Principal Planner – Growth Area

Monash University; Geelong; On-site; AUD 98,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Greater Geelong is seeking a senior town planning professional to join Growth Area planning, assessing and delivering clear planning advice to applicants, the community and other key stakeholders. As a senior team member, you’ll manage key projects across Geelong, applying deep expertise to shape and innovate our planning approach.

Preferred qualifications include a tertiary qualification in town planning or urban studies and extensive local government planning experience, with

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in town planning or urban studies.
• Theoretical and practical expertise in interpreting town planning legislation and practice.
• In-depth understanding of local government operations and the Victorian planning system, preferably with growth area experience.

Responsibilities

• Assess and determine development applications, including growth area proposals, ensuring compliance with legislation.
• Prepare clear, professional correspondence relating to Council decisions and public enquiries.
• Coordinate input from government agencies and the community to meet statutory timeframes.
• Support the public with planning enquiries.
• Represent the City of Greater Geelong at public forums, legal proceedings and appeal hearings.
• Act as a Team Leader as required for limited periods.

Skills

Analytical skills

Investigative skills

Communication skills

Mentoring/Staff development

Negotiation

Conflict resolution

Education

Tertiary qualification in Town Planning/Urban Studies

Job description

Job no: 500835
Work type: Permanent Full Time
Classification: Band 7 - $109,342.91 pa plus super
Categories: Urban Design, Planning & Growth

About the role

In this role, you will join a high-performing team specifically in Growth Area planning, and you will be assessing, managing and delivering clear planning advice to applicants, the community and other key stakeholders in areas strategically identified in our growing municipality.

As a senior team member, you’ll manage key projects across the City of Greater Geelong, bringing your deep expertise to provide advice and help determine, shape and innovate our planning approach.

Key responsibilities include:

• Assess and determine development applications, including a mix of growth area proposals, ensuring compliance with legislation and making timely, balanced decisions.
• Prepare clear, professional correspondence relating to Council decisions and public enquiries.
• Coordinate input from government agencies and the community to meet statutory timeframes.
• Support the public with planning enquiries.
• Represent the City of Greater Geelong at public forums, legal proceedings and appeal hearings.
• Act as a Team Leader as required for limited periods.

About you

To be successful in this role, you will have a tertiary qualification in town planning or urban studies (or related field) and extensive experience in a local government town planning space.

• A tertiary qualification (Town Planning, Urban Studies or similar)
• Theoretical and practical expertise in interpreting town planning legislation and practice.
• In-depth understanding of local government operations, the Victorian planning system preferably with growth area experience and associated legal processes.
• Demonstrated analytical, investigative and communication skills.
• Previous experience mentoring and developing staff.
• Proven ability to negotiate effectively and resolve conflict.

Preferred candidates will be required to undergo a National Police Check as part of the recruitment process (funded by the City).

Child Safety Responsibilities

We are committed to being a child-safe organisation and have zero-tolerance for child abuse. We have specific policies, procedures, and mandatory training in place to support employees, volunteers, and contractors to achieve and adhere to these commitments. Please read our Child Safe Standards Management Policy .

Diversity and Inclusion

At the City we want a workforce that reflects the community we live in. We welcome and embrace everyone, all people with their own unique experiences, and support and encourage all our employees to do their best work, have equal access to opportunities and a just working environment. For this reason, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from First Nations people, people with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, from the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disability and people of all genders, ages and diverse experience.

We are the City

From parks to offices, childcare centres to works depots, leisure facilities to the Wool Museum and waterfront, our team plays a vital role in shaping our vibrant and growing community. Our community counts on us to get the essentials right while looking for ways to go beyond. By listening, collaborating, and focusing on sustainability, we strive to do the basics brilliantly and create a lasting impact. If you’re ready to be part of something bigger, join us in shaping the future of Geelong.

We support accessibility and encourage discussions about any adjustments or support you may need during the recruitment process.

We collect demographic data to help us learn who our advertisements are reaching and how we can reach an even more diverse audience. We are committed to building a more diverse team. Your responses to our demographic questions are strictly confidential and will not be individually shared.

Advertised: 16 Sep 2026 9:00 AM AUS Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: 01 Oct 2026 11:55 PM AUS Eastern Standard Time

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We Acknowledge the Wadawurrung People as the Traditional Owners of the Land, Waterways and Skies. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present. We Acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are part of our Greater Geelong community today.