Town Planner - Development Assessment

About the role:

Join our team as a proactive and solutions-focused Town Planner, leading the full development application process—from assessment to compliance—while shaping key planning policies and strategies. You'll collaborate across Council divisions, engage with the community and external stakeholders, and represent Council in legal proceedings and planning panels. This is a high-impact role where your expertise in legislation, negotiation, and strategic thinking will help drive smart, sustainable development. You’ll also mentor junior planners and contribute to shaping the Division’s future through policy input and budget planning.

What's on offer:

• a base salary ranging from $98,191 per annum with competency-based increments up to $113,007 per annum, plus 12% super
• 70 hour, 9 day fortnight
• training and development opportunities
• flexible work options for a healthy work/life balance
• generous employment conditions (we have too many to list - click here for more).

We are seeking:

• Leadership in managing the entire development application and assessment process—shaping impactful planning outcomes.
• Have input into development and refinement of Local Environmental Plans (LEPs), Development Control Plans (DCPs), and innovative planning policies that guide sustainable growth.
• Collaborate closely with diverse teams, community stakeholders, and government agencies to deliver coordinated and effective development solutions.
• Serve as a trusted expert on planning legislation, skilfully navigating complex issues and representing Council in high-profile legal and planning forums.

About us:

• Located on the picturesque far North Coast of NSW, bordering the Gold Coast.
• The Tweed is a vibrant, diverse location offering a lifestyle near the water, in a rainforest or on a farm.  
• Tweed Shire Council is committed to employment equity and diversity and encourages applications from people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds in both traditional and non-traditional roles.  We provide workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options. 
• Join an employer of choice. Professionals Australia (Local Government Engineers’ Association) has named Council the 2021 Employer of Choice for our great employment practices within NSW local government. 

Where it's located:

This position is based in Murwillumbah, and can be directed to work from any Council work site.

Position closes: 

Friday 1 August 2025 at 12 noon sharp (NSW time).  Late applications will not be permitted.

Click here to view the Position Description 

TIPS for Addressing the Selection Criteria

Click here for more information on the Recruitment Process

Click here to view our Values

Pre-Employment Screening:

Tweed Shire Council conducts pre-employment assessments as part of its recruitment process. 

Job offers are not made until screening has been completed. Tweed Shire Council uses third-party providers to undertake:

• Pre-employment medical – some roles require a functional (physical) assessment, and all positions are subject to drug and alcohol screening (a positive test result means the recruitment process ends and your application will not be considered).
• Background screening - verifies that the information you have provided throughout the recruitment process is true and correct.  Click here for more information.

Reference Checks are undertaken by the panel. Your 2 referees should ideally be your current and most recent supervisors.  Your referees are not contacted unless you’ve been interviewed and are a preferred candidate.

How To Apply:

You must use your own email address, and not one used previously by another person that has applied for a position with council.

Once you start your online application, you cannot save and return to it later. 

1. Have your Resume document ready to go.
2. Fill out all questions below. Click 'Next'. 
3. You'll then be prompted to attach your resume and other documents (if applicable). Click 'Next'.
4. Review your application to confirm everything is correct. Click 'Confirm' to submit your application.

If you'd like to COPY and PASTE question fields into a separate Word document to work on over time, please find them listed below:

1. Why are you interested in working at Tweed Shire Council, and what excites you most about this particular opportunity?

2. Do you have a degree in Town Planning or relevant post graduate Town Planning qualification? Please provide details. 

3. How has your eligibility or membership with the Planning Institute of Australia supported your professional development?

4. Can you describe your experience processing development applications and preparing LEPs and DCPs within a local government framework?

5. Tell me about your experience supervising staff. 

6. How have you applied your knowledge of NSW planning legislation and regulations to handle complex or sensitive planning matters?

7. Do you hold a current drivers licence?

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