Senior sector figures slam new hire Emma Cole to WA Planning Commission $350k chair gig

A dozen senior WA planning figures with decades of experience have lambasted the appointment of a new chair to the State’s governing board — penning a letter questioning her eligibility for the role. The elevation of former inner-city mayor Emma Cole to the $350,000 per annum gig earlier this month has raised eyebrows in planning circles who claim a string of more experienced candidates were overlooked. Commission decisions determine how WA neighbourhoods look and function by working alongside State and local government to review and develop a system, policies and plans. In the letter to Planning Minister John Carey, obtained by The Sunday Times, the group claim her qualifications and experience don’t meet requirements set out in the governing Act. Leading planning practitioners, lawyers and university professors are among those who have signed the grievance. They include Denis McLeod AM — who is considered by some as a grandfather of WA planning with almost 50 years’ experience and awarded an Order of Australia. Ms Cole was deputy chair and local government member for the commission prior to her elevation but only graduated with a Master of Urban and Regional Planning in mid-2024. It’s understood there are dozens more planning professions beyond the signatories who have questioned the hiring process but have remained anonymous, citing “potential professional implications”. “The Chair-elect, while no doubt possessing a number of positive qualities, does not, and cannot satisfy the requirement set down by the Parliament of extensive experience and expertise in the field of urban and regional planning,” the letter stated. “We invite you to explain why — in a field of four other applicants with between 20 and 40-years post-qualification experience and expertise in the field of urban and regional planning — that the decision was made to appoint a recent planning graduate? There is no evidence of any expertise or experience beyond the narrow interface of local government Council, Development Assessment Panel, and Commission appointments.” The group have called for the Minister to publicly explain how Ms Cole meets the criteria. Ms Cole on Saturday defended her qualifications saying in a statement provided by the Department of Planning, that she had a “wealth of experience” through her planning positions and decade-long local government background. “Across more than four years of active service on the Western Australian Planning Commission, most recently as Deputy Chair, and 10 years in local government, including my time as City of Vincent Mayor, I have acquired a wealth of experience in statutory and strategic planning and development decision-making at both a local and statewide level,” she stated. “With four years on other Government Boards — including as Chair of the State Emergency Management Committee — I also bring experience in chairing complex and public meetings, ensuring good governance, and leading reform. “I understand that there will be scrutiny with public roles and I respect there can be a diversity of opinion. Whilst I do not agree with some opinions, my focus is on continuing to work collaboratively with all stakeholders across the planning sector, state and local government and the development industry.” Ms Cole said she was “a full member of the Planning Institute of Australia . . . based on my previous qualifications and career experience” and had the backing of outgoing chair David Caddy. She was appointed after Mr Caddy retired and will take on a four-year term from January 1. Mr Caddy had more than 40 years of planning experience in the public and private sector when he was appointed in 2018. He served after predecessors Eric Lumsden, Gary Prattley and Jeremy Dawkins who all held more than 40 years’ experience in planning prior to being name chair. In an email response to the grievance raised within PIA members on December 13, Mr Caddy described the group’s complaint as an “horrific attack” and as “the most gutless exercises in planner bashing that I have witnessed in recent years”. Some planning professionals are, however, understood to be so disgruntled by the move, they’re considering a Supreme Court challenge. Shadow Planning Minister Neil Thompson called on Premier Roger Cook to suspend the appointment of the WAPC chair subject to an independent review by the Public Sector Commissioner.” The rumbling within the planning circles comes after the State Government made amendments to the legislation earlier this year which imposed a particular set of criteria for appointment of the Chair. Mr Carey had spruiked Ms Cole’s as having “extensive planning and leadership credentials and experience” when he announced the appointment on December 13. He doubled down on his support when asked on Friday whether a fair and adequate process was undertaken — accusing those who have spoken out as being vindictive. “This campaign against Ms Cole is being led by a very small group within the sector,” Mr Carey said. “Ms Cole has extensive leadership and planning experience and credentials, including most recently serving as Deputy Chair of the WAPC, and as chair of the State Emergency Management Committee.” Mr Carey added that Ms Cole held “resounding support” from the commission itself and outgoing chair, as well as the public endorsement of WA Planning Institute of Australia, UDIA WA, and Property Council WA. It will mark the first time a woman has held the role. The grievance has been raised, however, by both men and women including respected PIA life fellows Marion Thompson and Jenny Smithson, as well as fellow Belinda Moharich. Both Ms Cole and Mr Carey were previously Vincent mayors, with the Minister supporting her bid to replace him when he transferred to State Government. Ms Cole announced in July 2024 she would stand down as mayor at the end of her term in October.