Council members

Queensland Heritage Council current members are:

Stuart Lummis, Chair

Mr Stuart Lummis has many years’ experience as a senior executive in ASX-listed groups, government agencies and not-for-profit organisations. He has extensive expertise in managing complex property portfolios, currently as the Chief of Development and Capital Planning for Southern Cross Care Qld and formerly as the Director of Building, Planning Facilities and Property with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane, responsible for managing more than 450 properties, including 75 heritage-listed places. Mr Lummis is active on the Boards of several organisations, including Bolton Clarke (formerly RSL Care RDNS), Deaf Connect, National Trust (Australia) Queensland, Mangrove Housing Limited, Sisters of St Joseph Stewardship Council and the Brisbane Markets. He is a member of the Property Council of Queensland on its Social Infrastructure committee. Mr Lummis has a Bachelor of Economics, Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment, a Diploma in Project and Construction Management, and is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Ms Melissa Barnett is a past president of the Queensland Rural, Regional and Remote Women's Network (QRRRWN). Ms Melissa Barnett is a cattle and wine producer who manages a farmstay business on her husband’s family’s State heritage-listed property, Taabinga Station, located in the South Burnett region. Ms Barnett is a freelance journalist and holds a Bachelor of Art majoring in Art History, in addition to post graduate qualifications in Information Management, and Writing, Editing and Publishing.

David Gole

Mr David Gole is an architect with 26 years’ experience in the field of heritage conservation, adaptive reuse and contemporary additions to heritage buildings and sites. He has been engaged on major conservation projects in Queensland, interstate and internationally, including Queensland Parliament House, Norfolk Island, University of Queensland, Queens Wharf, Brisbane City Hall, Newstead House and Home (Lamb House). Mr Gole currently leads the heritage/adaptive reuse team at architecture firm Conrad Gargett.

Susan Hill

Ms Susan Hill is a Brisbane/Meanjin-based heritage practitioner and historian. She has worked in heritage conservation for more than 30 years, in both government and the private sector. Her practice encompasses the study of a broad range of places and project types, including conservation management plans, heritage assessments and surveys, research projects and publications. Much of her work is undertaken collaboratively, as part of interdisciplinary teams. Ms Hill was on the Panel of Assessors for the QHC (2004-2008) and has appeared as an expert witness in the Queensland Planning & Environment Court. She is a member of ICOMOS (the International Council on Monuments and Sites).

David Nicholls

Mr David Nicholls is the former leader of HopgoodGanim Lawyers’ Planning and Environment practice. He has extensive experience with planning and environment litigation, including heritage matters. He has been involved with many of Queensland’s significant infrastructure, residential and mixed-use projects. Mr Nicholls is past president of the Queensland Environmental Law Association, former board member and committee member and current life member of the Urban Development Institute of Australia, and the senior author of the leading text on Queensland's planning law, Planning and Development Queensland. He was recognised as a leading Planning & Development Lawyer by Doyle’s Guide, Queensland (2017-2020), Chambers Asia Pacific (2018-2020) and Best Lawyers (2017-2020). Now retired, Mr Nicholls currently consults with HopgoodGanim and Jeff Nicholls Town Planning, providing front-end strategic advice in relation to development projects.

Celmara Pocock

Professor Celmara Pocock is Director of the Centre for Heritage + Culture, and Professor of Anthropology and Heritage Studies at the University of Southern Queensland. She has extensive experience in the heritage sector, including senior government positions in the Australian Heritage Commission and Queensland Museum. She has provided expert advice to heritage bodies including UNESCO and ICOMOS, the Australian Heritage Commission, the Tasmanian Heritage Council and the Ipswich City Council. Her research on heritage assessment, cultural landscapes and social significance contributes to both heritage studies and practice, nationally and internationally.