Your New Role:
As a Senior Strategic Planner, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future growth, development and sustainability of the Macleay Valley. Working within our Strategic & Environmental Planning team, you will lead and deliver a diverse range of strategic planning projects that support Council's long-term vision for the community.
This is an exciting opportunity to influence land use outcomes, guide future development, and ensure growth is appropriately planned, funded and delivered through effective infrastructure planning and development contributions frameworks. You will be responsible for assessing rezoning proposals, preparing and reviewing strategic planning documents, developing land use strategies and planning policies, and providing expert advice on complex planning matters.
You will work collaboratively with internal stakeholders, developers, government agencies and the community to achieve balanced planning outcomes that consider environmental, social, cultural and economic factors. As a senior member of the team, you will provide leadership, contribute to project delivery and budget management, and support the ongoing review and implementation of Council's strategic planning objectives.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading the assessment of rezoning proposals and strategic land use planning initiatives.
- Preparing, reviewing and implementing Local Environmental Plans (LEPs), Development Control Plans (DCPs), planning policies and land use strategies.
- Developing and administering Development Contributions Plans and infrastructure funding strategies.
- Managing strategic planning projects from inception through to delivery.
- Preparing high-quality reports, correspondence and recommendations for Council and government agencies.
- Collaborating with developers and stakeholders to support future growth and development opportunities.
- Providing expert planning advice and contributing to the continuous improvement of strategic planning processes.
For a full list of the Key Accountabilities of the role, please refer to the
Position Description.
About You:
You are an experienced and motivated planning professional with a passion for shaping communities and delivering strategic planning outcomes. You bring strong technical planning expertise, excellent stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to navigate complex planning challenges with confidence and professionalism.
You thrive in a collaborative environment, can manage multiple projects simultaneously, and are committed to delivering high-quality outcomes that align with community expectations and legislative requirements
To be successful in this role, you will have:
- Relevant tertiary qualifications in Town Planning or a related discipline.
- To be successful in this role, you will have:
- A current NSW Driver's Licence.
- At least four years' experience in strategic and/or statutory town planning.
- Demonstrated experience preparing and reviewing LEPs, DCPs and other planning instruments within a local government environment.
- Experience developing, reviewing and administering Development Contributions Plans and infrastructure funding strategies.
- Strong knowledge of planning legislation, policy frameworks and statutory requirements.
- Proven ability to assess complex planning issues and prepare clear, concise and well-reasoned reports.
- Experience using relevant planning and GIS software applications.
- Strong negotiation, facilitation, conflict resolution and problem-solving capabilities.
- Excellent project management skills and the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver results.
About Us:
Kempsey Shire Council (KSC) is located on the Mid North Coast of NSW, known for its genuine hospitality, pristine beaches, sub-tropical rainforests, mountain ranges, rock river gorges, sprawling farmland and peaceful villages.
We are a progressive, proactive and dynamic organisation, and we pride ourselves on the respectful and supportive workplace we have cultivated. With 360+ dedicated staff managing $1.8 billion worth of assets across many sites throughout the Shire, KSC work closely with our community to build an inspired, connected Macleay Valley.
Why Join Us?
As the successful candidate, you’ll enjoy:
- A permanent full-time position, 35 hour work week
- Monthly RDO’s
- Weekly salary of $2,068.86 to $2,328.52 (plus superannuation).
- Generous leave entitlements, including access to Long Service Leave after five years
- A working environment focussed on wellbeing, including flexible work arrangements, rostered days off, EAP access, social club, and health and wellbeing programs.
- Fitness Passports for discounted access to a range of gym and pool facilities.
- Career development and learning opportunities.
- Novated Leasing and salary packaging options.
- A supportive, collaborative working environment designed to help you grow!
- A fantastic lifestyle and work life balance, on the beautiful Mid-North Coast.
Interested?
Please apply via Council’s website http://careers.kempsey.nsw.gov.au/. Note that you will be required to prepare and submit:
- A short statement (maximum 2 pages) outlining how your experience, abilities, knowledge and personal qualities will enable you to achieve the key accountabilities of the role (as listed in the Position Description); and
- Your current resume.
Applications Close: COB Wednesday, 22 July 2026
Please note that Council reserves the right to close this job advertisement before the stated closing date if a suitable candidate is found. Therefore, we encourage all interested applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible.
Have questions? Please contact Peter Orr – Strategic and Environmental Planning Manager, for a confidential discussion on Ph: 02 6566 3200.
Please Note: Our recruitment notification process is primarily via system generated emails. Please ensure your email is correct before submitting your application to avoid missing crucial updates.
If you experience any difficulties applying online, please contact the Recruitment team on 02 6566 3200 or email
jobs@kempsey.nsw.gov.au
Thank you and good luck with your application.
Kempsey Shire Council is an equal opportunity employer and we celebrate our diverse, inclusive and values-led workforce. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with diverse culture and linguistic backgrounds and people with a disability. In addition, Kempsey Shire Council will provide reasonable adjustments for suitably qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require additional assistance to participate in the recruitment process, please discuss with the advertised contact person. You can ask for reasonable adjustments to be made at any time during the recruitment process.
