Principal Planner

City of Stonnington is a child safe and equal opportunity employer committed to an equitable, diverse and socially inclusive work environment and a positive, barrier-free recruitment process. We actively encourage applicants from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, people living with disability, LGBTIQ+ and people from culturally diverse backgrounds to explore the opportunity of a career at the City of Stonnington.

Here at the City of Stonnington we aspire to be a leading local government authority and to do this we need the very best people who share our belief in community and who want to make a difference. We value everyone's contributions, lived experience and expertise. We provide an inclusive and respectful workplace culture where everyone is supported to thrive and be authentic. There is a variety of benefits available for our people have a look at "Why Stonnington".

If you have any support or access requirements, or would like to speak to someone about employment or an alternative processes, please contact Council's Talent Acquisition team on

Please view the below documents for this position:

• Success Profile
• Inherent Requirements

The Principal Planner provides high-level expertise and leadership within the City Planning Department, ensuring the delivery of high-quality planning outcomes that align with the organisation's strategic objectives and statutory responsibilities. You will support the statutory planning team by providing specialist advice, mentoring and guidance, while driving process improvements to enhance efficiency, consistency and compliance.

The Principal Planner engages effectively with internal and external stakeholders, representing the Council in complex planning matters with professional integrity.

This is an exciting opportunity to work within a highly regarded Local Government Planning team where you will have the opportunity to represent Council at VCAT, provide specialist advice and expertise and gain access to leadership and acting opportunities internally.

You are required to:

• Implement the Statutory Planning functions of Council and provide an efficient, accurate and effective service to the community.
• Process complex permit applications within the statutory framework of State planning legislation to guarantee an efficient, high quality and professional planning service is provided.
• Provide professional and efficient analysis and advice on planning applications, planning scheme requirements and policies to the public and planning applicants.
• Provide mentoring and support to planning staff to build their technical capabilities and confidence, leading to more consistent and efficient planning assessments
• Take a lead role in managing a diverse range of high profile projects which contribute positively to the development of a stronger, more viable City of Stonnington.
• Actively contribute to the development of an integrated and efficient streamlined development approvals system.

This is a permanent full time position with an annual salary range of $111,411 - $123,743 per annum + 12 % superannuation.  You are based within our bright, modern and sustainable 311 Glenferrie Road office on the corner of High Street and Glenferrie Road in Malvern where boutique stores, cafes and health clubs are in abundance. From the office you can easily walk to Malvern Gardens, High Street Armadale or Glenferrie Road. Malvern and Armadale Train Station are a short walk away and tram stops are out the front of the building.

• A thorough understanding of the Victorian planning legislation framework, the Victorian Planning Provisions, planning schemes and the ability to apply the relevant legislative framework.
• Demonstrated ability to apply mature judgement and to make decisions having regard to the requirements of the Stonnington Planning Scheme and Council's policies and objectives.
• Proven capacity to write reports and make recommendations to Council in all town planning matters referred or delegated by the Manager City Planning including power to prepare and present Council's position to External Bodies.
• Ability to gain cooperation and assistance from clients, the public, and colleagues, effectively motivating and developing team members in the administration of broadly defined activities.
• A tertiary qualification in Urban Planning or equivalent with several years' experience and eligible for corporate membership of the P.I.A.
• Extensive experience in statutory planning within local government that showcases applicable skills and knowledge.
• Strong understanding of the Victorian Planning Policy framework with awareness of current planning, development, economic, social and environmental issues and policy development.
• Technology savvy with well-developed PC skills and knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite of applications.
• Extensive experience in statutory planning, including the assessment of complex planning permit applicationsJoin Stonnington today. Work that matters. People who make a difference.
• Enquiries

For enquiries relating to the role, please contact Amanda Connolly Coordinator City Planning on

For enquiries relating to the system and the application process, please contact a member of the Talent Acquisition team on

Submitting your application

We are no longer using Position Descriptions or Key Selection Criteria. Please use your cover letter to demonstrate to us that you can 'deliver' the aspects of the role and that you have what is needed to 'thrive'. These are the top two sections in the Success Profile. You do not need to have a heading of each point or address each point individually. Recommended no more than 2 pages for your cover letter.

We are a 2022 Circle Back Initiative Employer - we commit to respond to every applicant.

To be eligible to apply for this position you must have an appropriate Australian or New Zealand work visa.

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