Work Type: Permanent Full Time

Location: Emerald

Department: Communities

Remuneration: Stream A, Level 7: $107,253.24 - $112,867.62 per annum + superannuation (5% Salary Increase from mid-July 2025)

Are you an experienced Senior Planner looking to expand and solidify your career in a leadership role?
Central Highlands Regional Council is seeking a Principal Planner - Development Assessment to join a small yet highly productive professional team of planners in Emerald. Remote Working will also be considered for the right applicant.

This exciting opportunity will allow you to:

• Embrace the opportunity to work on a diverse range of development assessment applications of varying complexities across the residential, commercial and industrial planning space.
• Communicate your technical expertise on complex planning concepts and matters with Council members, the community and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to Councils' strategic planning initiatives and focus on business improvement processes.
• Develop and mentor the small planning team to deliver work of a high calibre, complying with relevant legislation, statutory timeframes and in accordance with Council policies. You will directly supervise a small number of staff.

To be considered for this opportunity, you will need to possess:

• Minimum of Queensland C Class provisional drivers licence.
• A degree level qualification in Urban and Regional Planning or equivalent discipline.
• A record of high performance in the assessment of development applications for a diverse range of complex development proposals.
• Extensive experience in managing, reviewing and improving development assessment processes, ideally 5+ years with preference for recent Queensland based experience.
• Recent experience of leading a team.
• Extensive professional town planning experience within Local Government or private sector.
• Experience in developing and achieving strategic goals and ability to effectively manage change.
• Demonstrated experience in operating in politically sensitive environments.
• Expertise in negotiating positive outcomes with high level customers.

If this sounds like you, apply now!

Working for Central Highlands Regional Council has its benefits.

We are a progressive region, committed in creating opportunities for all. We welcome forward thinking individuals who are focused on continuous improvement, a sustainable future and understand the valuable role we play in investing in our regional community.

Benefits Include:

• A generous superannuation scheme
• 5 weeks annual leave with 17.5% leave loading
• Fortnightly RDO’s
• Flexible working arrangements may be considered for the successful applicant
• Annual uniform allocation
• Payroll deductions and salary sacrifice options
• Wages paid fortnightly
• Employee Assistance Program
• Fitness passport eligibility

To apply for this position:

As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from diverse backgrounds.

Please download and review the position description.

To be considered for this position, please include the following documents:

1. A cover letter outlining your motivation for applying for this position
2. Your resume detailing your career history relevant for this position

Applicants who are progressed to the next stage of the recruitment process will be invited to participate in a shortlisting process.

Eligibility & Pre-employment Checks

To be appointed to a permanent position, you must be an Australian citizen, or have permanent residency status, or hold a visa permitting you to work in Australia permanently. If you have a visa permitting you to work temporarily in Australia, you may be appointed to a position on a temporary basis, providing the work complies with the conditions of your visa.

The pre-employment checks relevant to this position include:

• Right to Work in Australia
• Medical assessment
• Qualification check
• Reference and licence checks

For a confidential discussion, please contact a member of the Recruitment Team on 1300 242 686 during business hours or register your application by submitting your cover letter and resume.

Applications close: Monday 07 July 2025 at 12noon.

Please note - applicants may be contacted and progressed through the recruitment process prior to the closing date.