WA Women in Planning Network

About the WA Women in Planning Network

The PIA WA Women in Planning Network is your local divisional group for Women Planners, supported by the WA Division of PIA.

It was established in 2020 to provide a dedicated forum and advocacy platform for women in the industry.

The network seeks to connect, inspire and support women in the planning and built environment allied professions by providing networking and professional development opportunities, and facilitating important discussions. The network holds a series of events to promote a growing membership. Events are mainly low-cost and hosted at varied venues and formats to suit busy lifestyles

Get Involved

Applications have now closed to join the Women in Planning Network (WPN) Leadership Group for the 2026-2028 term.
 
You can still be involved by joining our events or reaching out to any of our members.
 
Be part of shaping the future. 

You can also follow us on social media!

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Our members

The Western Australian Women in Planning Network (WPNWA) recognises membership through an open and inclusive approach that values participation, connection, and shared purpose. You do not need to be a member of the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) to be involved, and there is no cost to join. Our network welcomes individuals whose skills and interests may extend beyond urban and regional planning, united by a shared focus on creating inclusive communities across Western Australia and beyond.

Membership is primarily participation-based, defined by involvement in activities such as attending events or meetings, contributing to working groups or forums, volunteering, or supporting our projects. Signing up through our mailing list or online platforms helps us stay connected with those engaged in our network, while allowing you to opt in or out at any time.

We also recognise members through professional or organisational affiliation, as well as through the meaningful contributions individuals make—whether by sharing knowledge, organising events, or actively supporting our mission. Most importantly, we welcome those who identify with our values and consider themselves part of the network. In this way, WPNWA fosters a strong sense of belonging without the need for formal membership processes.

To sign up to receive our communications or for further information please visit: Women in Planning Network | Join Us

Terms of Reference

Key information and resources

An overview of the Network, committee and resources driving change

Booklet

Women in Planning Network Awards

The Awards recognises the outstanding leadership and achievements from established and emerging female professionals based in WA. There are two award categories: the Leadership Award and the Achiever Award. 

Learn More

Events and What's On

We host a series of events over different formats and days of the week to suit your busy schedules.

 Learn More

Leadership Group

Convenor:

  • Renata Yap MPIA

Committee Members:

  • Claire Franklin MPIA Fellow 
  • Abbey Goodall PIA (Assoc.) 
  • Andra Biondi MPIA 
  • Georgia Young  
  • Katrina Shoobridge RPIA 
  • Seth Cohen-Radosevich 
  • Karli Beresford MPIA 
  • Nicola Clark
  • Mary Niveda Chandu 
  • Alexia Yacoubian
  • Rachel Tu
  • Jacqui Hall
  • Milla Harris
  • Viraj Dave
  • Vanessa Kalau

Thank you to our past Leadership Group members who continue to be champions to our work:

  • Kathy Bonus RPIA (Fellow) (Founding Member)
  • Emma de Jager (Founding Member)
  • Vicki Lummer RPIA (Fellow) (Founding Member)
  • Cath Blake-Powell
  • Jo Dowsett
  • Alice Baldock
  • Danielle Castaldini
  • Ellie Anzalchi
  • Emma Van Der Linden
  • Emily Salvisberg
  • Ruby Petitt
  • Tara Gloster 
  • Jackie Kirchlechner
  • Cassie Barrow
  • Kate Brooks
  • Jocelyn Baister 
  • Melissa Bailey
  • Chantelle Gilbert 
  • Monique Thompson RPIA
  • Laura Sabitzer MPIA

Sponsorship

As a non-for-profit organisation we are conscious of providing a range of professional networking opportunities at low cost to members. The events held to date would not have been possible without the sponsorship and in-kind support from across the sector.

The WPN WA Awards and events provide an exciting new platform for individuals and organisations to align their efforts to support women in planning and across the built form sector.  We are looking for a range of sponsors to support us. See our Sponsorship Prospectus as a guide to the in kind support we are seeking. 

 

Charity

The WPN WA proudly supports charities associated with our core values. Our supporting charity for 2024/25 is Orana House. 

Orana House provides emergency crisis accommodation and wraparound support to women and their children. They are an independent, not-for-profit organisation with an outstanding reputation within the sector and community, developed over more than 30 years of service. Their purpose-built refuge in Bayswater is a safe environment, staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 

Orana House also run The SWitCH Centre: Supporting Women in the Community Holistically. This is a one-stop hub where people can access all of our additional services: court support, safety planning, advocacy, counselling, career/financial advice, and so much more. They also operate a number of transitional homes across Boorloo/Perth and lead the Housing Families program, a ground-breaking initiative that helps our Warrior Women to overcome barriers in the private rental market – because everyone deserves to live free from FDV.