Senior Development Planner

Sutherland-Shire-Council; Sydney; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fitness passport

Employee assistance program

Annual flu shots

Health and wellbeing programme

Novated lease options

Job summary

Sutherland Shire Council in Sydney seeks a Senior Development Planner to guide development processes, provide expert advice to Planning Managers and the Director of Planning, manage development applications, and prepare comprehensive reports for decision-makers.

You will rotate across teams, liaise with stakeholders, negotiate outcomes, and may act as Team Leader. A strong urban planning background and experience with environmental law and Land and Environment Court matters are essential.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in Urban Planning or related field.
• Significant experience in local government planning functions.
• Strong knowledge of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979.
• Experience in dealing with Land and Environment Court matters.
• Negotiation or mediation qualifications, and additional qualifications in urban design or ecological assessment will be highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Lead the management of development applications from initiation to completion, coordinating with stakeholders.
• Provide expert guidance to Planning Managers and the Director of Planning.
• Produce high-quality reports for planning panels and committees.
• Liaise with stakeholders, negotiate outcomes, and act as an expert witness when necessary.

Education

Tertiary qualifications in Urban Planning or related field

Significant experience in local government planning functions

Strong knowledge of Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979

Experience in Land and Environment Court matters

Job description

• Provide expert guidance on development-related matters to ensure informed decision-making.
• Lead the management of development applications from initiation to completion, coordinating with various stakeholders.
• Produce high-quality reports for planning panels and committees to facilitate clear communication of assessments.
• Deliver exceptional customer service, offering expert advice on processes and regulations in the Sutherland Shire.

About Us

Sutherland Shire Council is committed to enhancing the quality of life for our community through effective planning and development services. Our team works collaboratively to ensure that development aligns with the needs and aspirations of our residents.

Joining us means being part of a forward-thinking organisation that values innovation, sustainability, and community engagement. We are dedicated to providing opportunities for professional growth and development.

About The Role

The Senior Development Planner plays a crucial role in guiding the development process within the Sutherland Shire. This position involves providing expert advice to Council’s Planning Managers and the Director of Planning, managing development applications, producing comprehensive reports, and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation. The role also includes liaising with stakeholders, negotiating outcomes, and acting as an expert witness in legal proceedings when necessary.

In this position, you will rotate through teams to support the efficient functioning of the development services unit, ensuring responsiveness to changing business needs. Your leadership capabilities will shine as you may also act as Team Leader when required.

Who We're Looking For

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in urban planning, with significant experience in assessing and reporting on complex development applications. You should possess excellent project management skills, a thorough understanding of relevant legislation, and the ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders.

• Tertiary qualifications in Urban Planning or a related field.
• Significant experience in local government planning functions.
• Strong knowledge of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979.
• Experience in dealing with Land and Environment Court matters.

Candidates with negotiation or mediation qualifications, and additional qualifications in urban design or ecological assessment will be highly regarded. Your ability to interpret legislation and make sound decisions will be essential in this role.

Benefits and Package

• Get your application in by 11.59pm: Wednesday 28 October2026
• Package: An attractive salary package will be negotiated with the successful candidate.
• Hours of work: Permanent Full Time Working 35 hours per week. You will have the option of a 19 day month with Council's ADO system (Accrued Day Off).
• To benefit your wellbeing you will have access to fitness passport, employee assistance program, annual flu shots, health and wellbeing programme and novated lease options.

Suitable candidates are subject to pre-employment screening which includes Reference Checks, Work Rights Verification, Identity and Functional/Medical History Checks, and will also include a Criminal History, Qualification and Working with Children Check. Employment is subject to clearance of all these checks.

Council is a Child Safe Organisation and is committed to ensuring the NSW Government’s Child Safe Standards are incorporated in our procedures, practices, programs, and events.

Sutherland Shire Council values the skills and attributes Veterans can bring to our Council. We understand that transitioning to roles outside of Defence can feel challenging. If you're unsure where to begin or would appreciate guidance throughout the application process, please don't hesitate to contact us.

About Sutherland Shire Council

Sutherland Shire is a unique area in greater Sydney. Boasting iconic beaches,stunning coastline,vibrant town centers,and incredible national parks. All just 26 km from the CBD. As one of the largest Councils inNSW,we're home to a growing and connected community of more than 230,000 people.

Watch the video to hear from our people about the wide range of projects we're delivering forour community.

It's a great time to join our team and do work that matters.

Sutherland Shire Council collects personal information from applicants as part of its recruitment and selection processes. This information may include your name, contact details, employment history, qualifications, skills, referee details, screening information, interview notes and any other information you provide in support of your application.

Council collects this information for the purpose of assessing your suitability for employment, administering the recruitment process, communicating with you about your application, conducting pre-employment checks, verifying information provided by you, meeting legal and governance obligations, and maintaining recruitment and employment records.

Your personal information may be used by Council employees, panel members, hiring managers, Human Resources staff and other authorised persons involved in the recruitment process. Council may also disclose relevant personal information to third parties where reasonably necessary for recruitment-related purposes, including referees, pre-employment screening providers, medical assessment providers, background checking providers, recruitment system providers, or where required or authorised by law.

If you do not provide the information requested, Council may be unable to properly assess or progress your application.

Council will manage personal information in accordance with the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (NSW), applicable privacy requirements, Council’s Privacy Management Plan and relevant records management obligations.

By submitting an application for employment with Council, you acknowledge and agree that Council may collect, use, store and disclose your personal information for the purposes outlined in this notice and for related recruitment, employment, governance and legal purposes.

You also declare that the information provided in your application is true, accurate and complete to the best of your knowledge, and acknowledge that providing false or misleading information may result in your application being withdrawn from consideration or, if employed, may result in action being taken by Council.

• Yes I agree to the privacy statement *