A global leader in city planning, sustainability and urban strategy, Dy brings deep national and international experience shaped by decades of high-impact work with cities around the world. As a Member of the Order of Australia, Dy was honoured for her significant contributions to strategic urban development and town planning. She is also the Co-Chair of UN Habitat’s Stakeholder Advisory Group, Past President of the Commonwealth Association of Planners, and a former member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Cities of Tomorrow. Dy loves helping cities of all sizes reach their potential.

Dy has been at the forefront of Brisbane 2032 since the beginning – attending the Beijing and Paris Games as part of official observer programs – and brings world-leading insights into how cities can maximise the once-in-a-generation legacy of major events. Her expertise helps Host Cities and commercial partners turn aspiration into action. Dy’s other focus is in helping cities achieve the global Sustainable Development Goals and hosting sustainable events.   

Experience highlights

• Held various leadership roles including National President of the Planning Institute of Australia, President of the Commonwealth Association of Planners, member of the Australian Federal Government’s National Housing Supply Council, member of the World Economic forum Global Future Council on Cities of Tomorrow, Project Control Group member for City of Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Delivery, and United Nations Habitat III Policy Unit Expert Member.
• Led Brisbane City Council’s inputs into the successful bid to Host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games as Executive General Manager Brisbane 2032 Host City & Strategic Partnerships, as well as broader Games planning and the city’s Games Legacy strategy and implementation projects, in collaboration with the IOC, UN Habitat, Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee and Games Delivery Partners.
• Led preparation of cutting-edge documentation for the UN Habitat Sustainable Development Goals Cities program submissions and IOC/UNH Healthy Active Cities project, which enabled Brisbane to be the first city in Australia to receive accreditation under the SDG Cities project in 2022 and became the second city in the world to be recognised with Gold accreditation in 2023.
• Responsible for the strategic planning, urban renewal, urban design, infrastructure planning and economic development for the City of Brisbane, the largest local authority in Australia, as the inaugural Chief Planner.
• Led the Plan Your Brisbane community engagement project, the largest local government community engagement exercise in Australia, which won multiple awards at State, National and International levels and involved direct interactions with more than 277,000 people, inputs from 1 in 5 households and every demographic in the city, and innovative gamification technology.
• Worked as Director of Planning and Environment at the City of Gold Coast, Australia’s second largest local authority and sixth largest city, with leadership of approximately 450 staff covering all aspects of strategic planning and development assessment. In her role, Dy was a member of the Executive Leadership Team and led finalisation of Qld Government/Council negotiations and successful commencement of City Plan, delivery of a draft LGIP endorsed by Council, and Council adoption of Our Natural City Strategy.
• Led the Planning and Environment team at Southern Downs Regional Council and the consultation process for the draft Planning Scheme.