PIA WA

PIA WA Statement on Respectful Engagement

Professionalism CommunityEngagement

Local government planning systems are complex. Making better land use planning decisions demands a holistic and integrated approach that considers both local and state government land use policy priorities. Despite its complexity, our land use planning system is seen as an important tool for creating connected, liveable, and sustainable communities.

This course is for local government elected members and will help them gain a better understanding of land use planning and the role of planners and elected members in decision-making. It will also provide some tools to help make better planning decisions.

Participants will receive a course planning manual and case studies to review.

Learning Outcomes
After this course, you will understand:
- The history of the WA planning system.
- An understanding of what good planning is.
- The range of planning theories and visions that guide planning practice.
- How the planning system works in WA.
- The work that local government town planners do and why.
- Common planning terms and jargon.
- Knowing the difference between advocacy and enquiry in decision making.
- The tools and lessons needed to make better decisions.

What previous attendees said about the course:
“Really great course. I have learnt a lot and highly recommend other EM’s”
“One of the best courses, I would highly recommend”
“Really enjoyed and found the whole course extremely informative”

Regional Conference Special Guest Speaker: Paralympian Sean Pollard
From Saltwater to Snow

Things took a life-changing turn in October 2014 when, on a surfing trip to Esperance in WA with his partner Claire, Sean was bitten by two sharks, one taking his left arm, the other his right hand. Somehow, Sean returned to shore where Claire and some beachgoers kept him alive until he could be taken to hospital in Perth, where he underwent major surgery.

Sean returned home to Bunbury after about six weeks and continued extensive therapy, including physiotherapy to return full functionality to his legs, which had suffered deep lacerations during the incident.

Sean tried to return to surfing, but soon discovered a love for snowboarding, putting him on a new and exciting pathway.

On a trip to Canada, the formerly keen surfer showed immediate affinity for snowboarding. He “bumped into” the Canadian Para snowboard coach during the trip, who encouraged him to investigate competing in Australia. Sean emailed Paralympics Australia and within a few weeks was at a training camp at Perisher.

Sean’s progress was swift. In his first international season, he secured encouraging results in snowboard cross and banked slalom and was included in the Australian Paralympic Team for the 2018 Games in PyeongChang. There, he came fifth in the banked slalom and ninth in snowboard cross.

More recently, Sean captained one of Australia’s biggest Paralympic teams for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Games.

Join us for an inspiring session that will leave you motivated both personally and professionally.

PIA WA Regional Conference | City of Bunbury
17 - 19 June 2026

Wednesday, 17 June | Study Tours + Pre-Conference Networking

Thursday, 18 June | WPN WA Breakfast + Regional Conference

Friday, 19 June | WAPC Focus Forum

Please follow the link in our bio above

Thank you to our event sponsors .wa WAPC, Rise Urban, CLE Town Planning + Design, Harley Dykstra