The SCAP comprises seven members—a Presiding Member, a Deputy Presiding Member, five ordinary members, and occasional / specialist members — who are appointed by the Commission.
Collectively, the SCAP panel have qualifications and experience in strategic planning and development, local government, urban and landscape design, building safety and construction, heritage, environmental management and sustainability, and legal expertise.
Code of Conduct
SCAP members are bound by the Minister's Code of Conduct. Read about the Code and how it is applied.
Nathan Cunningham
Presiding Member
Nathan is an experienced urban and regional planner with more than 20 years’ experience across South Australia, spanning statutory planning, development delivery and strategic policy.
He is currently Chief Executive Officer of the District Council of Yankalilla and has held multiple presiding member roles on Council Assessment Panels across greater Adelaide. Nathan brings a strong focus on leadership, governance and consistent decision-making.
Nathan is a Registered Planner, a former State Committee Member of the Planning Institute of Australia, holds relevant accreditation under the SA Accredited Professional Scheme, and is a longstanding member of the Urban Development Institute of Australia.
David Altmann
Deputy Presiding Member
David is an experienced planning practitioner with more than 35 years’ experience across local government, strategic planning, development assessment, economic development, governance, training and education.
He has held senior roles including CEO, Executive Officer, Presiding Member and Director across councils, assessment panels and an Economic Development Board, and has extensive experience within South Australia’s planning system.
David is a Registered Planner and Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia and holds Level 1 and 2 accreditation under the SA Accredited Professional Scheme. He lives and works in regional South Australia.
Emma Barnes
Ordinary Member
Recognised as an Accredited Professional (Planning level 2), Emma holds bachelors degrees in science and arts and post graduate qualifications in planning. She is a member of the Planning Institute of Australia and is a director at an Adelaide -based planning firm.
Emma has over 29 years’ experience in urban and regional planning with a particular interest in development assessment, strategic and growth area planning, project management and delivery. She has held several roles within local government and the private sector in both the ACT and South Australia.
Emma has prepared, facilitated and assessed many complex and challenging development applications encompassing a wide variety of residential, commercial, industrial, community facility and infrastructure developments, including large growth areas, during and following re-zoning.
Mario Dreosti
Ordinary Member
An accomplished professional and highly regarded architect, Mario provides strategic oversight at a large Adelaide-based architecture practice across a wide range of major projects. With a strong presence in sectors such as retail, care, and multi-storey developments, he brings both practical expertise and broad industry perspective.
In addition to hands-on project involvement, Mario contributes to representative and advisory roles, offering valuable insights at all stages of project development, particularly in complex master planning scenarios.
Stuart Headland
Ordinary Member
Stuart has nearly 20 years’ experience in the property and development industry, with qualifications in urban and regional planning and project management.
Stuart is currently a director at an Adelaide-based property and development firm and has previously held senior roles with several large-scale development and planning organisations. His experience spans development management, urban design, planning approvals and strategic acquisitions.
Stuart has also served as an elected member of the City of Tea Tree Gully Council, including as a member of its Development Assessment Panel, and has held roles with other SA based boards.
Emily Nankivell
Ordinary Member
Emily is a qualified town planner and lawyer with 20 years’ experience in the planning and development sector. Her expertise includes strategic planning and code amendments, stakeholder and community engagement, and providing planning advice for a wide range of development projects.
Emily is a skilled communicator, negotiator and problem-solver, recognised for her approachable and professional manner, and is experienced in facilitating development approvals and strategic projects. She is passionate about the next generation of planners and is active in delivering education and training in this area.
Jenny Newman
Ordinary Member
Jenny is a practising architect and Accredited Professional (Planning Level 2) with more than 25 years’ experience in architecture, urban design and planning across Australia and the UK.
She is currently a Senior Associate at an Adelaide-based architecture practice and has worked on complex projects across commercial, residential, heritage, defence, aged care and education sectors in Australia, the Pacific and Europe.
Jenny has extensive experience on boards and planning panels in South Australia, including as Presiding Member of the City of Holdfast Bay Council Assessment Panel and roles with several other council panels. She has also served on the State Planning Commission’s Heritage Sub-Committee.
Her experience in urban design and contextual planning has included independent design review work and advisory roles, as well as teaching at the University of South Australia.
