Craig Winn
Kenthurst,NSW
Summary
Highly experienced senior local government lawyer and regulatory specialist with over 25 years in planning, development assessment, building certification, environmental compliance, and legal governance across multiple NSW Councils. Proven track record as General Counsel / Manager Legal Services, providing strategic legal and regulatory advice to Executives, Mayors, and Councillors on complex planning, land use, environmental, and local government matters. Expert in EP&A Act 1979, Local Government Act, Building Code of Australia, and related legislation. Skilled in leading multi-disciplinary teams, managing significant budgets, appearing in NSW Courts and Tribunals (including Land and Environment Court), negotiating high-stakes agreements, and driving governance improvements. Seeking to leverage extensive statutory planning, development control, and leadership experience in a Director City Planning role.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
General Counsel / Manager Legal Services
Hawkesbury City Council
12.2022 - Current
- Lead and manage the full spectrum of Council’s legal and regulatory services, including external legal panel coordination and budget oversight.
- Deliver expert strategic legal advice on planning, development, environmental, regulatory, and governance matters to the Executive, Mayor, and Councillors.
- Represent Council in proceedings across all NSW Courts and Tribunals, with emphasis on Land and Environment Court matters.
- Facilitate complex negotiations, draft/settle agreements, and advise governing bodies on high-risk strategic initiatives.
General Counsel / Manager Legal and Insurance
North Sydney Council
01.2019 - 12.2022
- Directed legal services function, managing a $1.8M budget and external legal providers.
- Provided authoritative advice across Council operations, with focus on statutory planning, development control, environmental compliance, and regulatory enforcement.
- Appeared and advocated for Council in NSW Courts/Tribunals, including complex Land and Environment Court litigation.
- Supported Executive and Councillors through strategic negotiations, governance reviews, and policy implementation.
Corporate Lawyer / Public Officer
The Hills Shire Council
03.2014 - 11.2019
- Managed $1.2M legal services budget and coordinated external legal panel.
- Delivered comprehensive legal counsel on local government, planning, and environmental law matters.
- Oversaw governance documentation reviews, commercial contracts, Code of Conduct investigations, GIPA internal reviews, and risk/compliance support.
- Acted as Council’s legal representative in all NSW jurisdictions, including preparation and carriage of complex litigation.
- Served as Public Officer, ensuring statutory compliance and corporate governance standards.
Senior Lawyer
The Hills Shire Council
07.2007 - 03.2014
- Provided specialist advice and litigation management in planning, environmental, and local government law.
- Managed high-volume, complex matters in Land and Environment Court (all classes), Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Local Court, and tribunals (e.g., NCAT predecessors).
- Drafted, reviewed, and negotiated contracts, leases, licences, and deeds; briefed Counsel/Senior Counsel as required.
- Monitored key court decisions and reported on implications for Council operations.
Senior Departmental Investigator
NSW Department of Planning – Building Professionals Board
10.2005 - 01.2007
- Led investigations and audits of Councils and accredited certifiers under EP&A Act Part 4A.
- Developed recommendations, provided statutory advice to stakeholders, and contributed to policy/guidance materials.
- Built deep expertise in DA processes, building certification, BCA compliance, and regulatory frameworks.
Senior Development Assessment Officer
Civic Approvals (Bankstown City Council)
03.2003 - 10.2005
- Assessed and determined Development Applications (DAs), Construction Certificates (CCs), Complying Development Certificates (CDCs), and Occupation Certificates (OCs).
- Conducted PCA inspections, complaint investigations, and regulatory enforcement.
- Acted as consultant to local and State authorities on planning and building matters.
District/Senior Health and Building Surveyor, Development Control Officer, and File Management Officer
Baulkham Hills Shire Council
01.1994 - 03.2003
- Developed foundational expertise in development assessment, building regulation, complaint investigation, EP&A Act/LG Act/BCA application, court appearances as expert witness, and international building standards exposure.
Building Control Officer and Maintenance Surveyor (contracts)
London Boroughs of Southwark and Islington
London, United Kingdom
01.1994 - 12.1994
- Developed foundational expertise in development assessment, building regulation, complaint investigation, EP&A Act/LG Act/BCA application, court appearances as expert witness, and international building standards exposure.
Sales Consultant
Dexters Estate Agents
London, United Kingdom
01.1994 - 12.1994
- Developed foundational expertise in development assessment, building regulation, complaint investigation, EP&A Act/LG Act/BCA application, court appearances as expert witness, and international building standards exposure.
Education
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) -
University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
Graduate Certificate in Legal Practice -
University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
Associate Diploma in Applied Science (Health and Building) -
TAFE NSW
Skills
- Strategic planning
- Statutory planning
- Development assessment
- Certification
- Land use compliance
- Environmental compliance
- Building regulation compliance
- Litigation
- Advocacy
- Contract negotiation
- Commercial agreements
- Governance documentation
- Budget management
- Legal oversight
- Stakeholder engagement
- Code of Conduct investigations
- GIPA reviews
- Risk leadership
- Compliance leadership
- Legal analysis
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
General Counsel / Manager Legal Services
Hawkesbury City Council
12.2022 - Current
General Counsel / Manager Legal and Insurance
North Sydney Council
01.2019 - 12.2022
Corporate Lawyer / Public Officer
The Hills Shire Council
03.2014 - 11.2019
Senior Lawyer
The Hills Shire Council
07.2007 - 03.2014
Senior Departmental Investigator
NSW Department of Planning – Building Professionals Board
10.2005 - 01.2007
Senior Development Assessment Officer
Civic Approvals (Bankstown City Council)
03.2003 - 10.2005
District/Senior Health and Building Surveyor, Development Control Officer, and File Management Officer
Baulkham Hills Shire Council
01.1994 - 03.2003
Building Control Officer and Maintenance Surveyor (contracts)
London Boroughs of Southwark and Islington
01.1994 - 12.1994
Sales Consultant
Dexters Estate Agents
01.1994 - 12.1994
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) -
University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
Graduate Certificate in Legal Practice -
University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
Associate Diploma in Applied Science (Health and Building) -
TAFE NSW