Principal Development Planner

Mackay Regional Council; Mackay Regional; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

4 or 5 weeks annual leave with leave 载

Job summary

Mackay Regional Council in Mackay CBD is seeking a Principal Development Planner to lead complex statutory planning matters and mentor a team of planning professionals. This senior role offers autonomy, influence and the opportunity to shape growth in a liveable coastal region.

You will provide technical leadership, advise on planning strategies, and collaborate with applicants, consultants and councils. A long-term career with stability and regional impact awaits.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Urban & Regional Planning (Degree preferred; Associate Degree accepted).
• Current QLD C-Class Driver Licence.
• Extensive statutory and strategic planning experience.
• Leadership experience.
• Strong relationship and stakeholder engagement skills.
• High-level communication, report writing and negotiation abilities.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and corporate systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior leadership, coaching and technical guidance to a team of planning professionals.
• Lead service improvements for timely, transparent and high-quality development assessment outcomes.
• Ensure projects and assessments are completed within required timeframes and in line with legislation and Council priorities.
• Promote a safe, healthy and inclusive workplace.
• Take lead on complex development applications with strong technical judgement and balanced decisions.
• Provide clear written and verbal advice to applicants, consultants, internal teams and community stakeholders.
• Review assessments for consistency and quality.
• Contribute to strategic planning, policy development and initiatives for future growth of the Mackay region.
• Build productive industry relationships and negotiate practical, well-reasoned planning outcomes.
• Other duties as directed within the scope of the role.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Relationship management

Communication

Negotiation

Mentoring

Education

Urban & Regional Planning degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Corporate systems

Job description

Vacancy: Principal Development Planner (DPE301)

Classification: Level 7 - Stream A
Status: Permanent Full-Time
Program: Development Planning & Engineering
Department: Planning, Growth & Sustainability
Location: Mackay CBD

About this Opportunity

Are you an experienced development planning professional looking for a role where your expertise will genuinely shape a growing region? Mackay Regional Council is seeking a Principal Development Planner to take on a highly influential Mackay-based role within our Development Planning and Engineering Program.

This is a rare opportunity to lead complex statutory planning matters, provide trusted technical advice, mentor other planning professionals and influence quality development outcomes across one of Queensland's most liveable coastal regions.

For the right candidate, this role offers the scope, autonomy and professional challenge of a senior planning position, backed by the stability, lifestyle and community impact of local government.

What You Will Be Doing

Leadership

• Provide senior leadership, coaching and technical guidance to a capable team of planning professionals.
• Lead service improvements that support timely, transparent and high-quality development assessment outcomes.
• Ensure projects and assessments are completed within required timeframes and in line with relevant legislation, service standards and Council priorities.
• Promote a safe, healthy and inclusive workplace.

Technical

• Take the lead on complex and significant development applications, including matters requiring strong technical judgement and balanced decision-making.
• Provide clear written and verbal advice to applicants, consultants, internal teams, elected representatives and community stakeholders.
• Review assessments for consistency and quality.
• Provide specialist input into strategic planning, policy development and initiatives that support the future growth of the Mackay region.
• Build productive industry relationships and negotiate practical, well-reasoned planning outcomes.

Other

• Other duties as directed within the scope of the role.

About You

You may be an experienced senior planner ready for your next step, or an established Principal Planner seeking a role with greater influence, lifestyle balance and long-term stability. You will bring strong statutory planning expertise, sound professional judgement and the confidence to work through complex matters with applicants, consultants, internal teams and community stakeholders. Just as importantly, you will enjoy mentoring others and helping create a positive, capable and solutions-focused planning team.

If you are looking for more than just another planning role, this position offers the chance to be a trusted technical leader, contribute to region-shaping decisions and see the real-world impact of your work in the community.

Essential Qualifications, Experience & Skills

• Tertiary qualification in Urban & Regional Planning (Degree preferred; Associate Degree accepted).
• Current QLD C-Class Driver Licence.
• Extensive statutory and strategic planning experience.
• Leadership experience.
• Strong relationship and stakeholder engagement skills.
• High-level communication, report writing and negotiation abilities.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and corporate systems.

Desirable Attributes

• Local government planning experience.
• Eligibility for PIA membership.
• Qualifications in leadership or business management.

Why Work for Mackay Regional Council?

Mackay Regional Council offers the opportunity to build a meaningful career while enjoying the lifestyle advantages of a thriving regional coastal city. Based in the Mackay CBD, you will work close to beaches, rainforest, the Whitsundays, regional communities and major industry hubs, with the support of an organisation committed to delivering services and infrastructure that matter.

• Competitive Stream A, Level 7 base annual salary of $124,445.70.
• Up to 18% superannuation, conditions apply.
• Choice of 4 or 5 weeks annual leave with 17.5% leave loading.
• Up to $10,000 relocation assistance.
• Flexible work arrangements, including a 9-day fortnight roster.
• Professional development and study assistance.
• Wellbeing initiatives, employee assistance program and active social clubs.

Important information for applicants

To be considered for this position, all candidates must have the appropriate working rights for Australia. Your Australian work rights will be verified during the recruitment process.

Applicants who progress beyond the interview stage will be required to undergo a pre-employment process, which includes comprehensive Pre-Employment Medical Assessments (inclusive of Drug and Alcohol testing) and a criminal history check.

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer, where all applicants are treated fairly and respectfully and have equal access to all available opportunities. At Mackay Regional Council, diversity is about creating a respectful and inclusive workplace that recognises our employees' unique contributions and perspectives, working together to deliver extraordinary results.