About Us | WPNWA

A Bit About Us

How we started, our vision and our leadership group

Our Story

WPN WA started as an idea between a handful of colleagues about the need to connect, inspire and support other women working within planning and allied built environment professions. We reminisced about earlier networks where we gained valuable personal support and have maintained those friendships over the course of our careers.

We wanted to provide the same opportunity for women in our industry, from those starting their academic journey to end of career, because we know the value that these connections can make.

Our Mission

To connect, inspire and support women in planning and allied built environment professions.

Connect

We hold a series of events for different budgets and with varied formats to suit busy lifestyles. The events range from informal gatherings to guest talks from a range of career perspectives and sectors.

Inspire

We convene a WA-based International Women’s Day event in March each year. Our WA Awards seek to recognise outstanding leadership and achievements from both established and emerging professionals in planning and allied sectors. We also aim to inspire our network through our smaller Network events and speakers.

Support

We provide a platform to advocate for women’s interest within the industry to promote equitable and inclusive cities and regional communities.

Our Focus

Established in 2020, WPN WA comprises women from the planning and allied built environment professions and our ambition is to connect, inspire and support women from across the WA sector. We mobilise our vision by providing low cost events and opportunities that recognise the important work women are doing both within and outside the sector. The events provide a safe and comfortable space to share successes, insights and lessons learned along the way.

We are a small not-for-profit organisation, supported by industry sponsors the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) Western Australia Division. Each year we support a nominated charity with speaker gifts and fundraising through our events.

The graph showing the Place of Work as reported in network-wide survey in 2020.

Join our Network

To be part of WPN WA, you do not need to be a member of the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA). Your skills and interests may also extend beyond urban and regional planning but still focus on making inclusive communities throughout the State and beyond. There is no cost to join WPN WA and you can opt in/ out when it suits you.

By signing up with WPN WA you will also receive our monthly e-newsletter to keep up to date with our events and latest news.

Our Leadership Group

The WPN WA Leadership Group oversees the the network's activities and engagement with members facilitating regular network functions and events. We each contribute to the group for a minimum term of two years. You can read more about the Leadership Group's role within the Terms and Reference.

The roles of our group includes advocacy, events and regional outreach which is supported by our governance and communications.