Director Planning and Development takes up new role at Yarra Ranges

Published on 13 December 2023

Baw Baw Shire Council today announces the resignation of Ms Leanne Hurst from her role as Director Planning and Development, effective 5 January 2024. Ms Hurst is set to embark on a new career journey, taking up the position of Director Communities at Yarra Ranges Council.

“Since joining Baw Baw in December 2021, Leanne has made a significant and positive impact to the evolution of our Planning and Development services,” said Chief Executive Officer of Baw Baw Shire Council, Mark Dupe.

“Our Planning and Development teams work amidst significant challenges stemming from our region’s extraordinary growth and development pressures. Leanne’s combination of authenticity, optimism and pragmatism in tackling these challenges has been inspiring, earning her the respect of all who have worked with her and benefited from her supportive approach.”

“Leanne has played an integral role in implementing several internal measures to improve processes and outcomes for our community, and it’s exciting to know that these will be felt by our residents very soon. She has changed and uplifted our planning performance and reinvigorated our internal planning systems, allowing us to deliver more positive outcomes for everyone.”

Notable outcomes achieved during Ms Hurst’s tenure at Baw Baw Shire Council include:

• Clearing the backlog in planning applications, with processing times improving by 37 per cent.
• Increased staff engagement and steadying staff turnover to industry norms.
• A refreshed commitment to customer service outcomes and improved communication, resulting in a significant reduction in outstanding customer planning requests and improved response rates across all areas of planning and development.

“Leanne has been a valued member of Council’s Executive Leadership Team, contributing a depth of expertise and advocating passionately for the connections between people and place and the role that Local Government plays in supporting communities in achieving their vision,” said Mr Dupe.

“On behalf of Baw Baw Shire Council and the community, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Leanne for her exemplary service and wish her every success in her future endeavours.”

An interim appointment to the Director Planning and Development role will be made in December 2023 with a formal recruitment process to commence in January 2024.