Gippsland › Latest news › Baw Baw Local News
James Reid - Baw Baw Shire Planning Director departs to pursue potentially career-defining project in professional planning
Baw Baw Shire Council Director of Planning and Development James Reid to pursue a role with the Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust.
Baw Baw Shire Council Director of Planning and Development James Reid has confirmed he will move on after approximately nine months in the role. Mr Reid departs to pursue a once-in-a-lifetime role with the Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust, where he will have the opportunity to oversee the planning of a significant legacy infrastructure project.
James Reid, Baw Baw Shire Council Director of Planning and Development
Focused on building capacity and improving team
Mr Reid was appointed a Baw Baw Shire Council Director in November 2020 and has since led teams in strategic and statutory planning, social and community planning, priority development, building and regulatory services, emergency management, public health and community safety. Despite his relatively short time at Baw Baw Shire Council, Mr Reid is recognised both internally and externally for the positive impact he's made.
Mr Reid has focussed on building the capacity of his teams and improving relationships with internal and external stakeholders. He has overseen the completion of several major strategic projects, including the Warragul and Drouin Precinct Structure Plans Review, the Planning in the Economic Growth Zone Amendment and the Local Law Review. He also played an important role in the relief and recovery efforts following the major storm and flood events in June that affected Walhalla, Tanjil Bren and Noojee.
Mr Reid will join the Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust as Chief Future Built Environment Officer where, among other responsibilities, he will oversee the planning of a new 130+ hectare memorial park - a potentially career-defining project for a planning professional. Mr Reid's final day at Baw Baw Shire Council will be Friday 24 September 2020.
Challenging decision
Director Planning and Development James Reid said, "It was an extremely challenging decision to move on. In the end, the opportunity to work on a legacy infrastructure project - a 'dream job' for an urban planner - was too good to pass up."
"I have loved my time at Baw Baw Shire. I have spent half of my career working in local government and can honestly say that Baw Baw is top of the list when it comes to job satisfaction, dynamism and team spirit."
"The demands of working in such a fast-growing municipality are well and truly offset by the calibre of the Baw Baw team, their commitment to the community, and their ingenuity and 'can do' attitude. I would like to thank everyone at Baw Baw for their camaraderie, support and hard work."
Contributing a great deal
CEO Mark Dupe siad, "Although it is with a heavy heart that we accept James' resignation, it is with fond feeling and best wishes that we offer our farewells as he pursues this unique opportunity."
"James has contributed a great deal to our organisation in a short time. He's made a tremendous positive impact both with the teams he oversees but also working with the Council group, the community, developers and other external stakeholders. I think I speak for our whole organisation in saying that he will be missed and that we wish him all the best in his future endeavours."
Planning and development in place
Mayor Cr Danny Goss said, "James has been a fantastic addition to the Executive Leadership Team and has brought great vision, experience and pragmatism to the planning team in his short time with Council.
"Speaking on behalf of the Council, James has been brilliant to work with. Knowledgeable and insightful, his transparent and clear-minded direction in planning has been appreciated. Although we are disappointed to see him leave, we understand that such an opportunity is rare and wish him every success as he takes on this new challenge."
"We have a great Planning and Development team in place. They've been making great strides as we've seen with the likes of the PSP Review and other significant projects, and I know they'll continue to go from strength to strength."
Pictures from Wellington Shire Council website.
Source: http://gippsland.com/
Published by: support@gippsland.com
Latest News
Berninneit in Cowes earns four nominations for prestigious Australian Institute of Architects' Victorian Chapter AwardsANZAC Day events across South Gippsland and other shire council updates
Gippsland students urged to enter National Water Week poster contest by 6 September 2024
Have your say and help develop Trafalgar Structure Plan through online survey by 20 May 2024
Stay vigilant and report scams to IDCare on 1800595160 as over 500,000 Aussies lose $3B in 2022
Tim Bull visits Gallipoli and honours fallen locals such as Basil Hooper, Vern Brookes, Thomas Bell, and Thomas Haylock
Community feedback needed for East Gippsland Shire Council Draft 2024/25 Budget by 29 May 2024
Fresh food tax criticised by industry as lack of clarity on payment and collection will harm families and farmers
Russell Broadbent seeks answers to 20% increase in cardiac arrests by advocating investigation to include vaccine mandates
East Gippsland Shire Council highlights telecommunications infrastructure when advocating over thirty goals for community resilience and development