The WA Regional Council meets monthly. Members and non-members are welcome to attend. If you would like to come along, please contact us. The Regional Council runs four professional networks each year: Parks and Environment, Leisure Facility & Fitness, Leisure and Recreation Planning, Community Events. These form the core focus of our professional development activities and are each managed by a Regional Councillor, supported by our staff. Check out Local Networks for more information.
Treasurer
Andrew Reedy, Play Check
Projects: Playspace Technical Tours
Andrew Reedy has been involved in the playground industry since 1994, during which time he has been involved in the design and manufacture of playground equipment, as well all aspects of safety and compliance. Since 2002 Andrew has represented the Australian Industry Group on the Standards Australia committee for playground equipment. He has been involved in the development all versions of AS 4685 and AS 4422:2016. From 2014 to 2016 Andrew chaired the Standards sub-committee responsible for the development of AS 4685.0:2017 (dealing with the development, installation, inspection, maintenance and operation of playground equipment). He has consulted on numerous major playground projects in WA, providing advice and preliminary assessments during the design and development stages, providing on-site assessments during construction and post-construction audits.
Councillor
Jacqui Freeman, City of Albany
Network: Parks & Environment
Jacqui has worked for the City of Albany for 10 years where she is currently the Manager of City Reserves, a position she has held for the last 6 years. Prior to working for local Government, she was an environmental consultant and started at the City as the Natural Reserves Coordinator followed by a stint as the Developed Reserves Coordinator. Moving into the developed reserves area ignited her passion for enhancing recreational and public spaces; providing a diverse range of experiences for the residents of Albany. In her role, she is responsible for developing policies, strategies and procedures to ensure a consistent approach to reserves management. She counts herself lucky to work in such a beautiful, scenic and biodiverse region where she can work with the community to create great spaces.
Councillor
Joanne Smith, JSA Consulting
Network Lead: Parks & Environment.
Projects: Conference Chair. Parks Regional Managers Network.
Joanne has been a PLA board member since 2010 and has extensive experience in private, state government and local government sectors in planning, design, development and management of farming land, heritage sites, urban parkland, foreshores and streetscapes. She joined the PLA board to help make a difference for parks professionals, a passionate bunch of people managers wanting the best business, environmental, social and health outcomes for their staff and communities. She is particularly keen to progress conversations regarding urban forestry and the values of water and open space.
Councillor
Janine Ahola, City of Melville
Network Lead: Parks & Environment.
Janine is an award winning registered Landscape Architect, with over 20 years experience working in the Local Government Sector. She successfully leads an ever expanding Open Space Design Team that consists of Landscape Architects and Urban Forest specialists. With the primary role of managing innovative and creative Public Open Space design, developing strategies and expanding City of Melville’s Urban forest canopy, Janine has a strong practical and theoretical understanding of all elements relating to Open Space Design.
Janine is a Western Australian Regional Councillor for Parks and Leisure Australia, a member of Australian Institute of Landscape Architects and holds numerous qualifications including in horticulture, project management, leadership and asset management. Her time in the public sector has allowed her to develop extensive experience in managing the complexities of Public Open Space from strategy through to construction.
Councillor
Dion Johnson, City of Stirling
Network: Parks & Environment
Mr Johnson has devoted his career to amenity horticulture and park management for more than 28 years. He is currently the Manager Parks and Environment and acting Director Infrastructure and Environment at the City of Canning. Mr Johnson has previously held senior positions in local government and other public organisations in sportsground and streetscape management. Mr Johnson education spans Horticulture, Frontline and Project Management, Community Engagement and Asset Management.
Councillor
Carina Whittington, City of Armadale
Network: Leisure & Recreation Planning Projects
Mrs Whittington has worked in local government since 2002 in a variety of corporate, strategic, project and community roles with a mix of operational and planning responsibilities. Working at the City of Armadale since 2017, Carina has been the Acting Manager Community Planning since 2020. She worked as the Community Facilities Planning Co-ordinator with principal responsibility for planning new and upgraded community facilities across the City including maintaining and implementing an external funding strategy, needs and feasibility analysis for new/upgraded facilities, strategy and policy development, growth area social planning, project management, planning and design, community engagement and social data management. Other roles include Acting CEO, Shire of Boddington; Community Development Manager, Shire of Boddington. She has volunteered in a variety of roles including with LG Professionals.
Councillor
David Bruce, City of Gosnells
Portfolio: Events & Professional Development
Network:
After moving from Queensland in 2010 for both sporting and career opportunities. Dave has progressed his career with work across both Local and State Government (VenuesWest) over the past eleven years. Dave is currently Project Manager for City of Gosnells overseeing all the City’s major facilities projects and prior to this was Recreation Services Coordinator and Project Services Coordinator at City of Bayswater and lead the delivery of the Morley Sport & Recreation, Maylands Waterland and Noranda Netball Redevelopments. Dave specialises in project management and is responsible for delivering projects from planning through to delivery including major redevelopments, community facilities renewals or public open space projects. Dave is also the Chairperson of Metropolitan Area Recreational Advisory Group since June 2019 which provides advocacy and professional development for the Local Government for Sport and Recreation Professionals on key issues impacting local government in Sport and Public Open Space and a Current Football West National Premier Leagues referee. Dave is a passionate sport person of all codes, aims to look at ways to better collaborate, advocate, lead and ensure that both sports and community facilities are sustainable for all into the future.
Interested in becoming a part of the Region Council?
Join us today as a corporate or individual member and become a part of ‘the people behind the places.’ Our members are actively engaged across policy, planning, and the provision of assets, services, facilities, programs, and research in the parks and leisure sector. By becoming a member, you’ll have opportunities to volunteer in various PLA committees, Research Groups, Regional Councils, and the National Board, while enjoying exclusive PLA member benefits.
Find out how you can be a part of our mission and access these benefits today.