Our projects

Infrastructure demand, coordination and delivery

Investment optimisation and program leadership

Strategic planning, policy and reform

Statutory planning and management

  • Client: Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure 

    Briar was engaged to review critical transport, social, health and education infrastructure needs for a Western Sydney growth area, with a 20-year planning horizon. 

    Taking a pragmatic, analytical approach, Briar led a robust and extensive stakeholder consultation program across key infrastructure agencies and service providers. This allowed the team to uncover pain points early, understand delivery limitations, and build buy-in for a realistic, deliverable set of priorities. 

    Briar developed a tailored methodology and weighting framework to support a new multi-criteria prioritisation process, including identifying the timing, funding status, and dependencies of critical infrastructure components, ensuring alignment with updated housing forecasts and emerging planning proposals. This resulted in a clear, defensible hierarchy of infrastructure needs and agreed critical infrastructure list that better aligns growth, sequencing and investment decisions. 

    Briar’s approach and work provided Government with a practical pathway to make confident strategic and financial decisions ahead of place-based business case work, enabling timely, staged infrastructure delivery and stronger outcomes for rapidly growing communities. Description text goes here

  • Client: Transport for NSW 

    Briar was engaged by Transport for NSW (TfNSW) to develop a prioritisation framework and phased investment approach for key transport connections across South Western Sydney, supporting long-term housing growth and the expansion of freight networks over a 20-year horizon.

    Briar defined clear project objectives and developed a tailored prioritisation methodology, assessing investment priorities, risks and infrastructure scenarios to identify a sequenced program of critical transport connections. This provided a defensible, transparent basis for decision-making and resulted in a prioritised list aligned with regional growth and delivery realities. 

    Through rigorous multi-criteria analysis, sensitivity testing and targeted engagement with TfNSW teams and partner agencies, Briar enabled a more cost-effective and sustainable long-term transport investment strategy. 

  • Client: Energy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo)  

    Briar was engaged by the Energy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo) to develop an Enabling Infrastructure Investment & Governance (EIIG) Framework to support the delivery of Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) under the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap.  

    Briar designed a robust prioritisation framework underpinned by a multi-criteria analysis (MCA), assessing infrastructure needs based on criticality, timing, dependencies and funding pathways. This included identifying a long list of enabling infrastructure for the Central-West Orana REZ, reviewing existing engagement across key state agencies, and applying the framework to prioritise projects aligned with business-critical timeframes. 

    Through targeted workshops and collaboration with EnergyCo and partner agencies, the framework was refined to align objectives and support practical decision-making. The outcome was a clear, staged program of works that aligns with government budgeting and business case assessment processes, improving funding prospects and supporting the timely delivery of REZ infrastructure. 

  • Client: Wollongong City Council 

    Briar was engaged by Wollongong City Council to develop an infrastructure sequencing and prioritisation framework for the West Dapto Urban Release Area, the Illawarra’s most significant residential growth corridor. As development was progressing unevenly across multiple stages, Council required a clear, defensible approach to align infrastructure delivery with housing growth and funding availability. 

    Briar designed and facilitated a multi-criteria analysis (MCA) to assess more than 200 infrastructure items identified in the West Dapto Development Contributions Plan. The framework tested key variables including growth assumptions, developer readiness, environmental constraints and delivery pathways, such as contributions, works-in-kind, grants and Council capital investment. 

    In a collaborative prioritisation workshop, Briar worked with Council to apply the framework and agree on a practical list of priority infrastructure projects. The outcome has provided a strong foundation for sequencing infrastructure investment, supporting more sustainable growth, improved service outcomes and timely housing delivery across the West Dapto corridor. 

  • Client: North Harbour Clean Energy 

    Briar was engaged by North Harbour Clean Energy (NHCE) to provide strategic planning and social impact advice across its growing renewable energy portfolio. The focus was on formalising a practical, defensible approach to community benefit sharing that could be applied consistently across projects. 

    Using the Upper Hunter Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) as a pilot, Briar developed a Community Benefit Sharing framework grounded in policy precedent and industry practice. The framework provides a clear basis for equitable benefit sharing arrangements aligned with corporate commitments, community expectations and approvals pathways. 

