SENIOR URBAN PLANNER

Brisbane City Council; Brisbane; Hybrid; AUD 116,000 - 128,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

Free gym and wellness centre

Award-winning superannuation fund

Generous leave provisions

Competitive salary

Job summary

Brisbane City Council in Brisbane is seeking a Senior Urban Planner to deliver high-quality development outcomes across Planning Services and Development Assurance. You will assess complex development applications and provide expert planning advice to support Brisbane's growth.

You will apply planning expertise across development assessment, pre-lodgement services, planning advice, infrastructure charging, governance and appeals, negotiating with stakeholders and mentoring the team, in a

Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in complex development assessment and planning legislation.
• Highly developed communication, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to provide trusted, practical and defensible planning advice.
• Proven capability to manage competing priorities and achieve results.
• Sound judgement and confident decision-making in complex planning matters.
• Collaborative leader committed to team success and customer outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Assess and manage complex development applications and provide expert planning advice.
• Contribute to city-shaping decisions across Planning Services and Development Assurance and Outcomes.
• Apply expertise across development assessment, pre-lodgement services, planning advice, infrastructure charging, governance, appeals and planning scheme implementation.
• Negotiate with stakeholders and exercise sound professional judgement to deliver balanced planning outcomes.
• Mentor team members and collaborate with industry, government agencies and the community.

Skills

Complex development assessment

Planning legislation

Communication

Negotiation

Stakeholder engagement

Decision-making

Job description

Personnel Area: City Planning and Economic Development Services

Branch: Development Services

Salary Range: Band 6 ($116,089 - $128,453 per annum) + Super, 17.5% leave loading, additional benefits in a 36.25 hr week. (Remuneration stated is for the full-time positions)

Work type: Temporary Full-time

Duration: Up to 2 years (possible extension/s thereafter)

Number of positions: 2

Location: Brisbane CBD and flexible hybrid arrangements available

Our Branch and Business

Development Services (DS) branch is part of the City Planning and Economic Development Services (CPEDS) Group at Brisbane City Council. DS facilitates high-quality, sustainable development outcomes for Brisbane, through efficient and professional development assessment and management processes, systems and practices.This is achieved by applying key planning policy, including the Brisbane City Plan 2014 and South East Queensland Regional Plan, to ensure that development outcomes align with the themes of Brisbane Vision 2031.

Our purpose is to help create a future Brisbane, embracing its inherent qualities while sustainably growing and shaping the city’s unique identity – its liveability, character, economy and environment.

The Role

As a Senior Urban Planner within Development Services, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality development outcomes for one of Australia's fastest-growing capital cities. Working across Planning Services and Development Assurance and Outcomes, you will assess and manage complex development applications, provide expert planning advice and contribute to city-shaping decisions.

You will apply your expertise across a broad range of planning functions, including development assessment, pre-lodgement services, planning advice, infrastructure charging, governance matters, appeals and planning scheme implementation. You will negotiate with stakeholders, exercise sound professional judgement and help deliver balanced planning outcomes that support Brisbane's future growth.

This role offers the opportunity to influence significant development outcomes, exercise delegated authority, mentor team members and work collaboratively with industry, government agencies and the community.

To be successful you will have:

• demonstrated expertise in complex development assessment and planning legislation
• highly developed communication, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills
• ability to provide trusted, practical and defensible planning advice
• proven capability to manage competing priorities and achieve results
• sound judgement and confident decision-making in complex planning matters
• collaborative leader committed to team success and customer outcomes.

What will you bring?

You are an experienced planning professional who thrives on delivering quality outcomes in a complex and fast-paced environment. With strong development assessment expertise, sound professional judgement and a collaborative approach, you will work on diverse and challenging planning matters that help shape Brisbane's future. In return, you'll join a values-driven organisation where your expertise is trusted, your contribution is valued, and you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on one of Australia's largest and fastest-growing cities.

This role will require a Criminal History Check and applicants must be eligible for full membership of the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA). Current membership is not essential.

Benefits of working for Council include:

• flexible working hours, and flexible arrangements
• free gym and wellness centre
• award winning superannuation fund
• generous leave provisions
• competitive salary.

For more information:Please call Gema Santos on 7 3178 1863.

People from diverse backgrounds, including those living with a disability and/or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who may have questions about the recruitment process or working at Council, are encouraged to reach out to the contact above, who can connect you with a member of Council’s Diversity and Inclusion team.

Application Closing Date: Sunday 15th November 2026 at 11:55pm AEST.

Brisbane City Council is a multi-award winning accessible and inclusive workplace where our people represent the diverse communities we serve, are supported, and can feel safe. Council has been awarded Employer of the Year at the National Disability Awards and has been recognised multiple times with ‘Gold Employer’ status from the Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTI inclusion.

Council and its employees must follow the Public Sector Ethics Act 1994 (Qld) and the Code of Conduct. This means employees are expected to act with honesty, fairness, and always prioritise the public interest over personal or private gain. The Code of Conduct requires employees to openly disclose any other work they do outside of Council — includingpaid or unpaid employment,operatingtheir own business or volunteering in certain circumstances — and to manage any conflictsof interest or other risks (such as fatigue)in a way that puts the public interestfirst.Maintainingemployment outside Council does notpreclude you from being considered for roles within Council.