Principal Urban Planner

Please note: This position is being recruited through Public Sector People. To apply for this position, please click here. Applications submitted through the Blacktown City Council website may not be considered.

Blacktown City is a growing and thriving city, located halfway between Sydney City and the Blue Mountains. With 450,000 residents, we are the largest and most diverse city in NSW, spread across 54 suburbs. Blacktown City is vibrant, dynamic and multicultural, home to a large First Nations community and people from more than 180 different birthplaces and languages.

With $24.8 billion regional economy, Blacktown City is also home to 35,000 businesses. Working at Blacktown City Council provides widespread, exciting professional opportunities. Our Council is leading the transformation of Blacktown City and Western Sydney. We are implementing a vision for a modern city, full of opportunity for our residents and businesses.

Our Council is led by highly skilled and experienced professionals, working with talented and passionate teams across a diverse range of business units. We are delivering high quality, customer-focused services, experiences, and facilities, and leading a program of strategic planning, activity and investment.

Blacktown City Council strives to be an inclusive workplace for all people. We welcome 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

We are looking for an accomplished Principal Urban Planner to provide high-level technical expertise, and leadership in the preparation of strategic land use planning policies and environmental planning instruments on a permanent, full-time basis.

Why you will love this role:

• Lead city-wide planning frameworks and strategies guiding sustainable urban growth in one of Australia's fastest growing areas
• Lead the preparation of LEPs, DCPs and complex planning policies
• Collaborate with senior staff and state agencies to influence regional and metropolitan planning outcomes
• Enjoy a collaborative environment with flexible work arrangements and professional growth opportunities.

What you will be doing:

• Develop, coordinate and implement strategic planning projects, policies and environmental planning instruments
• Provide expert advice on planning legislation and complex development matters
• Represent Council in the Land and Environment Court, government hearings, and community consultations
• Mentor and guide professional planners within the team.

Be part of a team that's setting the benchmark for sustainable city planning in Western Sydney

Qualifications and experience

Essential:

• Degree qualifications in planning or a relevant or related field
• In-depth work experience in urban planning or a related field
• Demonstrated experience preparing written documents and professional reports that communicate sometimes complex concepts in plain English to a diverse audience
• Demonstrated knowledge of urban planning issues and discourse supported by highly developed critical analysis and evaluation skills that support research activities, report writing, decision making and other operational and strategic outcomes
• Proven information technology, data analysis, research, analytical and other problem-solving skills to generate innovative solutions to sometimes conflicting objectives
• Demonstrated high-level oral communication skills with the ability to liaise with all levels of internal and external customers
• Demonstrated high level negotiation and dispute resolution skills with the ability to proactively engage with all levels of internal and external stakeholders
• Demonstrated experience in managing complex projects relating to the urban environment, on time and within budget
• Comprehensive knowledge of the New South Wales Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, Local Government Act 1993 and other relevant legislation, regulations, state planning policies and instruments
• Current class C driver's licence.

Desirable:

• Post-graduate qualifications in a related field
• Knowledge and understanding of social and affordable housing programs within a planning context
• Knowledge of public sector procurement, tendering and contractual dispute resolution processes, ideally within a local government context
• Management of private sector professional services contractors and/or consultants in a public sector context
• Understanding of risk management principles associated with planning and development
• Awareness and understanding of the application of local government financial management principles
• Experience using IT systems relevant to local government, including but not limited to Microsoft Office, HP Content Manager and Technology One.

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 $2,511.14 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.

To apply for this position, please click here.

Closing date: Tuesday 2 December 2025, 11.59 pm

Contact officer: Alex Scott on or at

Internal ref: BCC2087

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