Northern Beaches Planning was founded by Rebecca Englund in 2022.   

Rebecca has more than 15 years of local government experience.

Prior to founding NBP, Rebecca was as an Acting Manager of Development Assessment at Northern Beaches Council, where she was responsible for the determination of development applications and the management of planning staff.   

Rebecca’s substantive role at Northern Beaches Council was in the Principal Planner position, where she was responsible for the assessment and management of more complex development applications, including the presentation of matters to the Northern Beaches Local Planning Panel, the Sydney North Planning Panel and the Design and Sustainability Advisory Panel.   

Rebecca also prepared pre-lodgement advice for members of the community, in addition to high-level planning advice to other areas of Council and State Government Agencies. Rebecca was also a fundamental contributor to the development of the Warriewood Valley Land Release Area, the Frenchs Forest Town Centre DCP amendments and early drafting of the consolidated Northern Beaches LEP and DCP.   

It was during this time at Council that Rebecca developed a reputation as a highly skilled and knowledgeable planner, with uncompromising integrity. She also established strong professional relationships with colleagues, government departments, key stakeholders and members of the community.  

Since establishing NBP, Rebecca has worked on projects of varying scale across the wider Sydney Metropolitan Area. However, the bulk of her work is the Northern Beaches, given her extensive knowledge of the policies and practices gained during her 12 years at Northern Beaches Council (and the former Pittwater Council).   

Rebecca has extensive experience with Class 1 and Class 4 appeals before the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales, including the preparation of statements of facts and contentions (and those in reply), individual and joint reports, and expert evidence at both s34 conciliation conferences and hearings. Since establishing NBP, Rebecca has acted as an expert witness in over 100 appeals, on behalf of Applicants and Councils, including Canterbury Bankstown Council, Central Coast Council, Mosman Council. Northern Beaches Council, Waverley Council and  Wingecarribee Shire Council. 

Rebecca has a Bachelor Degree in Architectural Studies and a Masters in Planning, both from the University of New South Wales.   Rebecca is a member of the Planning Institute of Australia.