- Competitive annual salary commencing at $120,225, plus up to 14% superannuation
- Great range of additional benefits, including health & wellness programs, salary sacrifice options, salary packaging arrangements and a fortnightly RDO
About the Region
Gympie is at the heart of a rapidly expanding region which stretches from rural valleys in our western reaches to the Cooloola Coast. Bordering Noosa and Fraser Coast Local Government areas, we are uniquely positioned to grow whilst still retaining our country charm. Our borders with North and South Burnett, and the Somerset Local Government areas link with our rural lifestyle, where you can enjoy our picturesque smaller townships, or our abundant local history. Our local festivals such as the Gympie Music Muster are renowned both nationally and internationally.
For someone seeking a high quality of life, with pristine natural areas and spectacular beaches, all within reach of Noosa, the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane, we are offering this unique opportunity.
Remuneration: Annual salary commencing at $120,225, plus up to 14% superannuation
Closing Date: Sunday 21st June 2026 at 11.00pm AEST
No late applications will be accepted. Only applications received via Council's online application system will be considered. Unsolicited applications from agencies will not be considered.
Role Overview
Lead and deliver Council’s Planning Scheme review, amendment program, strategic planning policy framework and Local Government Infrastructure Plan (LGIP) in accordance with legislative requirements.
The role is responsible for ensuring Council’s planning scheme and associated policies are contemporary, compliant and aligned with State and regional planning directions while also ensuring alignment between land use planning, infrastructure planning and long-term growth outcomes.
The position provides expert advice on statutory planning matters, leads planning policy and planning scheme projects, and manages delivery through internal resources and external consultants, with a focus on supporting Council’s vision for the region.
The position will advocate for Council’s strategic planning priorities and regional interests in external policy discussions.
Essential Knowledge & Skills:
- Tertiary qualifications in Urban Planning or a related field.
- Extensive experience leading the preparation and delivery of planning scheme reviews and amendments, and development of strategic planning policy within a local government or similar environment.
- Demonstrated experience in infrastructure planning frameworks, including Local Government Infrastructure Plans (LGIP) or similar statutory infrastructure planning processes.
- Strong knowledge of the legislative planning framework, including the Planning Act 2016, State Planning Policy, regional plans and statutory planning scheme processes.
- Demonstrated experience interpreting and responding to State and Federal government policy, legislative and regulatory reforms, including preparation of submissions and provision of strategic planning advice.
- Proven ability to provide high-level strategic and technical advice to senior management, Councillors and external stakeholders on complex planning and policy matters.
- Extensive experience managing complex, multidisciplinary planning projects, including planning scheme programs, policy development and planning studies, delivered through internal teams and external consultants.
- Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively to engage, influence and negotiate outcomes with Councillors, senior management, government agencies and industry stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to prepare high-quality written material, including Council reports, policy documents, submissions, correspondence to government agencies, and training material for internal and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to coordinate competing priorities, manage risk and deliver outcomes within agreed timeframes, scope and budget.
- Demonstrated experience in working independently or in a team in a professional manner with the ability to be tactful and discrete when dealing with matters of a sensitive and confidential nature.
- Demonstrated proficiency in the use of computer applications, including the Microsoft Office suite and relevant systems to support project management, financial administration (including invoice processing) and budget monitoring.
- Queensland ‘C’ Class driver’s licence that is current and maintained.
Essential Requirements:
- Lead and coordinate the preparation, implementation, review and ongoing maintenance of Council’s Planning Scheme, including amendment packages and full scheme review.
- Lead and coordinate the development, review and ongoing maintenance of Council’s Local Government Infrastructure Plan (LGIP).
- Ensure alignment between the LGIP, Planning Scheme and Council’s growth management and infrastructure planning frameworks.
- Ensure all statutory processes are undertaken in accordance with legislative requirements.
- Act as the senior authority and provide expert advice on matters relating to Council’s Planning Scheme.
- Lead the preparation, enhancement and implementation of Council’s strategic planning policy framework, including planning studies and supporting policy documents.
- Coordinate planning scheme inputs arising from strategic planning projects and investigations.
- Manage delivery of Planning Scheme, LGIP and planning policy projects through internal teams and external consultants.
- Provide strategic and expert advice to senior management and Council on implications of proposed policy and legislative changes, including risks, opportunities and implementation considerations. Lead community and stakeholder engagement processes for Planning Scheme review and policy development.
- Design and deliver internal training on Planning Scheme amendments and reforms.
- Coordinate Council’s input into State and Federal planning policy, legislative and regulatory reforms, including preparation of submissions, advocacy and representation in regional and industry forums.
- Develop and maintain productive and positive professional relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including government agencies.
- Engage effectively with Councillors, Executive Leadership Team, State agencies and industry stakeholders.
- Represent Council in regional forums, working groups and industry bodies (e.g. LGAQ, State agency consultation groups).
- Provide professional leadership, mentoring and technical guidance to planning staff.
- Lead and coordinate the program of work in the team, including prioritisation and work programming, delivery risks, and budget input and expenditure tracking.
- Contribute to corporate processes relative to the Branch, including Operational Plan reporting and Branch Business Plan preparation.
- Contribute and support productivity and process improvements by assisting in continuous improvement projects within the Community Sustainability Directorate.
- Perform any other duties that are reasonably within the competency, skills and training of the incumbent.
Who to Contact
For information regarding the requirements of this role, please contact Council's Manager Strategic Planning & Growth via email [email protected]
For assistance lodging your application using Council's online system, please contact Council's Officer Recruitment, Sue Rossi on 07-5481 0971 or email [email protected]
What we offer?
- Nine day fortnight
- Access to employee health and well-being programs
- Fitness Passport: work out at over 25 local gyms for you and your family at a subsidised rate
- Long service leave after seven years
- Generous superannuation scheme of up to 14 per cent
- Access to salary sacrificing and salary packaging arrangements
- Employee assistance program offering free confidential counselling services for employees and their families.
Our Values
- Accountability
- Communication
- Customer Service Focused
- Integrity
- Teamwork and Collaboration
You will be assessed on your understanding of these values and how you have applied values such as these in your previous employment.
Our Process
Successful applicants will be required to undertake various checks such as skills, qualifications, reference, medical and national police.
Keen to apply? - Simply follow the instructions below:
1) Download and review the above
2) Complete the information below as requested using your personal email.
3) Click 'APPLY'
4) Attach your resume, covering letter and a single document containing copies of your qualifications, licences or tickets as applicable.
5) Click 'NEXT' and 'CONFIRM'
Please note before continuing: It is advisable that you prepare your responses in a separate word or text document, saving your work as you go and that you then copy and paste this prepared information in the form before completing the application process. Please keep your responses to a maximum 300 words for each question.
Applications close on Sunday 21st June 2026 at 11.00pm AEST. No late applications will be accepted. Only applications received via Council's online application system will be considered.
Gympie Regional Council is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, and our people represent the community which we service. We invite all suitably qualified applicants to apply, including First Nations People, and people from diverse social, cultural and gender backgrounds.
