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Principal Planner

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 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 STACR; 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.

Responsibilities

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, career 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 stakeholder

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