    Briar also supported NHCE through workshops designed to clarify risk, align objectives and address key delivery challenges, including planning agreements and stakeholder engagement. The outcome was a scalable, replicable approach that strengthens social licence, supports negotiations and enables confident project delivery across NHCE’s pipeline. 

  • Client: The University of Sydney 

    Briar was engaged by the University of Sydney to strengthen its planning approvals approach and advocacy position, with a clear goal: reduce internal bottlenecks and improve development delivery across a complex campus environment. 

    Briar facilitated workshops to pinpoint where approvals were stalling, clarify the university’s risk settings, and align stakeholders around a single, credible “case for change”. This work created a practical advocacy roadmap and a clear engagement pathway with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI). 

    Briar then supported the preparation of a Transport and Infrastructure State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPP) submission seeking expanded Review of Environmental Factors (REF) assessment powers for tertiary institutions. The submission was grounded in practical precedent, benchmarking planning powers and assessment frameworks used by comparable state delivery agencies and focused on enabling greater flexibility in built form controls within the campus context. 

    The outcome was a stronger, more consistent approvals and advocacy position: clear messages, clearer pathways, and a well-governed framework to support ongoing engagement with the DPHI, improving the efficiency and certainty of future project delivery. 

  • Client: Homes NSW

    Briar was engaged by Homes NSW to provide strategic support to improve how housing delivery programs are procured, managed and monitored during a critical phase of organisational establishment. 

    The engagement focused on targeted improvements across procurement, governance and performance reporting. Briar supported the design of Expressions of Interest and packaged work streams aligned to strategic priorities and market capacity, informed by direct engagement with Community Housing Providers (CHP) to improve accessibility and participation. 

    In parallel, Briar developed prototype dashboards to support clearer internal reporting and undertook a rapid review of CHP engagement to identify barriers, inefficiencies and opportunities to strengthen collaboration. 

    The outcome was a set of practical, implementable tools that improved consistency, accountability and responsiveness across Homes NSW’s programs, supporting stronger delivery outcomes and more confident investment decisions. 

  • Client: Castle Group

    Briar was engaged by Castle Group to design a strategic approvals and implementation framework for a large-scale mixed-use project in Western Sydney. The work focused on securing planning certainty for early stages of development while positioning the broader site for future density, mixed-use opportunities and long-term value. 

    Briar prepared a multi-stage approvals strategy that integrated planning pathways, infrastructure coordination, stakeholder engagement and delivery sequencing into a single, practical roadmap. This included identifying risk points, mapping approval pathways, advising on infrastructure delivery approaches and highlighting opportunities for works-in-kind and value capture. 

    Targeted workshops with the client team, enabled Briar to align priorities, clarify delivery sequencing and support informed decision-making. The final framework provided a clear critical path to development consent, with flexibility to adapt to future stages, market conditions and policy settings, all of which supported investment confidence and progress toward implementation. 

  • Client: Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure via BDO

    Briar was engaged by BDO to provide expert grant assessment services for the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure’s Regional Housing Acceleration Fund (Round 3). The program supports local infrastructure projects that enable regional housing supply and align with the Government’s regional growth and development priorities. 

    Acting as independent expert panellists, Briar reviewed and scored grant applications from regional councils against published assessment criteria using the SmartyGrants platform. Each application was assessed on strategic alignment, project readiness and risk, ensuring decisions were fair, consistent and evidence-based. 

    Briar supported a rigorous, defensible, multi-stage evaluation process, including calibration sessions with other assessors to ensure consistency and probity, and the clear documentation and defence of recommendations before an executive review panel. The outcome was the allocation of $4.37 million in funding to 24 Councils, supporting timely investment in infrastructure to accelerate regional housing delivery. 

  • Client: Holcim Australia

    Briar was engaged by Holcim Australia to provide strategic project leadership and planning advice across a portfolio of complex industrial assets, including extractive industries, circular economy initiatives and concrete batching operations. The work focused on identifying investment opportunities within existing operations and establishing clear approval and delivery pathways to unlock long-term asset value.

    Working closely with Holcim’s operational and executive teams, Briar developed and tested a series of investment concepts that translated operational needs and market opportunities into structured development propositions. This included assessing site constraints, identifying value uplift opportunities and shaping staged development scenarios that aligned operational priorities with regulatory requirements and capital investment timeframes.