Mark Adcock
Occasional Member
Mark has more than 40 years’ experience in the planning industry across South Australia and interstate.
His expertise spans private sector, local and state government roles, including complex multidisciplinary projects, environmental and social impact assessment, and master planning for new and redeveloping areas.
Mark has held several senior management roles and has strong experience in statutory processes, including court and appeal proceedings. He is a Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia and a past Vice-President, and has contributed to the profession through roles with the Planning Education Foundation, Local Government Planners Association and Native Vegetation Council, as well as guest lecturing at the University of South Australia.
He is currently Presiding Member of Council Assessment Panels for the City of Tea Tree Gully and the District Council of Mount Barker, and a member of the City of Adelaide Council Assessment Panel.
Anita Allen
Occasional Member
Anita is an experienced planning professional and Associate Director at a large Adelaide-based planning firm with extensive experience in South Australia’s planning system. Her expertise spans statutory assessment, planning policy and strategic planning across complex development projects.
She has worked across a range of sectors including residential, mixed use, infrastructure and urban renewal, and has a strong understanding of the Planning and Design Code and its practical application.
In her career, Anita led and contributed to key planning reforms, including the staged introduction of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 and its supporting instruments. She brings a considered, outcomes-focused approach to planning, with an emphasis on balanced decision-making and planning merit.
John Eckert
Occasional Member
John is a qualified architect with extensive experience across architectural design and residential development in Australia.
He spent the first 15 years of his career in Adelaide-based architectural practices and a further 20 years as an in-house Design Director for major national builder-developers.
John has led the urban design of large-scale residential projects across Australia’s major cities, delivering developments comprising tens of thousands of homes.
Emma Herriman
Occasional Member
Emma is a senior lawyer specialising in planning, development, infrastructure and environmental law, with more than 20 years’ experience across the United Kingdom and Australia.
She has advised a broad range of clients including individuals, developers, landowners, industry, utilities, community groups, and local and state governments. Emma currently operates a private legal practice.
Emma has previously served as an Ordinary Member of the State Commission Assessment Panel from 2020 to 2023. She brings strong legal expertise and practical experience in navigating complex planning and development matters.
Julie Jansen
Occasional Member
Julie is an experienced town planner with more than 35 years’ experience across local government and private consultancy.
She is currently a principal consultant at a large Adelaide-based planning firm, providing strategic advice to private, local and state government clients on a wide range of development projects. She has expertise in renewable energy and strategic and regional planning, as well as strengths in strategic and policy planning, development advisory and assessment, and stakeholder engagement and facilitation.
Julie holds postgraduate qualifications in town planning and is a Registered Planner, Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia, and holds Level 1 and 2 accreditation under the SA Accredited Professional Scheme.
Catherine Orford
Occasional Member
Catherine is a planning professional with more than 20 years’ experience across local government and private consultancy in South Australia, New South Wales and New Zealand.
She has expertise in statutory and strategic planning, development assessment, code amendments and community engagement across a broad range of development projects.
Catherine is a senior associate at a large Adelaide-based planning firm, an Accredited Professional (Planning Level 2), a member of the Planning Institute of Australia, and holds an IAP2 Certificate in Engagement.
Michael Osborn
Occasional Member
Michael is a qualified town planner with more than 30 years’ experience in the planning and development sector.
He has worked across large-scale infill and greenfield developments and provides strategic, policy and statutory advice to private, local and state government clients in South Australia and interstate.
Michael has extensive experience in statutory planning, including long-standing service on the City of Mitcham Council Assessment Panel. He holds Levels 1–4 accreditation under the SA Accredited Professional Scheme and is a member of the Planning Institute of Australia and the UDIA SA Executive Council.
Greg Vincent
Occasional Member
Greg is a qualified town planner with more than 30 years’ experience across local government and private practice, with a strong record of delivering considered and practical planning outcomes across complex policy and land use matters.
He has extensive expertise in statutory development assessment, strategic planning policy, due diligence and land capability audits, community consultation, residential character analysis, and the preparation and evaluation of development plans and code amendments. He has worked across multiple Australian jurisdictions and has appeared as an expert witness before the Environment, Resources and Development Court.
Greg is a Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia and holds Levels 1–4 accreditation under the SA Accredited Professional Scheme.