The WALGA Planning and Building team coordinate a number of forums, reference groups and committees with our members. These working groups allow us to be responsive to the needs of our members on a range of contemporary issues in planning and building. 

The WALGA Planning and Building team coordinate the following- 

Urban Forest Working Group

The Urban Forest Working Group was established by WALGA in 2019 and currently has more than 60 members presenting 32 Local Governments across planning, sustainability/environment and parks/gardens. The Urban Forest Working Group is jointly coordinated by WALGA's Planning and Environment teams, acting as a community of practice that undertakes projects against the Working Group's agreed priorities. 

WALGA and the Urban Forest Working Group also deliver an urban forest conference to showcase latest research, significant policy changes, best practice examples, build networks and keep canopy loss on the agenda. Valuing Canopy: An Urban Forest Conference was held in February 2023

Building Surveyors Working Group - Metropolitan and Regional

The Building Surveyors Working Groups are a regular forum of metropolitan and regionally based Local Government officers who meet to discuss and resolve common issues related to implementation of the Building Act. 

Environmentally Sustainable Design for Buildings Forum

This forum was established in 2021 to help Local Governments advance community strategic objectives related to environmentally sustainable design in the built environment. The forum holds regular workshops, prepares resources to support Local Governments and influence policy, and is guided by a committee of representatives from Local Government, WALGA's Planning and Building team, and WALGA's Environment team. 

Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Planning Forum

This forum was established in 2017 to support Local Governments officers with coastal hazard risk management and adaptation planning (CHRMAP) responsibilities, outlined in State Planning Policy 2.6: State Coastal Planning Policy. The forum meets regularly to discuss and resolve common challenges, influence policy, and prepare resources to support the implementation of coastal hazard management plans. The forum is jointly coordinated by WALGA’s Planning and Building Team and WALGA’s Environment Team.

Get in touch if you'd like further information or to be involved in any of the above. 

WALGA is a leading voice for Local Government planning and building in Western Australia. As such, our Planning and Building team actively seek opportunities to be involved in working groups, committees and stakeholder reference groups on issues affecting the sector. State government agencies and other peak bodies also frequently approach WALGA directly for involvement in such groups to inform policy and legislative change. Currently we are engaged in working/reference groups on the following topics:
  • Planning reform
  • Region scheme reviews
  • Structure planning 
  • Environmentally Sustainable Design for the Built Environment