    Briar then designed coordinated approvals and delivery strategies across multiple sites, aligning planning pathways, environmental investigations and technical inputs into practical implementation programs. Early-stage concepts were refined into clear investment propositions and presented through internal governance processes to support endorsement and capital allocation decisions.

    Following endorsement, Briar mobilised and led multidisciplinary consultant teams, coordinated regulator engagement and progressed key approvals, including state significant development pathways where required. The approach also resolved legacy approval issues and identified lower-risk strategies that enabled early implementation of circular economy initiatives while maintaining compliance.

    The resulting program of work provided Holcim with clear pathways from concept to implementation across several complex projects, improving planning certainty, supporting confident investment decisions and positioning key industrial assets for future growth and diversification.

  • Client: Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure 

    Briar was engaged to review and streamline the Department’s internal processes and guidance for assessing state significant projects. Briar’s task was to simplify a complex system, remove duplication and create clear, practical guidance that supports consistent assessments across state significant development (SSD), state significant infrastructure (SSI) and critical SSI projects. 

    Briar designed a new approach to policy guidance and authored the state significant Projects Assessment Practice Manual, an intuitive, easy-to-navigate resource to find the information they need faster and apply requirements with confidence. 

    Working closely with the Assessment Practice team, Briar used an iterative, collaborative process with regular check-ins and staged delivery to refine content early and reduce risk. This was key due to the scope and volume of the work. Briar’s on-site presence supported strong engagement and ensured the project was delivered smoothly, on time and aligned with the Department’s needs. 

  • Client: Northern Beaches Council

    Building on previous work, Briar was engaged by Northern Beaches Council to clarify and document exempt development pathways for more than 130 common Council works under multiple State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPP), including the Transport and Infrastructure SEPP, Biodiversity and Conservation SEPP, and Resilience and Hazards SEPP. 

    The tool was designed to support Council’s updated governance arrangements by simplifying a complex and often confusing part of the planning system. It guides officers through key decision points considering both the type and location of works and clearly identifies when activities are exempt, when further checks are required, and when works no longer qualify as exempt development. 

    Written in plain English and designed for everyday use, the tool enables officers to quickly and confidently test proposed works against the legislative framework. The outcome is a consistent, defensible approach to decision-making that reduces risk, improves efficiency and maximises appropriate use of the exempt development pathway.

  • Client: Campbelltown City Council and Wollondilly Shire Council 

    Briar was engaged to support two adjoining Western Sydney Councils to strengthen their advocacy for infrastructure investment in a major Growth Area identified for significant housing delivery. The project focused on the challenge of rezoning and development outpacing infrastructure delivery and the need for a clearer, more coordinated case for timely investment. 

    Briar facilitated a joint workshop to identify shared priorities, evidence gaps and key risks, creating a common problem definition across both Councils. This was underpinned by targeted research and analysis, drawing out the implications of delayed investment across transport network performance, servicing capacity and freight efficiency. 

    The result was a practical advocacy framework that sharpened the narrative and shifted the Councils’ approach from individual, issue-specific requests to a coordinated, strategic case for investment. By linking local challenges to broader government objectives, the Councils were better positioned to engage with central agencies and influence upcoming infrastructure planning and funding processes. 

  • Client: Homes NSW 

    Briar was engaged by Homes NSW to develop a clear, design-led communication tool to accompany its forthcoming Direct Deals Guideline. The objective was to help internal teams and external partners understand when and how direct dealing may be used, while maintaining integrity, transparency and public value. 

    Briar worked closely with Homes NSW to distil complex policy and procurement requirements into a cohesive narrative that clearly explains when direct dealing may be appropriate, the types of projects eligible for consideration, the assessment process and criteria to be applied. The work balanced technical accuracy with accessibility, ensuring the guidance could be readily understood by a broad audience. 

    The outcome was a 10-page guideline and companion flyer tailored for Community Housing Providers (CHP), local councils and private proponents. The materials provided a consistent reference point for proposals, supported innovation and enabled Homes NSW to manage direct partnerships with confidence.

