SENIOR TOWN PLANNER

Best suited for: Australian citizens, Permanent Residents, New Zealand citizens and Subclass 485 / 491 / 191 visa holders looking for an exceptional role in New South Wales.

About this opportunity

An exceptional, future-shaping opportunity is available within the Development and Environment directorate at Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council (QPRC) for a Senior Town Planner. Offered on a permanent, full-time basis, this position invites you to join an award-winning branch dedicated to facilitating the orderly development of the region's natural and built environments. Reporting to the Coordinator of Development Assessment (Major Projects), the successful candidate will manage complex development applications (DAs), modifications, subdivision certificates, and Southern Regional Planning Panel (SRPP) applications. Acting as a key technical resource, you will influence high-profile regional developments, mentor junior planning staff, and actively implement modern planning system reforms. If you are a collaborative problem-solver ready to enhance the liveability of one of NSW’s fastest-growing regions, this position offers the ideal environment to advance your career.

Job Summary

• Employer Name: Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council (QPRC)
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Required Education & Experience: Tertiary qualification in Town Planning or an equivalent discipline with a minimum of 4 years of planning experience across Local Government, State Government, or private Consulting practice. Extensive experience in interpreting and applying NSW statutory frameworks is required.
• Work Arrangement: On-site
• Employment Location: Queanbeyan, New South Wales (NSW), Australia
• Salary: AUD $99,242.00 - $109,664.36 + 12% superannuation
• Application Deadline: 03 August 2026 (Applications will close once a suitable pool of candidates is found)

Key Responsibilities

• Process and comprehensively assess complex development applications, modifications, and subdivision certificates in strict accordance with statutory NSW legislation and local policy timeframes.
• Coordinate the rigorous processing, detailed assessment, and administrative reporting for major projects lodged with the Southern Regional Planning Panel (SRPP).
• Provide high-quality planning advice and technical determinations on diverse inquiries covering urban design, heritage, environmental protections, and rural development controls.
• Mentor, support, and guide junior planners to understand their statutory obligations, reinforce positive team values, and implement industry best-practice workflows.
• Actively implement the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure's ongoing planning system reforms while identifying procedural opportunities to improve regional service delivery.
• Ensure relevant developer charges and contribution levies are strictly assessed and paid prior to releasing subdivision documentation for Land Registry Service lodgement.
• Conduct routine, safe, and highly respectful field-based site inspections across the municipality.

Skills & Requirements

• Statutory Planning Proficiency: Demonstrated capability to interpret, apply, and navigate complex New South Wales planning legislation and related local government policies.
• Problem Solving & Dispute Mediation: Proven capacity to assess, negotiate, and resolve intricate planning challenges, displaying strong mediation and consensus-building skills with external customers.
• Workload & Time Management: Advanced organization skills with a demonstrated ability to set clear priorities, manage multiple high-profile DAs simultaneously, and satisfy statutory deadlines.
• Communication & IT Literacy: Highly developed written and verbal communication competencies, with a solid proficiency in utilizing Microsoft Office software alongside modern electronic records management systems.
• Highly Regarded Attributes: Direct historical experience handling Land and Environment Court matters will be considered highly advantageous.
• Mandatory Requirement: Must possess and continually maintain a valid Class 'C' Australian Driver's Licence.

Benefits

• Attractive financial package matching Grade 14 provisions, featuring an excellent 12% superannuation contribution and guaranteed upcoming 4% annual award increases.
• Adaptive work-life structures with comprehensive considerations built-in for modern flexible working arrangements.
• Extensive skill advancement through access to an incredibly large internal catalogue of training and specialized professional development courses.
• Generous regional leave entitlements paired with daily convenience benefits, including complimentary staff parking.
• Direct entry into Council’s newly launched reward and recognition platform, offering instant discounts and competitive cashback perks at over 600+ major commercial retailers.

Important Applicant Information

• Application Method: Interested professionals must formally submit a comprehensive resume and targeted application package. For highly specific project inquiries or further positional clarifications, contact Jacinta Tonner, Coordinator of Development Assessment (Major Projects), directly via telephone at (02) 6285 6113 or 0419 295.
• Submission Tip: Optimize your application by explicitly highlighting your specific history with NSW Regional Planning Panels or Land and Environment Court procedures to immediately signal your capacity to manage QPRC's high-profile development pipelines.

Eligible applicants include:

• Australian citizens
• Permanent Residents (PR)
• New Zealand citizens
• Subclass 485 / 491 / 191 visa holders

About The Employer

Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council is a prominent, progressive local government authority managing one of the most rapidly expanding regional footprints in New South Wales. Council champions an inclusive, highly collaborative workplace team culture designed to actively support employee career paths while achieving excellent environmental and built sustainability outcomes. Candidates who require reasonable application changes, accessibility adjustments, or procedural assistance throughout the talent acquisition stages are encouraged to contact the development assessment team.

Applicant Safety & Screening Reminder

• Mandatory Verification: Ultimate formal appointment to this ongoing statutory town planning vacancy remains subject to right-to-work verification, active Class 'C' driver's licence tracking, reference checking, and standard background screening parameters.
• Security Warning: Legitimate New South Wales local government councils never command upfront processing fees, background screening cash deposits, or specialized computing bonds from prospective employees. Do not share confidential bank records or your Tax File Number (TFN) until an official, formal employment agreement has been signed.

Original Source: Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council Recruitment Registry — Senior Town Planner Position Ref: 4506