- $139,978 to $148,325 per annum, plus superannuation
- Full-time, permanent
- CBD location
As the capital city of Western Australia, the City of Perth is a Local Government that is ambitious for the future. To achieve our aims, we recruit the very best people who understand the City exists to enable and deliver the aspirations of the community.
The Opportunity
As a Principal Urban Planner in the City of Perth, you would lead and manage a highly skilled and passionate statutory planning team in delivering high-quality outcomes in the built environment that respond to the City’s planning priorities, ensuring the city grows as a vibrant place to live, work, and visit while fulfilling its role as the capital of Western Australia.
The role is responsible for the City’s planning approvals function, ensuring the effective, timely and compliant assessment of planning applications within a very complex statutory and regulatory environment.
Reporting to the Alliance Manager Development Approvals within our Planning and Sustainability Alliance, your responsibilities would primarily include:
- Ensuring the planning approvals function aligns with the City’s strategic planning framework and organisational priorities;
- Exercising responsibility for the statutory planning team’s timely and accurate processing of applications, referrals, correspondence and all other customer enquiries in accordance with the City’s legislative obligations, policy requirements and customer service expectations;
- Leading the team to set performance objectives, through identification of development needs, tracking of performance and provision of mentoring and coaching;
- Applying expert judgement towards the reviewing and processing of very complex development applications and referrals; and
- Establishing and maintaining strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure a collaborative and integrated approach to high quality development outcomes.
About You
To succeed in this role, you will possess:
- A tertiary qualification in town planning;
- Proven and diverse experience in statutory planning assessments pertaining to large scale and complex proposals;
- A comprehensive understanding of the legislative responsibility and processes that relate to urban planning and local government;
- Extensive experience at a senior level in government or similar organisations and gaining the cooperation of key stakeholders to resolve complex technical and regulatory matters; and
- Experience in leading as well as mentoring people and teams.
If your experience and capabilities match these criteria, we welcome your application.
Above all, you will live our values of Commitment, Teamwork, Courage and Respect that allow us to come together to lead and support the community.
Please view the attached Application Pack to learn more about the role and working at the City.
Eligibility
To be eligible to work for us, you will need to demonstrate:
- A right to work in Australia (e.g. a birth certificate, current passport or current visa); and
- A satisfactory National Police Clearance (dated within 3 months).
How to Apply
When prompted, please submit: your current resume; a cover letter that concisely addresses the Selection Criteria; and any relevant qualifications or certifications. Remember, less is more!
The Application Process
Applications for this position will close at 5PM AWST on Sunday, 9 August 2026. Applications may be considered, and interviews conducted prior to, the closing date.
Please note: The advert may close earlier than the listed closing date should suitable applications be received, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Applicants may also be considered for similar positions within the City of Perth.
We’re continuing to build a gender-equitable team and a culture that’s just as diverse, inclusive and welcoming as the City of Perth Community. We encourage applications from people of all ages, cultures (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples), abilities, sexual orientation and gender identities.
Canvassing of Elected Members during the recruitment process will disqualify your application.
For further information please contact Julia Kingsbury, Alliance Manager Development Approvals, 08 9461 3470,
[email protected] .
