Principal Urban Planner

Merri-bek City Council; City of Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 114,000 - 128,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Monthly RDO

Training & career development

Wellness programs

Job summary

Merri-bek City Council is seeking an experienced statutory planner to join the Urban Planning Unit on a fixed term, full‑time basis. You will assess major developments, guide responses, and advise on planning policy within a political and regulatory setting.

You will supervise staff, present recommendations at Council and VCAT, and support the Planning Coordinator and Unit Manager in complex stakeholder engagements. A collaborative, inclusive workplace awaits.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in statutory planning.
• Able to manage multiple stakeholders and interpret complex policy.
• Proven track record in political/regulatory environments.
• Able to explain planning policy to audiences such as residents, Councillors, other Council and State Officers, and VCAT.
• In‑depth knowledge of the Victorian Planning & Environment Act 1987.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Assess a range of proposals including significant apartment and mixed‑use developments, including Ministerial enquiries and referrals.
• Supervise and mentor staff within the unit.
• Present and defend recommendations at Council Meetings and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
• Assist the Planning Coordinator and Unit Manager with complex requests from internal and external stakeholders.
• Operate effectively in a political and regulatory environment to resolve time‑sensitive matters.

Skills

Statutory planning

Stakeholder management

Policy interpretation

Public speaking

Planning Act knowledge

Written and verbal communication

Job description

• Full-time permanent role (based on 38 hours per week)
• Monthly RDO
• Ability to transfer or take LSL (Long Service Leave) within Local Government

• Hybrid Working
• Full-time permanent role (based on 38 hours per week)
• Monthly RDO
• Salary: $114k - $128k + Super
• Ability to transfer or take LSL (Long Service Leave) within Local Government

About Merri-bek City Council

Merri-bek City Council is a progressive council of 195,125 residents: one community, proudly diverse. Our council area sits within the banks of the Merri Creek and the Moonee Ponds Creek, and includes Brunswick, Coburg, Fawkner, Glenroy, Gowanbrae, Hadfield, Oak Park and Pascoe Vale. Our city is vibrant and energetic, known for its active community, cultural diversity, creative industries and the arts. Our long-term vision has ambitious goals for environmental sustainability, social justice, community wellbeing, and creating great places. With the Civic Centre located in Coburg, 8 kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD, there are excellent public transport options and great food and cafés right at the doorstep.

Merri-bek Council strives to be a contemporary, innovative and collaborative organisation with a deep commitment to engaging and supporting the Merri-bek community. Our organisational vision is to be one team, brave and diverse, making a difference.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive and welcoming workplace. We offer flexible and hybrid work options and genuinely care about providing our staff work/life balance. With the Civic Centre located in Coburg, 8 kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD, there are excellent public transport options and great food, cafés, parks and a cinema right at the doorstep. Merri-bek is a great place to live, work and play.

About the role

The Urban Planning Unit is seeking an experienced, confident and autonomous statutory planner to join the team on a fixed-term full-time basis. Merri-bek’s Principal Urban Planners process the largest applications lodged at Council and play an integral role in both shaping the municipality and developing a highly capable and enthusiastic team. You will assess a range of proposals including significant apartment and mixed-use developments,(including Ministerial enquiries and referrals), while assisting the Planning Coordinator and Unit Manager in responding to complex requests from various internal and external stakeholders. Working in a political and regulatory environment, your sound planning knowledge and problem-solving skills will see you resolve complex and time-sensitive matters, enabling you to present accurate and fearless planning recommendations. Within this role you will be required to supervise and mentor staff, as well as present and defend recommendations at both internal and external decision‑making forums such as Council Meetings and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

The Urban Planning Unit is responsible for the provision of a helpful, engaged, accountable, respectful and timely statutory planning service for our community.

Skills and experience required to perform the role

• Extensive experience in the field of statutory planning
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple stakeholders and effectively interpret complex planning policy
• Track record in operating within a political and regulatory environment
• Ability to explain planning policy and present recommendations to audiences such as residents, Councillors, other Council and State Officers, and VCAT
• In‑depth knowledge of the Victorian Planning &Environment Act 1987
• Excellent written and verbal communication

What the role can offer

• Monthly RDO
• Extensive opportunities for training & career development
• Salary sacrifice options
• A real sense of work‑life balance & flexible work options
• Employer-supported study assistance schemes
• Wellness programs

Further support offered for our staff

• Up to 20 weeks primary & up to 5 weeks secondary parental leave
• Purchase leave
• Ceremonial leave
• Gender affirmation leave
• Family violence leave

For further information about this position please contact Esha Rahman, Planning Coordinator, on 9240 1266 or by emailing ****@merri-bek.vic.gov.au

Applications close: 11:30pm, Tuesday 6 October 2026.
*in the case that we receive a high volume of applications, we reserve the right to close this advertisement before the current closing date.

Our Commitment

In May 2021, Merri-bek Council adopted a revised Statement of Commitment to Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung People and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of the municipality. The statement recognises the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as the traditional owners of the lands and waterways of our municipality.

Merri-bek City Council is committed to being a Child Safe Organisation and has zero tolerance for child abuse. We believe children and young people have the right to be and feel safe and that their safety and wellbeing is the responsibility of everyone. You can read more about our Child Safety Commitment Statement on our website.

Merri-bek City Council is proudly diverse and an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, people with disability, and people from every culture, sexuality and gender identity, age and ethnic background. Merri-bek City Council is a Child Safe organisation.

Merri-bek is focused on diverse representation of the community we serve. With this we value lived experience that could contribute to the shaping of this role and in turn will continue to provide representation and growth of safe and inclusive work culture.