Nine community representatives have been selected to help guide the future planning and development of Western Australia’s unique wine, tourism and horticultural region.
Following gazettal of new Swan Valley Planning Act 2020 (the Act) earlier this year, membership of the inaugural Swan Valley Statutory Planning Committee and Strategic Leadership Group have been confirmed.
Local residents and business owners Justin Rogan and John Rex will join Councillor Charlie Zannino as the local government representative and expert planning professionals to form the new subcommittee of the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC).
The Committee will be chaired by WAPC Chairman David Caddy with professional members to include Kym Davis, Marion Thompson, Leonard Kosova, Lino Iacomella and Nina Lyhne, and will have delegation to determine development applications, subdivision proposals and structure plans within the Swan Valley region.
Another seven local residents have been selected to form the new Swan Valley Strategic Leadership Group following a successful Expression of Interest process.
The group will advise and support the Minister for Planning on matters relating to the protection, promotion, marketing and enhancement of the region.
Led by viticulturalist, business owner and third generation Swan Valley resident, Graeme Yukich, the group includes a mix of local residents and business owners with varying interests such as grape growing, wine making, horticulture ventures, tourism and cultural heritage.
The variety of members’ interests across the Strategic Leadership Group will ensure that the unique character and rural setting of the Swan Valley region is protected, and that future land uses complement the role of the Swan Valley as one of WA’s most popular visitor destinations.
For more information about the new planning framework for the Swan Valley, including the Swan Valley Planning Act 2020, visit https://www.wa.gov.au/swan-valley-planning
As stated by Planning Minister Rita Saffioti:
“Over a number of years, we have worked with the Swan Valley community to develop a robust planning framework for the region that will protect the unique character and rural setting and maximise new opportunities.
“It is important to continue that level of community involvement as we implement this new framework and I am very pleased with the high level of interest in these roles, and the high calibre of members appointed to the positions.
“We have a strong balance of long-term and emerging business interests, local knowledge, industry expertise and passion for the Swan Valley region to guide sound decision-making, resulting in good development outcomes and building on the strong reputation of the Swan Valley region as a premier tourist destination.”
SWAN VALLEY STATUTORY PLANNING COMMITTEE
David Caddy
With more than 40 years of professional planning and leadership experience, Mr Caddy is the current Chairperson of the Western Australian Planning Commission.
Kym Davis
A registered planner, Ms Davis is a current member of the WAPC’s Statutory Planning Committee with extensive experience administering local and State planning matters.
Marion Thompson
Ms Thompson is a well-respected planning professional, providing urban planning consultancy services to State and local governments and currently serving as a member of the WAPC’s Statutory Planning Committee.
Leonard Kosova
With experience in executive roles across local government, Mr Kosova is a qualified urban planner and current member of the WAPC’s Statutory Planning Committee and Executive, Finance and Property Committee.
Lino Iacomella
With a background in economics, Mr Iacomella has served on a number of Government and industry committees to guide future planning projects and is currently serving as a member of the WAPC’s Statutory Planning Committee.
Nina Lyhne
Former Managing Director of the Department of Transport, Ms Lyhne is a Swan Valley resident and a current member of the WAPC’s Statutory Planning Committee.
Justin Rogan
Co-owner of the popular family venue, The Henley Brook, Mr Rogan is a strong representative of the Swan Valley business community and has a wealth of experience working across the hospitality sector.
John Rex
Mr Rex is a grape grower, orchardist, and manager of a local business executive. He also is the current Chair of the Swan Valley Tourism Alliance, representing the tourism interests across the Swan Valley region.
Councillor Charlie Zannino
Former City of Swan Mayor and current Councillor, Mr Zannino is a small business owner with a long-term family history of grape growing in the Swan Valley region.
SWAN VALLEY STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP GROUP
Graeme Yukich (Presiding Member)
Mr Yukich is Chairman of the Y-Group, a leading Western Australian food and wine company, and is a third generation Swan Valley resident, grape grower and wine maker.
Allyson Kundid
A local vineyard owner and experienced viticulturalist, Ms Kundid is a committee member of the Swan Valley Tourism Alliance.
Paula Sothern
An orchardist and owner of Baudin’s Macadamias, Ms Sothern has more than 40 years working in State and Local government with a strong background in integrated transport planning.
Karl Millard
A Swan Valley resident and experienced business development manager, Mr Millard has a strong background in Indigenous tourism operations and ventures.
Susanna Sorgiovanni
Experienced viticulturalist, vineyard owner and long-term resident of the region, Ms Sorgiovanni is a committee member of Swan Valley Tourism Alliance.
Keith Vuleta
An experienced accountant and local business owner, Mr Veluta was a member of the previous Swan Valley Planning Committee.
Hayley Saunders
Ms Saunders is a Swan Valley resident and business owner.
