Bill has a background in land surveying and valuation (licensed surveyor) with the Lands Department NSW where he was awarded the Harvey Prize for Town Planning. He Joined Russell Taylor in October 1969 with additional qualifications in Town Planning (Sydney University) and Civic Design (NSW University) and formed Taylor McMullen Cotterell Burrell. The West had all the key attractions for young, if a little serious, town planners because it had one of the best town and regional planning systems in the world. In 1973, Russell and Bill created the firm of Taylor and Burrell, and continued their leading work in urban and regional planning throughout Australia and overseas.

Over the past 40 years Bill has pursued well resolved urban design outcomes working with teams of skilled professionals both within the practice and from like-minded specialist firms. Recognised across Australia as one of the country’s preeminent planning and design practitioners, Bill has always challenged the norms to effect improved layouts that are site responsive, innovative and deliver a reasonable balance between public and private equity.