Principal Planner

Job Number:

500909

The Details:

• Contract till 30th June 2026 | Full Time | 9 day fortnight
• $129,747pa + 12% super (level 8)
• 72.5 hour fortnight
• Hybrid, flexible working environment, including some work from home days.
• Location: Caboolture King Street, walking distance to train station and on-site parking

Join City of Moreton Bay as a Principal Planner – Biodiversity and help shape and enhance our communities for today and tomorrow.

Our challenge is to protect and enhance our lifestyle while sensitively planning for anticipated growth. Through the Corporate Plan 2022–2027, our Council has set an aspirational vision for how we want our region to look and feel 20 years from now - Our Moreton Bay. Amazing Places. Natural Spaces.

This vision is underpinned by goals to support biodiversity because of its importance to our communities and for ensuring a healthy environment and sustainable lifestyle. Further, Council has adopted its Environment and Sustainability Strategy 2042, which provides a roadmap to guide the actions of Council and our communities to deliver our vision and the Our Healthy Environments goal and outcomes.

The Environment and Sustainability Policy and Planning Department sits within the Planning Directorate and takes a lead role in developing strategic environmental and sustainability policies, projects and plans to deliver healthy environments and sustainable, resilient outcomes. The Department focuses on meeting legislative requirements, community aspirations and Council priorities across three branches: Sustainability Planning, Natural Hazards Planning and Biodiversity Planning.

As a Principal Planner – Biodiversity, you will:

• Take a lead role in developing strategic biodiversity planning policy and providing guidance to support a variety of land-use planning initiatives. A key priority for this short term role will be contributing to City of Moreton Bay's New Planning Scheme program, with ongoing input to other city-shaping projects as needed, including growth areas, neighbourhood and precinct planning.
• Serve as a trusted technical authority, providing leadership in biodiversity and environmental planning, with a current focus on integrating biodiversity interests into land-use planning.
• Provide expert advice on legislative, policy and business requirements to support informed decision-making across internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Manage the delivery of highly complex projects, including the management of specialist project teams and external consultants where required.
• Work collaboratively as part of the Biodiversity Planning team to deliver aligned biodiversity planning program outcomes, including guiding and supporting other team members where required.
• Build and maintain strong relationships across diverse internal and external stakeholders to achieve strategic objectives and foster collaborative approaches.
• Act as a departmental delegate and advocate for biodiversity outcomes across a range of projects and activities, influencing decisions and ensuring alignment with branch positions, Council's strategic direction and compliance with legal obligations.

What we're looking for

• Substantial experience in integrating biodiversity outcomes into strategic land-use planning outcomes.
• Degree in land-use and/or environmental planning, biodiversity or related discipline
• Proven ability to deliver complex projects in time-critical environments with competing stakeholder interests.
• Strong knowledge of environmental and land-use planning principles and frameworks.
• Experience working within a government and political context.
• Exceptional communication skills, with ability to simplify complex concepts and negotiate sustainable outcomes.
• High-level stakeholder engagement and consultation experience.
• Collaborative and adaptable professional who thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Passionate about sustainability and biodiversity with a strategic mindset.

Position Description_Principal Planner -

Why City of Moreton Bay?

What you do with your life matters. It's the same with your career.

We're the third-largest council in Australia and one of the fastest-growing areas. As Australia's newest city, we're building something that's never been done before: a new kind of city, inspired and empowered by a new kind of council.

This is your opportunity to develop skills and experience in a truly unique place, at a truly unique point in time.

At City of Moreton Bay, we're focused on the vital work we do today. But we're also focused on the future. On what can be – for our city, our Council and your career.

Here's what you'll love about a career with us:

• See it. To build a city of the future, first, you have to see it. The polycentric city we're building will bring greater prosperity, sustainability and affordability to our city. This is your chance to contribute to something that's never been done before.
• Shape it. You'll get hands-on in a rewarding career, serving and strengthening our communities for today and tomorrow. Our work is diverse, interesting and it matters – and it's yours to shape and own.
• Live it. Contribute to the city you and your family want to live in and enjoy the lifestyle you deserve. And if you don't live here, you'll still find pride and connection in so many ways with our successful, resilient team.

You'll also enjoy a range of other benefits:

• Find a better work-life balance with a nine-day (72.5-hour) fortnight, plus a hybrid, flexible working environment with some work-from-home days.
• Advance your skills and career through our Study, Training And Research Scheme (STARS).
• Make your pay go further with salary packaging options on novated leases, superannuation payments, smartphones and devices.
• Prioritise your health and wellbeing with discounted health insurance, free annual flu vaccinations and our Fitness Passport Program.
• Get support when you and your family need it most with our 24/7 confidential counselling service, leader support hotline and Mates in Construction program.
• Our Caboolture office has local parking on site and is close to public transport networks, making for an easy commute.

Ready for a career that matters?

Join City of Moreton Bay, and help shape our city of the future.

As part of the recruitment process, applicants will be required to undergo a National Criminal History Check.

To obtain further details please contact our Careers team at

Your Future City.

See it. Shape it. Live It.

City of Moreton Bay extends across the traditional lands of the Jinibara, Kabi Kabi, and Turrbal peoples, and we acknowledge and pay respects to our Traditional Custodians. We believe diversity of thought, background and experience creates better outcomes for our people and communities, and we strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of all ages, genders, abilities and cultural backgrounds.

Advertised:

19 Nov 2025

Applications close:

30 Nov :55