Town Planner Development Assessment

Tweed Shire Council; Murwillumbah; On-site; AUD 102,000 - 118,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base salary 102k–117k AUD

12% super

Permanent full-time

70-hour 9-day fortnight

Training & development

Flexible work options

Job summary

Tweed Shire Council in Murwillumbah is seeking a proactive Town Planner to lead the full development application process—from assessment to compliance—while shaping key planning policies and strategies. You will collaborate across Council divisions, engage with the community and external stakeholders, and represent Council in legal proceedings and planning panels.

This high-impact role requires expertise in legislation, negotiation and strategic thinking, with mentoring of junior planners and

Qualifications

• Knowledge of planning frameworks and statutes.
• Ability to interpret LEPs and DCPs.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full development application process from assessment to compliance.
• Shape LEPs, DCPs and planning policies guiding sustainable growth.
• Collaborate with diverse teams, community stakeholders, and government agencies.
• Represent Council in planning panels and legal proceedings.

Skills

Planning legislation

Negotiation

Strategic thinking

Mentoring junior planners

Job description

Join our team as a proactive and solutions-focused Town Planner, leading the full development application process—from assessment to compliance—while shaping key planning policies and strategies. You'll collaborate across Council divisions, engage with the community and external stakeholders, and represent Council in legal proceedings and planning panels. This is a high-impact role where your expertise in legislation, negotiation, and strategic thinking will help drive smart, sustainable development. You’ll also mentor junior planners and contribute to shaping the Division’s future through policy input and budget planning.

About the role:

Join our team as a proactive and solutions-focused Town Planner, leading the full development application process—from assessment to compliance—while shaping key planning policies and strategies. You'll collaborate across Council divisions, engage with the community and external stakeholders, and represent Council in legal proceedings and planning panels. This is a high-impact role where your expertise in legislation, negotiation, and strategic thinking will help drive smart, sustainable development. You’ll also mentor junior planners and contribute to shaping the Division’s future through policy input and budget planning.

What's on offer:

• a base salary ranging from $102,118 per annum with competency-based increments up to $117,528 per annum, plus 12% super
• a permanent full-time position
• 70-hour, 9 day fortnight
• training and development opportunities
• flexible work options for a healthy work/life balance
• generous employment conditions (we have too many to list - click here for more).

We are seeking:

• Leadership in managing the entire development application and assessment process—shaping impactful planning outcomes.
• Have input into development and refinement of Local Environmental Plans (LEPs), Development Control Plans (DCPs), and innovative planning policies that guide sustainable growth.
• Collaborate closely with diverse teams, community stakeholders, and government agencies to deliver coordinated and effective development solutions.
• Serve as a trusted expert on planning legislation, skilfully navigating complex issues and representing Council in high-profile legal and planning forums.

About us:

• Located on the picturesque far North Coast of NSW, bordering the Gold Coast.
• The Tweed is a vibrant, diverse location offering a lifestyle near the water, in a rainforest or on a farm.
• Tweed Shire Council is committed to employment equity and diversity and encourages applications from people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds in both traditional and non-traditional roles. We provide workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options.
• Join an employer of choice. Professionals Australia (Local Government Engineers’ Association) has named Council the 2021 Employer of Choice for our great employment practices within NSW local government.

Where it's located:

This position is based in Murwillumbah and can be directed to work from any Council work site.

Position closes:

Friday 21 August 2026 at 12 noon sharp (NSW time). Late applications will not be permitted.