Director appointed to lead Baw Baw Shire's Planning and Development

Published on 23 November 2020

Baw Baw Shire Council has appointed a new Director Planning and Development, Mr James Reid, who will join Council’s Executive Leadership team on 14 December 2020.

Mr Reid will bring more than 30 years’ experience in strategic and statutory planning to Council.

For the past decade Mr Reid has been a Planning Director at Ethos Urban (formerly Planisphere), a leading national consultancy firm that prioritises people-centred, sustainable planning and urban design.

Mr Reid has extensive leadership experience in the Local Government sector, most recently as Director Planning, Building and Health at Yarra Ranges Shire Council.

Prior to his stint at Yarra Ranges, Mr Reid held roles at Councils in Victoria and Tasmania. He has managed large teams in planning, building, arts and culture, environment and health.

Mr Reid is the former Victorian President of Planning Institute Australia, serving in the role from 2014-16, and prior to that was co-editor of industry magazine Planning News.

Mr Reid holds both a Bachelor of Planning and Design and Bachelor of Town and Regional Planning.

As Baw Baw’s Director Planning and Development, Mr Reid will lead teams in strategic and statutory planning, social and community planning, priority development, building and regulatory services, emergency management, public health, and community safety.

Quotes attributable to CEO Mark Dupe

 "After a very thorough recruitment process, James was a stand-out. He is eminently qualified and will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to Baw Baw Shire.

“His experience at Yarra Ranges Shire means he is well-versed on the challenges and opportunities before rapidly growing peri-urban Councils, while his time as a Director at Ethos Urban saw him engage with both the public and private sector to deliver high-quality projects across Australia’s eastern states.

"I know James is looking forward to joining the team and engaging with our community, Councillors and staff to deliver our community’s aspirations for future planning in Baw Baw Shire.”