  • Client: Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) 

    Briar was engaged by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) to review and update the Planning Guideline for Major Infrastructure Corridors; a key policy tool guiding the protection of transport, energy and utility corridors across New South Wales. 

    Drawing on more than a decade of implementation experience, Briar assessed how corridor protection mechanisms have been applied in practice and where greater clarity and consistency were needed. The review included mapping contemporary protection tools, defining clear criteria for their use, and establishing practical processes for applying, reviewing, amending or revoking corridor protections. 

    Consultation with Transport for NSW and other state infrastructure agencies tested the updated approach against real-world delivery experience. The outcome was a fit-for-purpose, evidence-based guideline that strengthens corridor protection while remaining adaptable to evolving infrastructure priorities, technologies and delivery models. 

  • Client: Homes NSW 

    Briar prepared a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) for a state significant mixed-use project, featuring social and affordable housing, commercial space and public domain upgrades in Padstow. 

    Briar undertook extensive, detailed research and primary data collection to understand community values, local context, trends and areas of policy impact. This included mapping affected communities, identifying key social influences and designing a tailored engagement approach proportionate to the project’s scale. 

    The assessment provided clear, practical mitigation measures, risk considerations and a monitoring framework that supported both the client’s objectives and community needs. The work met best-practice SIA standards and helped shape a more informed and balanced project outcome. 

  • Client: Department of Education (Schools Infrastructure NSW) 

    Briar was engaged by the Department of Education (Schools Infrastructure NSW) to deliver a series of Review of Environmental Factors (REFs) for its ongoing capital works program. The projects included a range of upgrades and improvements across several school sites, including heritage repairs, accessibility works, minor buildings and sporting infrastructure. 

    Across the program, Briar prepared REF documentation in line with statutory requirements undertaking environmental impact assessments, regulatory consistency checks and issuing stakeholder notifications where required. The work involved coordinating technical inputs, managing approvals pathways and presenting clear documentation to support efficient decision-making. 

    All projects were delivered on time and within budget, providing the Department with confidence that works could proceed complying with planning and environmental requirements while minimising delivery risk. 

  • Client: Charles Sturt University 

    Briar was engaged by Charles Sturt University to provide strategic planning and heritage advice in response to Albury City Council’s Draft Heritage Strategy and Review which proposed listing two of the university’s buildings under the Albury Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2010. The proposed listings had potential implications for future capital works, refurbishment programs and ongoing campus management. 

    Working to tight exhibition timeframes, Briar designed and facilitated a workshop with internal property, facilities and planning teams to assess heritage significance, curtilage boundaries and statutory obligations. This process clarified risk, tested planning pathways and aligned stakeholders around a clear advocacy position. 

    Using the insights from the workshops, Briar prepared a concise, evidence-based submission to Council that acknowledged heritage values while articulating the importance of adaptive reuse, operational flexibility and proportionate regulation. The outcome ensured the University’s position was clearly represented, supported informed decision-making and provided a practical foundation for managing heritage considerations alongside future development. 

  • Client: Holcim Australia – Project directorship services

    Briar was engaged by Holcim Australia to provide project directorship, planning, environmental and due diligence services across a series of complex industrial projects, including extractive industries, circular economy initiatives and concrete batching operations. The work required deep statutory planning expertise, strong regulator relationships and the ability to manage risk across multiple approval pathways. 

    Across these projects, Briar led state significant development (SSD) approvals, scoped and managed complex environmental studies, and acted as the primary interface with regulators, councils, consultants and community stakeholders. Key tasks included resolving legacy approval issues, developing pragmatic strategies to address groundwater, air quality, noise and contamination constraints, and guiding projects through statutory approvals, including matters resolved via the Land and Environment Court. 

    Briar also supported Holcim with targeted due diligence and approval strategies, including staged and low-risk pathways, to enable early delivery of circular economy activities while managing corporate risk. Where required, bespoke technical and water strategies were developed to reduce cost exposure, improve sequencing and secure compliant, long-term outcomes. 

    Throughout the engagement, Briar operated as an extension of Holcim’s internal team providing clear advice, managing consultants and approvals processes, and supporting informed decision-making. The result was a series of successful approvals and implementable strategies that balanced operational needs, regulatory requirements and community expectations. 

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