Swan Valley Strategic Leadership Group

The Minister for Planning has created a new leadership group to provide strategic advice on the protection, promotion and marketing, and enhancement of the region.
The Group will advise the Minister on:

• protection of the Swan Valley as a productive agricultural region within the Perth metropolitan region;
• promotion and marketing of horticulture, viticulture, tourism, hospitality, hobby farming and equestrian activities in the Swan Valley; and
• enhancement and protection of the cultural heritage, built heritage, recreation and landscape values of the Swan Valley.

Functions of Swan Valley Strategic Leadership Group

1. The Swan Valley Strategic Leadership Group has the following functions —
   1.  to give information to the Minister on matters relating to the Swan Valley, including —
      1. the protection of the Swan Valley as a productive agricultural region within the Perth metropolitan region; and
      2. the promotion and marketing of horticulture, viticulture, tourism, hospitality, hobby farming and equestrian activities in the Swan Valley; and
      3. the enhancement and protection of the cultural heritage, built heritage, recreation and landscape values of the Swan Valley;
   2. to prepare reports or other documents in relation to any of the matters referred to in paragraph (a);
   3.  to comment on any proposed Swan Valley Planning Scheme or proposed amendment of the Swan Valley Planning Scheme;
   4. to comment on any proposed policies, schemes or instruments under the Planning and Development Act 2005 or another written law that affect the Swan Valley;
   5. to provide direction and support to public authorities, industry, commerce and the community in relation to the Swan Valley and furthering the objects of this Act;
   6. any other functions given to the Swan Valley Strategic Leadership Group by this Act or another written law.
2. It is not a function of the Swan Valley Strategic Leadership Group to provide advice or comments, or to prepare reports or other documents, in relation to  particular applications for approval of subdivision or development in the Swan Valley.
3. The Swan Valley Strategic Leadership Group may do all things necessary or convenient to be done for or in connection with the performance of its functions.

Source: Swan Valley Planning Act 2020 Part 3 Clause 29 

Swan Valley Strategic Leadership Group members

Graeme Yukich (Presiding Member)
Mr Yukich is Chairman of the Y-Group, a leading Western Australian food and wine company, and is a third generation Swan Valley resident, grape grower and wine maker.

Allyson Kundid 
A local vineyard owner and experienced viticulturalist, Ms Kundid is a Committee Member of the Swan Valley Tourism Alliance.

Paula Sothern
An orchardist and Swan Valley business owner, Ms Sothern has more than 40 years working in State and Local government with a strong background in integrated transport planning.

Karl Millard 
A Swan Valley resident and experienced business development manager, Mr Millard has a strong background in Indigenous tourism operations and ventures.

Susanna Sorgiovanni 
Experienced viticulturalist, vineyard owner and long-term resident of the region, Ms Sorgiovanni is a Committee Member of Swan Valley Tourism Alliance. 

Keith Vuleta 
An experienced accountant and local business owner, Mr Veluta was a member of the previous Swan Valley Planning Committee.

Hayley Saunders
Ms Saunders is a Swan Valley resident and business owner.