Growth and Development Officer

Gwydir Shire Council
Bingara NSW

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Job Details

Full-time

Qualifications

Investment
Business development
Diploma
Communication skills

Full Job Description

Position Description

Growth and Development Officer

Position Code

Classification/Grade/Band Local Government (State) Award 2023

Band 3 Level 2 (Grade 8)

Reports to Director of Business and

Strategy

Location Bingara

Content Manager Reference

Direct Reports Nil

Budget (Operating and Capital expenditure) Op up to $500k, Cap up to $50k

Overview of Gwydir Shire Council
Located on the Fossickers Way between the New England and North West regions of

NSW, the Gwydir Shire encompassing a diverse landscape that is both picturesque and

productive. With affordable housing, a strong sense of community and diverse leisure and

recreation activities, the Shire offers an idyllic and fulfilling lifestyle. Bingara and Warialda

are the main towns in the Shire.

The Gwydir Shire Council prides itself on being an award-winning organisation that supports

it community through the provision of high-quality services. Council offers employees a

rewarding career that allows staff to make a positive impact in the communities in which they

live; and provides exciting opportunities to explore and suture career avenues within the

organisation. Council strongly supports a flexible-family work environment.

Gwydir’s Vision
Councils vision is to be a recognised leader in Local Government through continuous

learning and sustainability. Council embraces this mantra by ensuring all staff have access

to training and education, to reach their full potential.

Gwydir’s Misson
To ensure that the Council’s long-term role is viable and sustainable by meeting the needs of

our residents in a responsible and caring way, attract sustainable development while

maintaining the traditional rural values, character and culture of our people.

Child Safety Commitment Statement

Gwydir Shire Council is committed to the safety, wellbeing and empowerment of all children

and young people throughout the Shire, including indigenous children, those from culturally

and linguistically diverse backgrounds and children and youth with disabilities.

All Gwydir Shire Council staff, volunteers and other partners have a zero-tolerance approach

to any form of child abuse in both the physical, psychological and online environments. We

support the rights of children and young people, and we will act immediately and accordingly

to ensure an environment is maintained where they feel safe and secure in reporting

inappropriate behaviour.

We know that being a leading child safe organisation is about more than having the right

policies and procedures in place. It requires conscious actions and proactive behaviours to

protect children from harm. It means creating a culture of safety that extends from

participation and education through to ensuring all members of our organisation feel safe

and secure in reporting inappropriate behaviour.

It is essential that everyone at Gwydir Shire Council understand the important

responsibilities they have in relation to child safety and we are committed to educating our

elected members, employees, volunteers, contractors, consultants, other partners and the

wider community in this regard.

We want children to have a voice and know that their views are listened to and respected

and that they are given opportunities to contribute. Together we can provide an environment

where children feel safe, respected, valued, and encouraged to reach their full potential.

Primary purpose of the position

To drive economic growth and development outcomes across the Shire by identifying,

facilitating and progressing opportunities for housing, investment and industry. The role is

responsible for taking a proactive, delivery-focused approach to unlocking development

opportunities, particularly on Council-owned land, and working with internal and external

stakeholders to attract investment, remove barriers and achieve tangible outcomes that

support the long-term sustainability of the local economy.

Directorate and Department Description
Forming part of the Business and Strategy directorate, the Economic Development function

is responsible for driving sustainable growth across the Shire through the facilitation of

housing, development and investment opportunities. This includes supporting the activation

and development of Council-owned land, attracting new businesses and industry, building

partnerships with government and the private sector, and progressing initiatives that

strengthen the local economy and community sustainability.

Key outcomes and responsibilities
Within the area of responsibility, this role is required to:

 Identify and progress opportunities for the development of Council-owned land, with

a focus on increasing housing supply and facilitating development outcomes in line

with Council priorities.

 Proactively pursue opportunities to attract investment, business and industry to the

Shire, promoting development opportunities and facilitating enquiries through to

delivery.

 Take ownership of key initiatives and drive projects from concept through to delivery,

coordinating internal and external stakeholders to maintain momentum and achieve

outcomes.

 Work collaboratively across Council to identify and remove barriers to development,

ensuring timely and coordinated input from relevant service areas.

 Build and maintain effective relationships with developers, investors, government

agencies and industry stakeholders, representing Council and fostering opportunities

for growth.

 Contribute to initiatives that support population growth, workforce attraction and

economic activity, aligning actions with Council’s strategic priorities.

 Identify and pursue funding opportunities, partnerships and innovative approaches

that support economic growth and development outcomes.

 Support tourism and place-based initiatives where they contribute to broader

economic and development outcomes, working in collaboration with relevant staff.

 Prepare reports, briefings and business cases to support informed decision-making,

ensuring alignment with Council policies, plans and legislative requirements.

 Monitor and report on the progress of projects and initiatives, ensuring a strong focus

on delivery, accountability and measurable outcomes.

