Principal Planner

About the role

The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley is looking for an experienced Principal Planner to join its Planning and Regulatory Services Team in Kununurra, reporting to the Manager Planning and Regulatory Services. The role provides senior professional and technical leadership across the Shire's planning functions, overseeing statutory planning, strategic planning and the day-to-day delivery of a high-quality planning service across Kununurra, Wyndham and the broader East Kimberley.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the administration of the Local Planning Scheme and land use planning functions in line with legislation, policies and delegations.
• Oversee assessment of development applications, including complex and significant proposals, as well as subdivision and strata title applications.
• Provide authoritative advice on statutory planning, development assessment and land use to the Manager, Executive Leadership Team, Council, staff, government agencies, developers and the community.
• Prepare reports, recommendations and correspondence for Council and stakeholders on development, subdivision, rezoning and other planning matters.
• Advise on complex regional planning matters involving Crown land, State agencies, major infrastructure, tourism and rural land uses.
• Coordinate and prioritise the daily planning workload, monitor statutory timeframes and ensure efficient progress.
• Review planning assessments, reports and correspondence prepared by planning officers for quality, consistency and compliance.
• Ensure consistent interpretation of the Local Planning Scheme, planning legislation, the State Planning Framework and Council policies.
• Support the development of the strategic land use planning program, including local planning schemes, amendments, structure plans, local development plans and policies.
• Contribute to strategic planning for growth, tourism, infrastructure, townsite development and land supply.
• Lead the development of planning policies, procedures and guidelines, and undertake research and analysis to inform planning decisions.
• Mentor and coach planning staff, manage planning consultants and represent the Shire in technical discussions with State agencies, proponents and consultants.
• Monitor workloads, service performance, risks and resourcing, and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Required profile

• Tertiary qualification in town planning, urban studies or a similar discipline.
• Substantial professional experience in statutory and strategic town planning (typically five or more years).
• Demonstrated senior-level experience in local government or an equivalent complex regulatory environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading a planning team, managing complex matters and competing statutory workloads, and preparing detailed planning reports.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, conflict resolution, decision-making, organisational and customer service skills.
• Current unrestricted WA driver licence and acceptable National Police Clearance.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary regulatory services teams and membership or eligibility for the Planning Institute of Australia are highly regarded.

What we offer

• Annual salary up to $130,000 - $139,999.
• Subsidised housing available.
• 6 weeks annual leave, 11 public holidays plus 2 Local Government Days per year.
• 12% employer superannuation, with the Shire matching up to an additional 5% in co-contributions.
• Salary packaging for motor vehicles, rent or mortgage interest expenses.
• Flexible working arrangements and shire-provided corporate uniforms.
• Professional development and health and wellbeing programs, including free membership to the Kununurra Leisure Centre and Wyndham Pool.