You will play a pivotal role in ensuring the timely, efficient and accurate assessment and determination of development applications, delivering high-quality outcomes that protect our natural environment while supporting sustainable growth and enhancing the built environment.
In this position, you will lead a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team responsible for Development Assessment, Urban Release Area management and pre-lodgement services within the statutory planning framework. You will drive operational excellence, adapt to evolving planning reforms and ensure service delivery aligns with legislative requirements, ministerial expectations and Council priorities.
As an experienced leader, you will foster a high-performing and customer-focused culture while championing continuous improvement. You will proactively identify opportunities to enhance processes, improve customer experience and ensure compliance with relevant legislation, policies and best practice planning principles.
This role plays a key part in delivering positive development outcomes for the community and contributes to the team's vision of Creating a Better Shellharbour.
You will hold degree qualifications in Urban and Regional Planning or a related discipline, together with extensive experience in development assessment and statutory planning.
Your proven ability to lead, mentor and support a professional technical team will be complemented by strong stakeholder engagement, sound decision-making skills and a commitment to delivering exceptional planning outcomes.
Team Benefits:
We pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment, offering:
- Genuine work-life balance with flexible working arrangements
- A values-oriented culture that promotes teamwork
- Opportunities for continuous professional development and growth
- A commitment to high levels of technological innovation and advanced systems
Join us in making a tangible impact on our community while developing your career in a rewarding and innovative environment.
About us:
Shellharbour City, located in the Illawarra region, is just 80 minutes south of Sydney and is home to over 86,000 people in a city that spans 154 square kilometres. It's an area of great natural beauty - stretching west from the picturesque coastline to rolling pastures, set against the majestic backdrop of the Illawarra escarpment.
Our dedication to be financially sustainable in an evolving environment, while striving for a great organisational culture and committing to employing staff who embrace our core values, has made Shellharbour City Council an employer of choice.
We have been recognised with numerous state and national awards in recent times, including eight wins for our First Nations Community the Yirran Muru (many pathways) playspace, as well as being presented as winners in the NSW Landscape Architecture Awards, Regional Achievement Awards, and Parks and Leisure Australia Regional Awards of Excellence.
We offer:
Shellharbour City Council offers a high performing and sustainable organisation to deliver outcomes for the community through leadership, collaboration and innovation. We have exciting, rewarding career opportunities and flexible working arrangements to support a healthy work/life balance.
- Permanent full time, 35 hours per week with flexi-time & hybrid work options
- Salary range from $135,665 up to $149,785 per annum, plus 12% superannuation
- A Market Rate Allowance may be offered to suitable candidates
- Plus Fully maintained leaseback vehicle at $122 per week OR vehicle allowance of $10,780 per annum
- Plus benefits including novated leasing, retail discounts, corporate fitness programs, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) support & Learning & Development opportunities
- Plus Annual Award Increases & Bi-annual bonus payments & weekly pay run
- Plus a range of local government benefits, including annual leave + 1 weeks flexible 'My Leave', health & wellbeing initiatives as well as generous parental & sick leave entitlements.
Please Note: This position requires a National Police History Check clearance.
For further information about the position, click here for the position description.
Contact: For general recruitment enquiries, contact [email protected]
For specific role enquiries, contact Jasmina Micevski, Executive Manager Statutory Planning and Certification on 0436 698 728.
Closing date: Wednesday, 2 September 2026 at 11:30pm.
Apply now...
Complete the application below by answering the questions, describing how your skills and experience are relevant to the position.
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For further information about the selection process including tips on how to address the selection criteria, please view our Guide to Applying.
Shellharbour City Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values the unique strengths and talents of all people. Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and people with a disability are encouraged to apply.
At Shellharbour City Council we promote respect at work as a fundamental right for all and strive to create a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. This commitment extends to the promotion of the rights of all children and young people to be safe from harm when interacting with our services and spaces. Our values, Collaboration, Accountability, Integrity, Respect and Sustainability underpin all we do.
Your decision to apply for a role at Shellharbour City Council is the first step in acknowledging your alignment to our values and aspirations to create a great workplace.
