Principal Strategic Planner

City of Latrobe, Pa.; Morwell; Hybrid; AUD 101,000 - 123,000; Full time

Job summary

Latrobe City Council in Morwell, VIC, is seeking a Principal Strategic Planner to lead and coordinate the growth and development agenda across the municipality. The role focuses on residential expansion, precinct planning, and development contributions while guiding strategic frameworks to balance housing, infrastructure and environment.

The successful candidate will be a senior member of the Strategic Planning team, providing mentorship and high‑level advice to enable well‑served communities.

Qualifications

• Degree or Diploma in Town Planning suitable for corporate membership of the Planning Institute of Australia.
• Experience in local government planning and policy development.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high‑quality outcomes.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning projects to facilitate residential growth and development.
• Deliver Planning Scheme Amendments, including proponent-led amendments.
• Provide high-level advice on land use, growth management and infrastructure planning.
• Engage with community, agencies, developers and internal stakeholders.
• Mentor planning team members and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Strategic planning

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Degree or Diploma in Town Planning

Job description

Do you want to make an IMPACT? Principal Strategic Planner Morwell – Latrobe City Council Headquarters | Full Time – 38 Hours per week Temporary – 2 Year position | Band 7A: $111,798.28 per year Hybrid working arrangements, with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office as part of our approach to collaboration and team connection. We’re seeking a Principal Strategic Planner to help lead and coordinate Latrobe City’s growth and development agenda. The role will focus on planning for residential expansion, preparing Precinct Structure Plans, developing Development Contribution Plans, processing proponent led Planning Scheme Amendments and advancing strategic planning projects that enable well‑served and connected communities. As a senior member of the Strategic Planning team, you’ll influence major growth decisions across the municipality and help deliver the long‑term vision for Latrobe City. You’ll work on complex projects that balance housing demand, infrastructure provision, economic development and environmental outcomes, while ensuring growth is planned, sustainable and supported by robust strategic planning frameworks.

Why Join Us at Council?

When you join Latrobe City Council, you’ll make a real impact in your community while working in an inclusive, supportive and child safe environment that values your growth and wellbeing.

We offer:

• Opportunities to support your learning, development and career progression
• A collaborative team environment where you’ll feel supported and connected
• Meaningful work where you can make a difference in the community
• A positive and inclusive workplace culture
• Flexible working arrangements to support your work‑life balance

Join a team that supports you to thrive and empowers you to grow your career, right here in the heart of Gippsland.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead and deliver strategic planning projects that facilitate residential growth, housing supply, economic development and the sustainable expansion of Latrobe City.
• Lead the delivery of Planning Scheme Amendments, including proponent‑led amendment requests, working closely with landowners, developers, government agencies and key stakeholders to facilitate residential growth, urban expansion and the implementation of Council’s strategic planning objectives.
• Provide high‑level strategic planning advice on land use, growth management, settlement planning, infrastructure planning and development opportunities across the municipality.
• Engage and collaborate with the community, government agencies, developers, infrastructure providers and internal stakeholders to support the planning and delivery of sustainable growth.
• Mentor and support planning team members while contributing to innovation, continuous improvement and the delivery of strategic planning objectives across the service.

About You

You are a knowledgeable and forward-thinking planning professional who enjoys finding practical solutions to complex land use and development challenges.

You bring strong strategic thinking, project management and stakeholder engagement skills, and are passionate about creating sustainable and thriving communities.

You thrive in a collaborative environment and can confidently communicate planning concepts to a wide range of audiences.

Key Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated experience managing strategic planning projects and Planning Scheme Amendments within a public and/or private sector environment.
• Proven experience across a broad range of planning application and development types with a specific focus on urban growth.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage competing priorities and deliver high‑quality planning outcomes.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills with the ability to achieve positive community outcomes.

Essential Requirements

• Degree or Diploma in Town Planning suitable for corporate membership of the Planning Institute of Australia.
• Demonstrated experience in local government planning, including policy development, development controls and strategic planning projects.

We encourage applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences, even if you don’t meet every requirement. Successful applicants will be required to apply for and satisfactorily obtain a National Police Check and Working with Children’s Check.

Interested or want to learn more? Contact Lorrae Dukes - Coordinator Strategic Planning on 0427 800 632. All discussions about recruitment at Council are confidential.

We’re looking forward to receiving your application by 5.00pm on Friday 30 October 2026.

Belonging at Latrobe City Council

At Latrobe City Council, we are committed to creating a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace where everyone feels they belong. We have zero tolerance for child abuse and are committed to maintaining a child safe organisation. Our recruitment practices reflect this.

We value diversity and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and identities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We are committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process and offer support through our Indigenous Employment Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants. For further information, contact [e-mail] or 1300 367 700.

If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact our Careers team at [e-mail] or 5128 6113.