Principal Environmental Approvals Adviser

Redland City Council; Redland City; On-site; AUD 119,000 - 126,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

Generous leave entitlements

Flexible working options

Employee benefits

Parental leave

Job summary

Redland City Council is seeking a Principal Environmental Approvals Adviser to lead environmental, planning and heritage approval pathways for major wastewater projects. You will provide expert technical reviews of assessments and submissions, engage with regulators, and coordinate with project teams to secure timely approvals.

The role requires significant experience in environmental approvals, strong regulatory knowledge, and a collaborative leadership style to drive sustainable outcomes for

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading environmental, planning and heritage approvals for complex projects.
• Proven ability to secure approvals with government agencies and regulators.
• Strong knowledge of Commonwealth, State and Local Government environmental and planning legislation.
• Experience preparing environmental assessments, approvals and supporting technical documentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead environmental, planning and heritage approval pathways for major wastewater projects.
• Provide expert advice and technical review of assessments and submissions.
• Identify approval risks and develop practical strategies for timely outcomes.
• Engage with State and Federal regulators and agencies to secure approvals.
• Coordinate with project teams and consultants to deliver approvals and compliance.

Skills

Environmental approvals

Regulatory strategy

Stakeholder engagement

Project leadership

Technical advisory

Education

Environmental Science degree

Job description

Principal Environmental Approvals Adviser

Principal Environmental Approvals Adviser(201932)

Permanent Full Time-36.25 hours per week

$118,666.78to$125,907.88Annually+ 13% super

Redland City Council offers you the chance to improve lives and shape your own career… on beautiful Redlands Coast.

Redlands is proud to rank among Queensland’s Top 5 local government areas for wellbeing in the SGS Cities and Regions Wellbeing Index - confirming our community as a great place to live, work, and grow.

Join our team as a Principal Environmental Approvals Adviser

Play a pivotal role in delivering the environmental approvals that will support Redland City's future growth. As Principal Environmental Approvals Adviser, you'll lead the environmental, planning and heritage approvals process for major wastewater infrastructure projects, working closely with State and Federal regulators, industry specialists and key stakeholders. This is a unique opportunity to apply your expertise in environmental approvals, strategic planning and stakeholder engagement to help deliver critical community infrastructure while influencing sustainable outcomes for generations to come.

Your responsibilities will include:

Environmental Approvals Leadership - Lead environmental, planning and heritage approval pathways for major wastewater infrastructure projects.

Trusted Technical Adviser - Provide expert advice and technical review of environmental assessments, planning documentation and approval submissions.

Regulatory Strategy - Identify approval risks and develop practical strategies to achieve timely and sustainable outcomes.

Agency Engagement - Build and maintain strong relationships with State and Federal government agencies, regulators and approval authorities.

Approvals & Offsets Management - Support and lead approval applications, offsets strategies, EPBC referrals and associated management plans.

Project Coordination - Collaborate with project teams, consultants and stakeholders to drive approvals and project delivery.

Environmental Compliance - Develop and oversee Environmental Management Plans, procedures and compliance requirements.

Monitoring & Assurance - Monitor project environmental performance, manage audits and ensure approval conditions are achieved.

Skills and experience:

Significant experience managing environmental, planning and heritage approval processes for complex projects.

Demonstrated success securing and negotiating approvals with government agencies and regulators.

Strong knowledge of Commonwealth, State and Local Government environmental and planning legislation.

Experience preparing environmental assessments, approval applications and supporting technical documentation.

Proven ability to identify risks, develop mitigation strategies and influence successful project outcomes.

Experience preparing and managing EPBC referrals, offsets strategies and environmental management plans.

Strong stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to build trusted relationships across government, consultants and project teams.

Ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams and consultants to deliver approvals within tight timeframes.

Make sure to read the full Position Descriptionbefore applying - it outlines everything you need to tailor your resume and cover letter.

Why this role stands out:

Lead complex State and Federal approvals for critical infrastructure

Drive strategic outcomes that benefit a growing community

Enjoy flexibility, career development and generous employee benefits

Working for us means enjoying diverse work and gaining opportunities to grow in a region of outstanding natural beauty - Redlands Coast. In return for your passion and commitment to making a meaningful and ongoing contribution to our naturally wonderful community, we offer great benefits and the balance you need to bring the best you.

More reasons to love working with us:

• Professional development – job-specific training, study assistance, leadership and critical skills programs, plus access to an extensive range of online courses through LinkedIn Learning. We invest in your growth from day one.
• Generous leave entitlements including 4 weeks annual leave with leave loading, 15 days personal/carer’s leave, 14 weeks paid parental leave, and additional flexible leave options to support your lifestyle.
• Rewarding role-specific allowances recognising the responsibilities, skill, and impact of your position.
• Mental health and wellbeing support – access to EAP, external providers, training, and awareness programs to foster openness and reduce stigma.
• Exclusive employee lifestyle perks – discounts, cashback, health benefits, and savings on essentials, travel, tech, dining, and car ownership through novated leasing, plus employee banking benefits.
• Flexible working options – access RedFlex, offering flexibility in how, when, and where you work.
• Optional purchased leave available after probation.
• Incentives for returning from parental leave including credited leave and superannuation benefits.

View more great employee benefits

Who we are:

Redland City Council is a local government organisation proudly serving the Redlands Coast community. From maintaining roads, parks, waterways and islands, to delivering essential services like waste, water, libraries, and community events - we support the city’s day-to-day life and long-term growth. With over 1,200 employees across diverse teams, we’re committed to shaping a thriving, sustainable region that our community is proud of.

• You'll possess a relevant tertiary qualifications in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, or a related field (eg. Urban and Regional Planning/ Town Planning)
• You'll have a Current 'C' class Driver's Licence
• Successful applicants will be asked to consent to a criminal history check. Please note that people with criminal records are not automatically barred from applying for this position. Each application will be considered on its merits.
• To be eligible for employment, applicants must have the legal right to work in Australia.

For more information about this position (201932), please contact Raymond Stephensonon (07) 3829 8***. Applications for this position close at 11:59 p.m. Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) on 28/10/2026.

At Redland City Council, we’re committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, supported and able to contribute to their full potential. We value the unique perspectives and experiences our people bring to serving our community.

To support an inclusive recruitment experience, please let us know if you require any adjustments during the recruitment or interview process by contacting