Legal Counsel - Property

Council Jobs; Strathpine; Hybrid; AUD 104,000 - 131,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Salary increases via EBA 4% in 2027 (C

STARS programme

Salary packaging options

Discounted health insurance

Counselling services

Fitness Passport

On-site parking

Job summary

City of Moreton Bay is seeking a skilled Legal Counsel - Property to join our in‑house legal team. You will advise on property, land use and development matters, draft and negotiate related agreements, and support governance across the organisation.

Enjoy a hybrid work arrangement with some work-from-home days, a competitive salary, and opportunities to influence council projects and community infrastructure in Strathpine and beyond.

Qualifications

• Qualified property lawyer with in-house or government experience.
• Experience in land use, planning and development matters.
• Experience with leases, easements, covenants and acquisition documents.
• Ability to manage property-related disputes and provide strategic advice.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on property, land use and development matters, including risk management.
• Draft, review, negotiate and advise on property-related agreements (leases, easements, covenants).
• Support purchase, sale, compulsory acquisition and disposal of Council land and assets.
• Conduct due diligence investigations relating to land title, tenure and encumbrances.
• Manage property-related disputes and proceedings, including settlements and external counsel as required.
• Advise on native title, tenure and other land rights matters affecting council landholdings.
• Prepare legal opinions, reports and recommendations for senior management.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders on strategic projects and governance.

Skills

Property law

Legal advisory

Contract drafting

Risk management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Law degree

Job description

• $103,597 pa to $130,980 pa + 12% super (level 5 to 7)
• 72.5 hour fortnight
• Hybrid, flexible working environment, including some work from home days.
• Location: Strathpine

Join City of Moreton Bay as a Legal Counsel - Property, and help shape and enhance our communities for today and tomorrow.

We’re excited to be growing our in-house legal team and are seeking a talented Legal Counsel to join us. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced property lawyer looking to grow their career and make a meaningful impact in Local Government.

As part of the collaborative and high-performing legal team, you will strengthen and expand our property law capability while contributing to the team’s broader legal function across commercial contracting, construction / infrastructure contracting, governance, property, planning and environment, and dispute resolution.

At the City of Moreton Bay, your work will help shape decisions that affect the community every day. You’ll step into a trusted advisory role, working at the heart of strategic, legal and operational decision-making within Australia’s third-largest council.

About the Opportunity

In this team, no two days are the same. You will:

• Provide legal advice on property, land use, planning and development matters, including the identification and management of legal risks
• Draft, review, negotiate, and advise on property-related agreements, including leases, licences, easements, covenants and acquisition documents.
• Support the purchase, sale, compulsory acquisition and disposal of Council-owned land and assets.
• Conduct due diligence investigations relating to land title, tenure, encumbrances, zoning restrictions, and property rights.
• Manage property-related disputes and proceedings, including negotiating settlements and instructing external legal representatives as required
• Advise on native title, tenure and other land rights matters affecting council landholdings.
• Prepare legal opinions, reports and recommendations to support senior management and Council decision-making.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to support strategic projects, property transactions, and community infrastructure developments.
• Monitor legislative developments and emerging legal issues impacting local government property dealings and provide proactive advice to stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain property-related precedents, policies, and governance frameworks.

While the primary focus of this role is property law, you will also have opportunities to contribute across other areas of Council's legal service as business needs require.

PD - Legal Counsel

About you

This is an exciting opportunity to join a large and growing in-house legal team during a period of transformation and expansion.

You’ll be part of a collaborative, people-focused environment where you’ll be supported to develop your skills, strengthen relationships across the business and contribute to delivering contemporary, best-practice legal services.

You will:

• Play a key role in projects that deliver lasting benefits to the community.
• Gain exposure to complex land, development and infrastructure transactions.
• Work closely with senior leaders across the organisation.
• Be supported by experienced legal professionals in a collaborative environment.
• Have opportunities to broaden your practice across planning, governance, commercial, construction and other local government legal disciplines.

Local Government offers a diverse and interesting portfolio of work, giving you exposure to a broad range of legal areas while deepening your expertise. If you’ve ever considered a move into Local Government, this is an ideal time to join us as we grow.

Why City of Moreton Bay?

What you do with your life matters. It’s the same with your career.

We’re the third-largest council in Australia and one of the fastest-growing areas. As Australia’s newest city, we’re building something that’s never been done before: a new kind of city, inspired and empowered by a new kind of council.

This is your opportunity to develop skills and experience in a truly unique place, at a truly unique point in time.

At City of Moreton Bay, we’re focused on the vital work we do today. But we’re also focused on the future. On what can be – for our city, our Council and your career.

Here’s what you’ll love about a career with us:

• See it. To build a city of the future, first, you have to see it. The polycentric city we’re building will bring greater prosperity, sustainability and affordability to our city. This is your chance to contribute to something that’s never been done before.
• Shape it. You’ll get hands-on in a rewarding career, serving and strengthening our communities for today and tomorrow. Our work is diverse, interesting and it matters – and it’s yours to shape and own.
• Live it. Contribute to the city you and your family want to live in and enjoy the lifestyle you deserve. And if you don’t live here, you’ll still find pride and connection in so many ways with our successful, resilient team.

You’ll also enjoy a range of other benefits:

• Find a better work-life balance with a nine-day (72.5-hour) fortnight, plus a hybrid, flexible working environment with some work-from-home days.
• Negotiated salary increases locked in through our EBA - 4% in July 2027 (or CPI capped at 4.5%, whichever is greater).
• Advance your skills and career through our Study, Training And Research Scheme (STARS).
• Make your pay go further with salary packaging options on novated leases, superannuation payments, smartphones and devices.
• Prioritise your health and wellbeing with discounted health insurance, free annual flu vaccinations and our Fitness Passport Program.
• Get support when you and your family need it most with our 24/7 confidential counselling service and Mates in Construction program.
• Our Strathpine office has local parking on site and is close to public transport networks, making for an easy commute.

Ready for a career that matters?

Join City of Moreton Bay, and help shape our city of the future.

As part of the recruitment process, applicants will be required to undergo a National Criminal History Check.

Any questions - please contact our Careers team at *******@moretonbay.qld.gov.au.

For more information about City of Moreton Bay and to stay across what's happening in our city, follow us on LinkedIn.

Your Future City.
See it. Shape it. Live It.

City of Moreton Bay extends across the traditional lands of the Jinibara, Kabi Kabi, and Turrbal peoples, and we acknowledge and pay respects to Traditional Custodians. We believe diversity of thought, background and experience creates better outcomes for our people and communities, and we strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of all ages, genders, abilities and cultural backgrounds.