the (complex and confusing) planning approval process.
What’s your fav thing about Nauti?
That it's not my spare bedroom! Having physical separation from home has been awesome. Sharing a space with lots of interesting people is a bonus. I like that the place is relaxed and the other sailors are grounded. It's a far cry from the corporate office environments I've operated in previously!
What is the project you are most proud of?
It's the small projects for the "mum and dad" clients that I find are often the most rewarding. The outcome is deeply personal for them - it may be an extension to a new family home, or a shop fit-out for a new small business - and obtaining planning approval can be overwhelming and exhausting. I feel a sense of pride when we're able to successfully navigate them through the journey.
What are you working on at the moment?
Lots! Mostly smaller residential projects across the state. A few local "seniors housing" jobs. A cool holiday cabin proposal in the Blue Mountains.
If you weren't a town planner, what would you be??
Probably a similar discipline in the same industry... like an architect.
If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be?
I reckon it'd be interesting to have dinner with a young version of myself.
I'd have some good advice for that guy.
