As an Equal Opportunity Employer, the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley values inclusivity and promotes a workplace that actively seeks to welcome contributions from all people. We encourage people of all abilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, diverse cultures and backgrounds, people who identify as LGBTQIA+ and all age groups to apply.

The Organisation
The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley (SWEK) believes that providing a safe and healthy workplace for our employees is extremely important. We are committed to employing people who share the SWEK Values of Safety, Teamwork, Accountability, Communication, and Respect; these Values are incorporated into all aspects of employment at SWEK.

The East Kimberley
The East Kimberley is a stunning and sparsely populated area in the northeast corner of Western Australia and is known as one of the world's last wilderness frontiers. As a global tourism attraction, it is also known for its pristine kaleidoscope of colour, outback adventures, world-class fishing, excellent caravan parks, luxury accommodation options, great food, and friendly locals. It is an amazing and very unique part of Australia. The East Kimberley is diverse in many ways, with a unique mix of cultures, lifestyles, and abundant opportunities.

The Prospect

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Principal Planner to join our Planning and Regulatory Services Team in Kununurra. Reporting to the Manager Planning and Regulatory Services, the Principal Planner will provide 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, responsive planning service.

This is a key senior planning role responsible for managing complex planning matters, providing authoritative professional advice and supporting the delivery of planning outcomes across Kununurra, Wyndham and the broader East Kimberley. Your responsibilities will include:

- Leading the administration of the Shire’s Local Planning Scheme and land use planning functions in accordance with relevant legislation, policies and delegations;
- Overseeing the assessment of development applications, including complex and significant proposals, as well as subdivision and strata title applications;
- Providing authoritative professional advice on statutory planning, development assessment and land use matters to the Manager, Executive Leadership Team, Council, Shire staff, government agencies, developers and the community;
- Preparing reports, recommendations and correspondence for Council and external stakeholders on development, subdivision, rezoning and other planning matters;
- Providing advice on complex regional planning matters involving Crown land,



State Government agencies, major infrastructure, tourism, rural land uses and other significant development proposals;
- Coordinating and prioritising the day-to-day planning workload, monitoring statutory timeframes and ensuring planning matters are progressed efficiently and to a high professional standard;
- Reviewing planning assessments, reports, recommendations and correspondence prepared by planning officers to ensure quality, consistency and compliance;
- Ensuring consistent interpretation and application of the Local Planning Scheme, planning legislation, the State Planning Framework and Council policies across the planning team;
- Supporting the development and implementation of the Shire’s strategic land use planning program, including local planning strategies, local planning schemes, scheme amendments, structure plans, local development plans and local planning policies;
- Contributing to strategic planning for growth, tourism, infrastructure, townsite development, land supply and other regional priorities affecting Kununurra, Wyndham and the broader East Kimberley;
- Leading the development, review and implementation of planning policies, procedures and guidelines;
- Undertaking and overseeing research and analysis to inform strategic land use planning decisions and outcomes;
- Providing professional and operational leadership to planning staff, including mentoring, coaching, professional development and knowledge sharing;
- Fostering a collaborative, accountable, solutions-focused and high-performing team culture;
- Managing planning consultants and representing the Shire in technical planning discussions with State Government agencies, proponents, consultants and other stakeholders;
- Monitoring workloads, service performance, emerging issues, risks and resourcing requirements and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives; and
- Building and maintaining effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders to achieve Shire objectives and resolve complex planning matters.

You will need a 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), and demonstrated senior-level experience in local government or an equivalent complex regulatory environment.



A current unrestricted WA Driver Licence and acceptable National Police Clearance are also essential.

You will also need demonstrated experience providing technical leadership to a planning team, managing complex planning matters and competing statutory workloads, interpreting and applying planning legislation and policy, and preparing detailed planning reports and correspondence. Excellent communication, negotiation, conflict resolution, decision-making, organisational and customer service skills are essential.

Previous experience managing multidisciplinary regulatory services teams and membership or eligibility for membership of the Planning Institute of Australia will be highly regarded.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping planning outcomes across the East Kimberley while working within a diverse and evolving regional community.

More information about the position and the requirements are available in the Position Description at the bottom of this page.

Salary and Benefits
Working for SWEK means that in addition to the competitive annual salary range indicated at the top of this page, you may also enjoy a range of benefits including:

- Subsidised housing availiable
- 6 weeks annual leave
- 12% employer superannuation, with the Shire offering to match up to an additional 5% in co-contributions when the employee contributes an equivalent amount
- Salary packaging opportunities for motor vehicles, rent or mortgage interest expenses
- 11 public holidays with 2 additional 'Local Government Days' per year
- Flexible working arrangements
- Shire provided corporate uniforms
- Opportunities for professional development
- A variety of health and wellbeing programs including free membership to the Kununurra Leisure Centre and Wyndham Pool, free health assessments, mental health programs and Employee Assistance Provider (EAP) services

Please note that, where applicable, benefits will be applied pro-rata to casual, part-time and maximum-term roles.

APPLY NOW!
If you are ready to be part of our diversely talented team and to build your future with an organisation that makes an impact, improves lives and inspires others please click the ‘Apply’ button at the bottom of this page or contact Katherine Gilpin our Manager, Regulatory Services at ••••@swek.wa.gov.au for a confidential discussion.

Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Australia and will be required to provide evidence of this entitlement — acceptable evidence includes an Australian or New Zealand passport, birth certificate, or foreign passport with a relevant visa. Applicants will also be required to provide a National Police Clearance before the interview stage of the recruitment process.

📌 Principal Planner (Kununurra)
🏢 Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley
📍 Kununurra