Strategic Planner - Yeppoon Location

Precruitment; Rockhampton Regional; On-site; AUD 106,000 - 113,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance available

4 weeks annual leave

17.5% annual leave loading

Salary packaging options

Flexible work arrangements and 4-day/5

Fortnightly RDOs

Job summary

Livingstone Shire Council is seeking an experienced Strategic Planner based in Yeppoon, Queensland. You will lead strategic planning initiatives across land use, housing and infrastructure, providing high-level advice to Council and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders to guide sustainable growth.

The role offers a permanent full-time position with 72.5 hours per fortnight and a competitive salary. Relocation assistance and flexible work options are available.

Qualifications

• Degree in Urban and Regional Planning or equivalent.
• Experience in strategic or statutory planning with complex projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop and progress strategic planning frameworks across land use, growth and development.
• Deliver informed planning guidance to Council officers and external stakeholders.
• Drive complex strategic projects such as residential growth and infrastructure coordination.
• Facilitate meaningful consultation with communities and agencies.
• Prepare briefing papers, reports and presentations for decisions.

Skills

Strategic planning

GIS

Spatial analysis

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Project delivery

Education

Urban and Regional Planning degree

Tools

GIS applications

Electronic planning platforms

Job description

Strategic Planner - Livingstone Shire Council - Based in Yeppoon, Queensland

Livingstone Shire Region

Livingstone Shire is a vibrant coastal region in Central Queensland, known for its relaxed lifestyle, strong communities and outstanding natural environment. Centred around Yeppoon and extending across the Capricorn Coast, the region brings together beautiful beaches, national parks, rural landscapes and growing townships, all within easy reach of Rockhampton.

The Shire continues to attract residents, businesses and investment, creating exciting opportunities for well-planned growth and long-term development. With a strong focus on liveability, sustainability and preserving the character that makes the region unique, Livingstone offers the best of coastal living alongside genuine economic and community opportunity. It is a region with momentum, ambition and an enviable lifestyle.

Role Overview

This is a hands-on strategic planning role for an experienced professional who wants to influence how Livingstone Shire grows and evolves. Reporting to the Principal Strategic Planner, you will lead and support major planning initiatives across land use, housing, infrastructure and environmental resilience, while providing high-level advice, engaging with stakeholders and using planning data and digital tools to guide sound decisions. The role offers the opportunity to shape practical, forward-looking outcomes that support sustainable growth, strong communities and the long-term future of the region.

• Salary range: $105,594 - $112,584
• 12.5% employer superannuation
• Permanent full-time position
• 72.5-hours per fortnight
• Fortnightly RDO
• Ability to bank RDOs
• 4 weeks annual leave
• 17.5% annual leave loading
• Salary packaging options
• Relocation assistance available
• Flexible work arrangements and compressed work week can be discussed
• Opportunity to play an important role in shaping the future growth and development of Livingstone Shire

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and progress strategic planning frameworks, policies and initiatives that guide future land use, growth and development across the region.
• Deliver informed and practical planning guidance to Council officers, senior leaders, elected representatives and external stakeholders.
• Drive complex strategic projects across areas such as residential growth, infrastructure coordination, environmental adaptation and local area planning.
• Design and facilitate meaningful consultation processes that encourage participation from communities, agencies, industry and other interested parties.
• Produce clear, well-researched briefing papers, Council reports and presentations to support informed decisions on planning and development matters.
• Analyse demographic information, development patterns, legislative reform and emerging planning challenges to inform future policy direction.
• Apply spatial technologies and online planning systems to investigate land use issues, interpret data and strengthen planning recommendations.
• Build productive working partnerships across Council and with State agencies, developers, consultants, industry bodies and community organisations.
• Promote coordinated planning outcomes by considering the relationship between future development, infrastructure provision, environmental values, economic activity and community needs.

Qualifications and Experience

• A recognised degree in Urban and Regional Planning, Town Planning or another relevant discipline.
• Strong professional experience across strategic or statutory planning, with demonstrated involvement in complex projects, policy preparation and the application of planning requirements.
• Proven capability to deliver planning projects requiring research, spatial investigation, consultation and consideration of wider infrastructure or community impacts.
• Sound working knowledge of contemporary planning principles, statutory frameworks and the legislation governing land use and development.
• Confidence working within a local government environment where technical recommendations may need to account for legislative, community and elected-member considerations.
• Highly developed communication skills, including the ability to produce concise professional documentation and explain technical planning issues to varied audiences.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in building consensus, managing competing viewpoints and achieving productive outcomes through consultation and negotiation.
• Practical experience working with GIS applications, electronic planning platforms and other technology used within modern planning environments.
• Well-developed organisational and project delivery skills, including the capacity to progress multiple priorities and substantial pieces of work concurrently.

Highly Desirable

• Further postgraduate study in planning, environmental planning, urban development or another complementary field.
• Current professional affiliation or recognised accreditation through the Planning Institute of Australia.
• Previous involvement in preparing long-range planning strategies that connect development patterns with infrastructure investment, environmental considerations and community priorities.
• Advanced capability with spatial information systems, online consultation technology or electronic development and planning platforms.
• Additional qualifications, training or substantial practical experience in consultation, workshop facilitation, mediation or participatory planning processes.

Learn More About Livingstone Shire Council

Please visit the Livingstone Shire Council website to learn more about the organisation, community and Council's strategic direction.

"https://www.livingstone.qld.gov.au/Home"

Closing Date - Friday 2nd October 2026 -

Please note - Applications for this position may be assessed as they are submitted.