Executive Team

• Engineering and Regulatory Services
• Town Planning and Economic Development
• Corporate Services
• Community Services

Gary joined the Shire in November 2009, relocating from Victoria where he was the Head of Economic Recovery for the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authoirty.  Prior to that, Gary was the Executive Director for Industry and Investment for Regional Development Victoria which was involved in major developments throughout the State including the Food and Wine sector.  Gary was responsible for the development of inbound and outbound trade missions in the Food sector and led missions into South East Asia.  During this period, Gary was also a member of several high level Federal and State committees responsible for disaster recovery.  Gary was the CEO of Mansfield Shire in Victoria and previously a Director at the Baw Baw Shire in Gippsland.  He has also worked in major construction in both the Power and Water sectors in Australia and internationally. 

Gary has an MBA in Executive Business Operations and is a Fellow of GCLP.  He has been a Director of Federation Health, Bragakoloong Indigenous Training Group and Chair of the Mansfield Mt Buller Regional Tourist Authoirty. 

The Infrastructure team is responsible for providing a broad range of services including Road and Drainage Maintenance, Rubbish Collection and Ranger Services. Infrastructure also looks after Cemetaries and has an Environmental Officer.

The Town Planning and Economic Development Department manages the preparation of Strategic Plans and Policies, Subdivision and Development Control, Land Use Planning, Zoning, Forward Planning, Management of Council-Owned Land, Road Names, Compliance of Residential Design Codes, Home Occupation Applications, Reserving Land for Parks, Roads, Schools and Civic purposes.

Council’s Corporate Services team provides support to the organisation in the areas of finance, customer service, records and information technology. The Executive Manager of Corporate Services is also responsible for management of Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley airports situated in Kununurra and Wyndham.

Jo-Anne Ellis joined the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley in June 2007 with five years local government experience having been previously worked for the Shires of Moora and Kojonup as Finance Manager. Prior to this Jo-Anne worked for State Government in the compliance and asset divisions of the Office of the Auditor General.

Jo-Anne has a Bachelor of Business degree with a major in Accounting and is a Chartered Accountant. Jo-Anne brings to the Shire a background in financial management.

The Shire provides community services and facilities such as recreation and leisure, child care and public libraries and contributes to community safety, access and inclusion, youth and community wellbeing, social planning and interagency responses to local community issues.

Karyn Apperley has over 15 years experience in youth and community development work, with 6 years in local government community services. Prior to joining the Shire in October 2005, Karyn spent three years working as Principal Policy Officer for the NSW Department of Local Government. Karyn's solid background and extensive experience in community service provision and community development contributes to the Shire's commitment and responsive delivery of services to the local community.