Principal Urban Planner

• Full-time permanent role (based on 38 hours per week)
• Monthly RDO
• Ability to transfer or take LSL (Long Service Leave) within Local Government

Merri-bek City Council is a progressive council of 195,125 residents: one community, proudly diverse. Our council area sits within the banks of the Merri Creek and the Moonee Ponds Creek, and includes Brunswick, Coburg, Fawkner, Glenroy, Gowanbrae, Hadfield, Oak Park and Pascoe Vale. Our city is vibrant and energetic, known for its active community, cultural diversity, creative industries and the arts.

Our long-term vision has ambitious goals for environmental sustainability, social justice, community wellbeing, and creating great places. With the Civic Centre located in Coburg, 8 kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD, there are excellent public transport options and great food and cafés right at the doorstep.

Merri-bek Council strives to be a contemporary, innovative and collaborative organisation with a deep commitment to engaging and supporting the Merri-bek community. Our organisational vision is to be one team, brave and diverse, making a difference.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive and welcoming workplace. We offer flexible and hybrid work options and genuinely care about providing our staff work/life balance. With the Civic Centre located in Coburg, 8 kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD, there are excellent public transport options and great food, cafés, parks and a cinema right at the doorstep. Merri-bek is a great place to live, work and play.

The Urban Planning Unit is seeking an experienced, confident and autonomous statutory planner to join the team on a fixed-term full-time basis. Merri-bek’s Principal Urban Planners process the largest applications lodged at Council and play an integral role in both shaping the municipality and developing a highly capable and enthusiastic team. You will assess a range of proposals including significant apartment and mixed-use developments,(including Ministerial enquiries and referrals), while assisting the Planning Coordinator and Unit Manager in responding to complex requests from various internal and external stakeholders.

Working in a political and regulatory environment, your sound planning knowledge and problem-solving skills will see you resolve complex and time-sensitive matters, enabling you to present accurate and fearless planning recommendations. Within this role you will be required to supervise and mentor staff, as well as present and defend recommendations at both internal and external decision-making forums such as Council Meetings and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

The Urban Planning Unit is responsible for the provision of a helpful, engaged, accountable, respectful and timely statutory planning service for our community.

• Extensive experience in the field of statutory planning
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple stakeholders and effectively interpret complex planning policy
• Track record in operating within a political and regulatory environment
• Ability to explain planning policy and present recommendations to audiences such as residents, Councillors, other Council and State Officers, and VCAT
• In-depth knowledge of the Victorian Planning &Environment Act 1987

• Monthly RDO
• Extensive opportunities for training & career development
• Salary sacrifice options
• A real sense of work-life balance & flexible work options
• Employer-supported study assistance schemes
• Wellness programs

• Up to 20 weeks primary & up to 5 weeks secondary parental leave
• Purchase leave
• Ceremonial leave
• Gender affirmation leave
• Family violence leave

For further…