Planning & Environment Specialist

AusNet Services Ltd; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

AusNet Services Ltd is seeking a Planning & Environment Specialist to support the Transmission business across the full asset lifecycle. Based in Victoria with hybrid working options, the role focuses on statutory approvals, regulatory compliance, and ecosystem planning across land and heritage matters.

You will work with project teams to secure approvals, develop strategies, and coordinate with consultants and regulators to ensure compliant, timely delivery of infrastructure projects.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in planning, environmental management or similar is required.
• Experience as a Statutory/Environment Planner or Advisor or similar.
• Experience with Planning and Environment Act 1987 and related legislation is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice on land, planning, heritage and ecology approvals and regulatory compliance for project teams.
• Collaborate with Development, Delivery and Operations to ensure approvals are in place.
• Develop planning and approvals strategies and submissions frameworks.
• Prepare statutory materials (planning, heritage, ecology) and environmental referrals.
• Review third party approval documentation and ensure AusNet scope is covered.
• Engage and manage planning, environment and heritage consultants.
• Build relationships with land and planning stakeholders (DTP, DECCA, VicGrid, EPA, Heritage Victoria).
• Oversee planning, heritage and environment monitoring and compliance.
• Contribute to commercial and contractual documents related to planning matters.
• Identify process improvements to streamline approvals and compliance.
• Share knowledge to improve organisational understanding of planning requirements.

Skills

Statutory planning

Environmental compliance

Regulatory submissions

Stakeholder engagement

Technical report writing

Education

Tertiary qualification in planning, environmental management or similar

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Location: Victoria, Australia

Employment Type: Permanent Full Time

Description:

We bring the energy!

Through purpose and people- not just through the infrastructure weoperate, but through the way we show up for each other, ourcustomers’and our communities. The future of energy is in our hands.Let’sshape it together.

We all want a future of energy we can be proud of. With us you can.

Join our Transmission business as a Planning & Environment Specialist and play a key role across the full asset lifecycle, from Development and Delivery through to Operations & Maintenance.

As a subject matter expert within the Engagement, Land & Planning team, you’ll provide statutory and specialist advice across land, planning, heritage and ecology approvals, regulatory compliance, and strategic projects. You’ll also have the opportunity to shape better ways of working and develop processes that support the future of our Transmission business.

Based in Southbank, with hybrid working available, three days in the office and two from home.

What you’ll be doing in this role:

• Provide expert advice on land, planning, heritage and ecology statutory approvals and regulatory compliance to assist project teams in the resolution of significant planning, heritage and environment matters.
• Work closely with the Development, Delivery and Operations and Maintenance teams to ensure appropriate approvals are in place.
• Prepare and implement planning and approvals strategies, regulatory and legislative submissions and approval frameworks.
• Undertake the preparation of statutory materials (planning, heritage, ecology), environmental referrals, permit applications and other approvals as required.
• Undertake reviews and provide advice on third party (customer, VicGrid) approval documentation to ensure AusNet's scope of works are considered.
• Engage and manage planning, environment and heritage consultants to assist the projects.
• Develop strong relationships and liaise closely with relevant land and planning stakeholders, including DTP, DECCA, VicGrid, EPA, Heritage Victoria, and municipal councils.
• Oversee planning, heritage, environment monitoring and compliance.
• Provide input into commercial and contractual documents associated with planning and environmental matters, as required.
• Identify and implement process improvements to streamline approvals and compliance during Development, Delivery, Operations and Maintenance.
• Improve organisational understanding of planning and environmental approval requirements through guidance, knowledge sharing and support to project teams.

You don't need to check every box; however, we are looking for a good combination of:

• Tertiary qualification in planning, environmental management or a similar discipline (Required).
• Demonstrated experience as a Statutory/Environment Planner or Advisor or similar
• Demonstrated experience and subject matter expertise in:
  • Planning and Environment Act 1987, Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 and Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2018, Heritage Act 2017 and, Environment Effects Statement process
  • Relevant Victorian and Federal legislation including approval processes
  • Managing approvals, planning permits applications for lang use, works, vegetation removals and subdivisions.
• Ability to translate technical information into recommendations
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and logically about statutory planning matters, particularly in written report formats and offer clear advice to stakeholders for successful project delivery.

Additional Knowledge, Skills and Experience (preferred but not mandatory):

• Knowledge of the Victorian Flora and Guarantee Act of 1998
• Knowledge of the Electricity Industry Act 1993 Sect 43 and Electricity Industry Act 2000 Sec 93
• Knowledge of the Environment Protection Act 2017
• Knowledge of the implementation of the planning schemes in relation to large-scale infrastructure projects and energy projects.

The AusNet experience is all about…

• Growing your impact: We’ll support you to build your career through real opportunities and strong connections.
• Solving some of the most complex energy challenges of our time:We love unpacking complex challenges in clever ways and looking at things differently.
• Building an energy future to be proud of:We’re a trusted leader, with deep expertise, driven to do what’s right for our communities and customers.

We’re committed to building an inclusive culture and a diverse workforce. We believe different perspectives are essential to our success, and we encourage all applicants to apply. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, we're happy to discuss how we can support you.