Hatch integrates economic team for projects across Australia

Hatch has further strengthened its Australian capabilities and services by welcoming industry leaders and economists to its Urban Solutions team. The team, comprising Jason McFarlane, Giles Tuffin, Nikki Harvey and Chris Massey, will work to provide Hatch’s clients with expertise in town planning, urban design, regional development, infrastructure, Indigenous development, mining and energy projects. They will collaborate with Hatch’s global network of economic consultants to bring economic models and frameworks to clients.

McFarlane, former FAR Lane Managing Director, said the decision to move the FAR Lane team to Hatch recognises the need to help clients support local economic development with their projects, as economic impact analysis is now an essential component of urban planning projects.

McFarlane is Chair of Economic Development Australia and sits on the Western Australian Advisory Board for the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal.

“Along with Hatch’s Urban Solutions services and expertise, we will be able to offer economic services that fully support communities, organisations and agencies to realise real progress towards being more prosperous, sustainable and equitable,” McFarlane said.

FAR Lane and Hatch have partnered on many projects for more than 8 years and have established strong industry relationships. McFarlane and his team will be working on a range of projects upon transitioning to Hatch, including the Future of Fremantle Economic Development Strategy and Land Use Plan, and the QEII Medical Centre and University of Western Australia (QEII-UWA) Economic Development Strategy, both for the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage.

“We are excited that as Hatch we will now be able to offer to all our clients an integrated suite of services covering economics, planning, urban design, placemaking and engagement,” said Ryan Darby, Hatch’s Regional Director, Urban Solutions Australia-Asia. “Together, we are excited that we are able to offer a unique combination of Hatch’s global economics and Urban Solutions capabilities which with our combined skills in Australia introduce cutting-edge and contemporary thinking to Australian urban and regional planning and development.”

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