Emma Cole is the Chair of the WA Planning Commission and brings urban and regional planning, board and governance expertise, and diverse state and local government experience.

Emma most recently served as WAPC Deputy Chair and first joined the Planning Commission in February 2020. Emma is also currently the Chair of the State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC), which plays a pivotal role as a conduit between the public sector leaders of the State’s Hazard Management Agencies. As a member of the Keystart Homeloans board, Emma understands the importance of affordable housing and has helped oversee Keystart’s transition towards a Government Trading Enterprise.

Emma has 10 years of experience in local government, including as a former Mayor and Development Assessment Panel local government member. During her time as Mayor of the City of Vincent, Emma oversaw significant reforms in good governance, community and stakeholder engagement and modernisation of the City’s local planning framework, resulting in an innovative approach to urban renewal and development.

Emma is a full member of the Planning Institute of Australia and a Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia WA. Emma holds a Master of Urban and Regional Planning, a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.