Council announces new planning director
Date published: 30 March 2017
Leading planner Eber Butron has been appointed to the Director of Planning and Community Engagement at the Townsville City Council.
Townsville Mayor Cr Jenny Hill and Council Chief Executive Officer Ms Adele Young announced the appointment today.
Mr Butron joins the council with over 20 years of planning experience across Australia, including North Queensland, and will start his duties on May 8.
His most recent role was Acting Group Manager of City Development for Fairfield City Council and he has extensive expertise in reform and economic activation.
Mr Butron was previously the director of Planning & Development and Director of Community Development at Port Headland Council where he played a leading role with establishing a growth plan for the area.
He was instrumental in releasing housing and driving development opportunities, facilitating port expansion and infrastructure during the mining boom, and a range of major projects including a multi-million dollar private treaty development with BHP on council owned land.
Council CEO Ms Young welcomed Mr Butron’s appointment following an Australia wide recruitment process.
“Mr Butron has established a highly successful career as a reformer, planner and a leader in economic development and I’m delighted to have him on board in the senior leadership team on the council,” Ms Young said.
“His expertise in economic activation will be especially important in delivering the council’s big agenda for growth and development for the city.”
Mayor Cr Jenny Hill said Mr Butron position would play a key role in the city’s development.
“Mr Butron has excellent credentials for the job with significant experience in large and small communities across Australia,” Cr Hill said.
“He joins the council at an exciting time when we are working with governments and the community on City Deals and the delivery of major projects to launch the next phase of growth in the city.”
Mr Butron said he was looking forward to taking up his new role in May.
“I’m delighted in accepting the Directors role and the exciting challenges ahead. I look forward to working with the local community and contributing to the growth of Townsville as a major regional capital for northern Australia,” Mr Butron said.
Over his career, Mr Butron has been involved in a range of strategic planning, urban growth, infrastructure and economic development projects.
He represented Fairfield City Council on the South West Joint Regional Planning Panel and the South West District Technical Working Group and has worked in a range of senior planning roles within NSW, WA, and South East Queensland.
