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Natural Hazards Risk and Resilience - Urban Policy and Planning - Adaptation for Climate Change - Flood Risk Management Experts - Community Resilience - Project Pathways and Approvals - Disaster Risk Reduction - Risk-Based Strategic Planning - Disaster Adaptation Planning 

About

UPRS - Urban Places, Regional Spaces Pty Ltd are a boutique consultancy focussed on partnering with our clients to deliver tailored strategic advice and technical guidance across the full spectrum of public policy to site-specific solutions.

 

We are specialists in flood risk management, natural hazards risk reduction, climate adaptation, community resilience and environmental approvals.

 

The UPRS team has worked throughout Australia and internationally in delivering targeted advice and innovative solutions in the field of natural hazards. Our work in New South Wales and Queensland is changing the landscape on how we better prevent, plan for, respond to and recovery from natural hazard risk and disaster.

Our Expertise

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Resilience and Adaptation 

  • Strategic Advisory, Policy Formulation and Planning

  • Floodplain Management

  • Flood Emergency Management Plans

  • Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategies

  • Natural Hazard Risk Assessment and Risk Reduction

  • Feasible Alternative Assessments

  • Risk-Based Land Use Planning

  • Adaptation Strategies, Implementation and Planning 

  • Post-Disaster Evaluations and Insurance Reporting

  • Flood Studies and Flood Impact Analysis

  • Community Resilience Initiatives​ 

  • Local Resilience Action Plans​

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Urban Policy and Development 

  • Strategic Land Use Planning

  • Policy Development and Implementation

  • Growth Management Plans and Strategies

  • Land Use Strategies

  • Planning Scheme Reviews, Drafting and Amendments

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Engagement and Education

  • ​Education and Training for Natural Hazards

  • Disaster Management Training

  • Nature Based Solutions for Coastal Adaptation​

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Technical & Expert Witness

  • Planning Expert Witness​​​

  • Flood Risk Expert Witness

  • Peer Review

  • Interpretation of Legislation ​and Obligations​​​

Our Team

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Nicole Prentice

Nicole Prentice, Director of UPRS, has over 20 years experience as a planner and project manager. She is a registered planner focussing on the policies, provisions and permits for natural hazard risks and disasters, building resilient communities through planning policy, and developing policies, plans and frameworks to better inform and equip local governments on adaptation and mitigation measures for climate change.

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Nicole has experience across a variety of strategic and statutory planning projects, both in the private and public sectors. She is a technical expert and has all-encompassing knowledge of the legislation, regulations, policies and procedures that govern planning, the environment and climate change. 

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​Nicole is a Registered Planner and on the Policy and Advocacy Committee with the Planning Institute of Australia, member of Queensland Environmental Law Association (QELA), and member of Floodplain Management Australia.

 

For more information contact Nicole at nicole@uprs.com.au or connect on LinkedIn.

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William Prentice

William Prentice, Director of UPRS, is a chartered engineer and internationally experienced natural hazards risk manager with a track record of implementing high-benefit, sustainable flood risk management outcomes.

He has a passion for improving flood resilience and is a specialist in translating engineering and scientific data into simple information for technical and non-technical audiences.

William is a trusted professional in the prevention, preparedness, response and recovery of flooding events; management of flood risk and enhancing resilience. He is a two-time recipient of the National Emergency Medal a member of Engineers Australia's Queensland Water Panel and an Executive Committee Member (Technical Director) with Floodplain Management Australia.

With over 15 years’ experience in the private and public sectors, William has extensive experience ranging from technical specialist to executive management. He has a strong business and political acumen and has based his career on evidence-based decision making, outstanding communication skills, strong leadership and strategic thinking.

 

For more information contact Will at william@uprs.com.au or connect on LinkedIn.

Project Experience

Resilience and Adaptation 

  • Inundation Risk Project Register and Roadmap, Fraser Coast Regional Council

  • Shoreline Erosion Management Plan, v2, Sunshine Coast Council​

  • Storm Tide Inundation - Building Assessment Provisions, Sunshine Coast Council

  • Building Resilient Communities – Understanding hazards and land use planning – Recommendations for Degarra, Douglas Shire Council

  • Local Action Resilience Plan, Fraser Coast Regional Council​​​​

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Urban Policy and Development 

  • Planning Scheme Scoping Study for Cairns Regional Council

  • Flood Hazard Overlay Code Review & Recommendations, Logan City Council 

  • Cultural Heritage & Native Title Obligations Policy & Procedure, Logan City Council

  • Overland Flow Path Planning Scheme Amendment & Recommendations for Toowoomba Regional Council

  • Open Space & Recreation Facilities Analysis, Logan City Council

  • Land Acquisition Policy for Open Space & Recreation Purposes, Logan City Council

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Engagement and Education

  • ​Education and Training for Natural Hazards

  • Nature Based Solutions for Coastal Adaptation delivered to Council's throughout Queensland in partnership with JBPacific​

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Technical & Expert Witness

  • Peer Reviewer and Technical Advisory for the Queensland Reconstruction Authority

  • Expert Witness in Planning and Environment Court, Queensland

  • Expert witness in Land and Environment Court, New South Wales

  • Peer Review of the Towards 2050: Shaping Cairns Growth Strategy for Cairns Regional Council

Flood Risk Management

  • North Burnett Community Action Plan in partnership with Synergy Solutions

  • Multiple Flood Risk Assessments and FEMPs for Department of Education (Qld) with JDA Co.

  • Multiple whole-of-LGA and site specific FRMS, FRMP and FIRA

  • Multiple FEMPs and FERPs for large-scale and small-scale residential, industrial, commercial and community facilities

  • Multiple Flood Studies (hydrological and hydraulic), Flood Impact Assessments and Drainage Investigations​​​​

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Environmental Approvals 

  • Emergency Works Approvals for Coastal Erosion, Redland City Council

  • Beach Nourishment Approvals for Hinchinbrook Shire Council, City of Moreton Bay and Redland City Council

  • Living Shoreline Pilot Projects at Wellington Point and Cleveland, Redland City Council

  • North Currumbin Training Wall Renewal - Permit & Approvals Strategy for City of Gold Coast Council

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​​​Asset Reviews and Strategies

  • LGA-wide Land Audits, Fraser Coast Regional Council

  • Tidal Stormwater Asset Maintenance Procedure/Framework, City of Moreton Bay Council

  • LGIPv2 - Stormwater Infrastructure Network, Logan City Council 

  • LGIP review 2016 & 2017, Logan City Council 

  • Emerging Community Infrastructure Planning for Logan

  • Stormwater & Overland Management Assessment & Strategy for Logan City Council

  • Service Delivery Model Report and Recommendations, Logan City Council

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Contact us

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