Applications Close (AWST): 08:00 AM 02/11/2026
Salary up to: $130,000 - $139,999
Occupation: Policy/Planning/Research
Work Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Kununurra - Remote WA
As an Equal OpportunityEmployer, the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley values inclusivityand promotes a workplace that actively seeks to welcomecontributions from all people. We encourage people of allabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, diversecultures and backgrounds, people who identify as LGBTQIA+ and allage groups to apply.
TheOrganisation
The Shire of Wyndham EastKimberley (SWEK) believes that providing a safe and healthyworkplace for our employees is extremely important. We arecommitted to employing people who share the SWEK Valuesof
S
afety,
T
eamwork,
A
ccountability,
C
ommunication,and
R
espect; these Values are incorporatedinto all aspects of employment at SWEK.
The East Kimberley
The East Kimberley is a stunning andsparsely populated area in the northeast corner of WesternAustralia and is known as one of the world's last wildernessfrontiers. As a global tourism attraction, it is also known for itspristine kaleidoscope of colour, outback adventures, world-classfishing, excellent caravan parks, luxury accommodation options,great food, and friendly locals. It is an amazing and very uniquepart of Australia. The East Kimberley is diverse in many ways, witha unique mix of cultures, lifestyles, and abundantopportunities.
We are looking for anexperienced and motivated
Principal Planner
tojoin our Planning and Regulatory Services Team in Kununurra.Reporting to the Manager Planning and Regulatory Services, thePrincipal Planner will provide senior qualified and technicalleadership across the Shire's planning functions, overseeingstatutory planning, strategic planning and the day-to-day deliveryof a high-quality, responsive planning service.
This is a key seniorplanning role responsible for managing complex planning matters,providing authoritative professional advice and supporting thedelivery of planning outcomes across Kununurra, Wyndham and thebroader East Kimberley. Your responsibilities willinclude:
Leadingthe administration of the Shire's Local Planning Scheme andland use planning functions in accordance with relevantlegislation, policies and delegations;
Overseeing theassessment of development applications, including complex andsignificant proposals, as well as subdivision and strata titleapplications;
Providing authoritativeprofessional advice on statutory planning, developmentassessment and land use matters to the Manager, ExecutiveLeadership Team, Council, Shire staff,



government agencies,developers and the community;
Preparing reports,recommendations and correspondence for Council and externalstakeholders on development, subdivision, rezoning and otherplanning matters;
Providing advice oncomplex regional planning matters involving Crown land, StateGovernment agencies, major infrastructure, tourism, rural landuses and other significant development proposals;
Coordinating andprioritising the day-to-day planning workload, monitoringstatutory timeframes and ensuring planning matters areprogressed efficiently and to a high professionalstandard;
Reviewing planningassessments, reports, recommendations and correspondenceprepared by planning officers to ensure quality, consistencyand compliance;
Ensuringconsistent interpretation and application of the Local PlanningScheme, planning legislation, the State Planning Framework andCouncil policies across the planning team;
Supporting thedevelopment and implementation of the Shire's strategic landuse planning program, including local planning strategies,local planning schemes, scheme amendments, structure plans,local development plans and local planningpolicies;
Contributing tostrategic planning for growth, tourism, infrastructure,townsite development, land supply and other regional prioritiesaffecting Kununurra, Wyndham and the broader EastKimberley;
Leadingthe development, review and implementation of planningpolicies, procedures and guidelines;
Undertaking andoverseeing research and analysis to inform strategic land useplanning decisions and outcomes;
Providing professionaland operational leadership to planning staff, includingmentoring, coaching, professional development and knowledgesharing;
Fostering acollaborative, accountable, solutions-focused andhigh-performing team culture;
Managingplanning consultants and representing the Shire in technicalplanning discussions with State Government agencies,proponents, consultants and other stakeholders;
Monitoring workloads,service performance, emerging issues, risks and resourcingrequirements and contributing to continuous improvementinitiatives; and
Buildingand maintaining effective relationships with internal andexternal stakeholders to achieve Shire objectives and resolvecomplex planning matters.
You will need a




tertiary qualification in town planning, urban studies or asimilar discipline
, substantial professional experience instatutory and strategic town planning (typically five or moreyears), and demonstrated senior-level experience in localgovernment or an equivalent complex regulatory environment. Acurrent unrestricted WA Driver Licence and acceptable NationalPolice Clearance are also essential.
You will also needdemonstrated experience providing technical leadership to aplanning team, managing complex planning matters and competingstatutory workloads, interpreting and applying planning legislationand policy, and preparing detailed planning reports andcorrespondence. Excellent communication, negotiation, conflictresolution, decision-making, organisational and customer serviceskills are essential.
Previous experience managingmultidisciplinary regulatory services teams and membership oreligibility for membership of the Planning Institute of Australiawill be highly regarded.
This is an excitingopportunity to play a key role in shaping planning outcomes acrossthe East Kimberley while working within a diverse and evolvingregional community.
Moreinformation about the position and the requirements are availablein the
Position Description
at the bottom of thispage.
Salary and benefits
Working for SWEK means that in additionto the competitive annualsalary range indicated at the top of this page, you may also enjoya range of benefits including:
Subsidised housingavailiable
6 weeks annualleave
12%employer superannuation, with the Shire offering to match up toanadditional 5%in co-contributions when theemployee contributes an equivalent amount
Salarypackaging opportunities for motor vehicles, rent or mortgageinterest expenses
11public holidays with 2 additional 'Local Government Days' peryear
Flexibleworking arrangements
Shireprovided corporate uniforms
Avariety of health and wellbeing programs including freemembership to the Kununurra Leisure Centre and Wyndham Pool,free health assessments, mental health programs and EmployeeAssistance Provider (EAP) services
Please notethat, where applicable, benefits will be applied pro-rata tocasual, part-time and maximum-term roles.
Applicants must belegally entitled to work in Australia and will be required toprovide evidence of this entitlement — acceptable evidenceincludes an Australian or New Zealand passport, birth certificate,or foreign passport with a relevant visa. Applicants will also berequired to provide a National Police Clearance beforetheinterview stage of the recruitmentprocess.
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📌 Principal Planner (Kununurra)
🏢 Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley
📍 Kununurra