Selection Criteria

Essential
 Demonstrated experience in project management, with the ability to progress initiatives from

concept through to delivery.
 Proven ability to work independently, take initiative and drive outcomes with minimal

supervision.
 Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a

range of stakeholders.
 Well-developed communication skills, including the ability to engage confidently with external

parties and prepare clear reports and briefings.
 Demonstrated ability to identify problems, remove barriers and deliver practical solutions.
 Ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain momentum across competing projects.
 Sound level of commercial awareness and problem-solving capability.

Desirable
 Experience in economic development, property, planning, infrastructure, business

development or a related field.

 Understanding of local government processes, legislation and regulatory environments.

 Experience working with or engaging developers, investors, businesses or government
agencies.

 Experience in facilitating development or investment outcomes.

 Knowledge of regional economic challenges and opportunities

Common requirements of the position
 Willingness to have Council conduct a Criminal History Check.
 Agree to undertake a medical assessment by Council’s nominated medical practitioner if

required and to be medically fit to undertake the full requirements of the position.
 Manage projects in accordance with corporate standards.
 Willingness to work flexible hours to meet the requirements of the position.
 Behaviour in accordance with Council’s policies and the Code of Conduct.
 Report environment issues that may become evident when carrying out the position duties.

Qualifications
 Diploma or higher qualification in a relevant field such as business, economics, property,

planning, project management or a related discipline; or
 Equivalent relevant experience demonstrating the required skills and capability.

Capabilities for the position
The Local Government Capability Framework describes the core knowledge, skills and

abilities expressed as behaviours, which set out clear expectations about performance in

local government: “how we do things around here”. It builds on organisational values and

creates a common sense of purpose for elected members and all levels of the workforce.

The Local Government Capability Framework is available at http://capability.lgnsw.org.au

Below is the full list of capabilities and the level required for this position. The capabilities in

bold are the focus capabilities for this position. Refer to the next section for further

information about the focus capabilities.

Local Government Capability Framework

Capability Group Capability Name Level

Manage Self Adept

Display Resilience and Courage Adept

Act with Integrity Intermediate

Personal attributes Demonstrate Accountability Adept

Communicate and Engage Advanced

Community and Customer Focus Adept

Work Collaboratively Intermediate

Relationships Influence and Negotiate Adept

Plan and Prioritise Adept

Think and Solve Problems Intermediate

Create and Innovate Adept

Results Deliver Results Adept

Finance Adept

Assets and Tools Intermediate

Technology and Information Foundational

Resources Procurement and Contracts Intermediate

Focus capabilities
The focus capabilities for the position are those judged to be most important at the time of

recruiting to the position. That is, the ones that must be met at least at satisfactory level for a

candidate to be suitable for appointment.

Local Government Capability Framework

Group and Capability Level Behavioural Indicators

Personal Attributes Adept  Initiates action on team/unit projects, issues
Manage Self and opportunities

 Accepts and tackles demanding goals with
drive and commitment

 Seeks opportunities to apply and develop
strengths and skills

 Examines and reflects on own performance
 Seeks and responds well to feedback and

guidance

Relationships Advanced  Presents with credibility and engages varied
Communicate and audiences
Engage  Translates complex information concisely for

diverse audiences
 Creates opportunities for others to contribute to

discussion and debate
 Demonstrates active listening skills, using

techniques that contribute to a deeper
understanding

 Is attuned to the needs of diverse audiences,
adjusting style and approach flexibly

 Prepares (or coordinates preparation of) high
impact written documents and presentations

Relationships Adept  Builds a network of work contacts/relationships
Influence and Negotiate inside and outside the organisation

 Approaches negotiations in the spirit of
maintaining and strengthening relationships

 Negotiates from an informed and credible
position

 Influences others with a fair and considered
approach and sound arguments

 Encourages others to share and debate ideas

Results Adept  Builds a network of work contacts/relationships
Plan and Prioritise inside and outside the organisation

 Approaches negotiations in the spirit of
maintaining and strengthening relationships

 Negotiates from an informed and credible
position

 Influences others with a fair and considered
approach and sound arguments

 Encourages others to share and debate ideas

Local Government Capability Framework

Group and Capability Level Behavioural Indicators

Results Adept  Produces new ideas, approaches or insights
Create and Innovate  Analyses successes and failures in the

organisation for insights to inform improvement
 Identifies ways in which industry developments

and trends impact on own business area
 Shows curiosity in the future of the community

and region and thinks creatively about
opportunities for the organisation

 Identifies, shares and encourages suggestions
for organisational improvement

 Experiments to develop innovative solutions

Results Adept  Takes responsibility for the quality and
Deliver Results timeliness of the team's work products

 Ensures team understands goals and
expectations

 Shares the broader context for projects and
tasks with the team

 Identifies resource needs, including team,
budget, information and tools

 Allocates responsibilities and resources
appropriately

 Gives team members appropriate flexibility to
decide how to get the job done

Resources Intermediate  Uses a variety of work tools and resources to
Assets and Tools enhance work products and expand own skill

set
 Ensures others understand their obligations to

use and maintain work tools and equipment
appropriately

 Contribute to the allocations of work tools and
resources to optimise team outcomes

Prepared By Director of Business and Strategy

Approved by General Manager May 2026
Date Approved/Reviewed April 2026
Version Number and Date Version 1 – April 2026

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