Senior Planning Appeals Advisor

Overview

Senior Planning Appeals Advisor at Blacktown City Council. Blacktown City is a growing and thriving city located halfway between Sydney City and the Blue Mountains. With 450,000 residents, it is the largest and most diverse city in NSW, spread across 54 suburbs. The city is vibrant, dynamic and multicultural, home to a large First Nations community and people from more than 180 birthplaces and languages. The regional economy is $24.8 billion with about 35,000 businesses. Working at Blacktown City Council provides opportunities as we transform Blacktown City and Western Sydney toward a modern city with opportunities for residents and businesses.

Blacktown City Council strives to be an inclusive workplace and welcomes applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, the LGBTIQ+ community, veterans and people with disabilities.

About the opportunity

This is a permanent, full-time opportunity for a passionate senior-level planner. In this role you will contribute knowledge and strategic acumen as you act as an advisor to the Corporate Counsel team. You will learn from our in-house legal experts—the Executive Corporate Counsel, Senior Lawyer and Manager of Planning—and you will liaise with external firms, developers and engineers to support community interests and meet smart planning objectives for our city. You will often act as the key planning expert on appeals, review Class 1 appeals, gather data, analyse plans and DA submissions, prepare SOFACs, attend Section 34 conferences and support our lawyers and external firms in the Land and Environment Court.

The preferred candidate will

• Ensure planning matters are correctly and appropriately assessed in relation to compliance with relevant controls
• Prepare documents including those to be filed in Court on behalf of Council
• Make recommendations on amendments to systems, processes and workflow to accommodate the needs of internal and external stakeholders
• Manage and coordinate the work of consultants (e.g. Town Planners, Environmental specialists) to ensure the effective defence of appeals
• Ensure processes are implemented correctly and in a timely manner using Council's business process management system
• Ensure all stakeholders are appropriately consulted

Essential qualifications and experience

• Degree qualifications in Town Planning or a related field
• Extensive experience in planning-related matters
• Current class C driver's licence

Desirable

• Superior level of knowledge of applicable legislation/regulations
• High level knowledge of New South Wales (NSW) Planning Legislation and related policies
• High level understanding of the processes and procedures of the NSW Land and Environment Court
• Demonstrated commitment to customer service
• Ability to work within a team environment

Remuneration and benefits

The salary and conditions of employment are in accordance with Blacktown City Council's Enterprise Agreement.

• Entry level for this position starts at $2,252.09 per week
• 35-hour working week
• Car allowance
• Opportunity to participate in Council's flextime arrangement
• Employee benefits such as leave entitlements (where applicable), 12% employer contribution payable to your nominated superannuation fund, Fitness Passport, gym membership discounts, and social clubs

Our commitment to safety

Blacktown City Council is committed to safety. We have introduced alcohol and other drug testing at the pre-employment phase, and via a series of random and cause testing. We are a child-safe organisation that supports and promotes the safety, wellbeing and empowerment of children.

Position description

Click here to view or download the position description.

Apply now

Apply using our fast and easy online application process:

• Have your resume and any other relevant documentation ready to attach
• Have a personal email address ready to use and complete your application without logging out of the system
• Review the questions and decide on your responses before commencing your application

Best of luck.

Closing date: Friday 12 September 2025, 11:59 pm

Contact officer: Boris Koytz on 9839 6000

Internal ref: BCC559

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