Vacancy Details


  • Fixed term, full or part time up to 12 months  
  • Genuine work-life balance with a range of flexible work options
  • Position available for a Statutory Planner seeking opportunity to grow their experience and skills or a Senior Statutory Planner who is ready to hit the ground running.
  • Depending on experience, the role will be offered either as Band 5 with a salary range of $77,000 - $89,000 + Super or Band 6 with a range of $93,000 - $101,900 + Super

Golden Plains Shire Council provides a workplace where people matter, communities are connected, and the future is bright. We offer a future-focused culture, a sense of purpose and possibility, and real opportunities to strengthen and enrich our diverse and growing community. 

We are seeking a Statutory Planner to join our team for 12 months to cover a period of parental leave. The role provides an opportunity for a planner either at the beginning of their career who wants to work in a supportive environment to develop and hone their planning skills or for a more seasoned and experienced Senior Statutory Planner ready to hit the ground running.

As part of a small team of planners, you will have the opportunity to work on a diverse range of applications and contribute to the evolution of the Golden Plains Planning Scheme to support our growing Shire.

This role will provide you the opportunity to:

  • Ensure the community benefits from an integrated approach to land use planning in terms of economic, social advantage as well as preservation and protection of the environment.
  • Establish positive communication and rapport with the community and stakeholders and educate and promote the need for compliance with the various statutes, legislation, local laws and policies. 
  • Administer the Planning and Environment Act, the Subdivision Act, Golden Plains Planning Scheme and other relevant Statutes and Regulations in a positive manner. 
  • Provide advice to the public, developers and clients of Council on the provisions for the Golden Plains Planning Scheme, Council planning policies, strategies and planning procedures.
  • Assess planning applications for the use, development and subdivision of land and report to Council with recommendations. 
  • Prepare reports on planning issues and represent Council in public planning forums and planning consultation meetings.

Our ideal candidate will have: 

  • Tertiary qualification in Town Planning, Urban Studies, Environmental Planning or a related discipline.
  • Demonstrated experience in statutory planning with a good understanding of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and other related legislation and regulations. 
  • Demonstrated ability to identify and implement process and system improvements, including innovative problem-solving skills. 
  • Demonstrated skills in planning and managing workloads to meet statutory timeframes and achieve quality built outcomes. 
  • Ability to identify and understand the current state of planning applications and assume the management of applications that are at various stages in the process. 
  • High-level interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to liaise effectively with a broad range of people including Council, consultants and tribunals on planning matters. 

* Don’t meet every single requirement?  If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly, give us a call to talk further.  Our recruitment process considers both technical and cultural fit, and how our development program can support individuals to grow into roles.  You may just be the right candidate for this or another position at Golden Plains Shire Council.

A career with us

Our people are our most valued asset - we understand the importance of providing a rewarding, inclusive and supportive work environment where all people are empowered to bring their best selves. 

We offer:

  • Learning and development opportunities aligned to your role and aspirations, along with opportunities to work on a variety of projects and undertake secondments 
  • Flexible work arrangements to empower you to achieve better life/work balance
  • An environment where health, safety and wellbeing are prioritised in all that we do
  • An active Social Club
  • Ability to transfer years of service from Government organisations and transfer of LSL balance within Local Government and with some government organisations
  • Generous leave entitlements including: 
  • Up to 16 weeks primary & up to 3 weeks secondary parental leave
  • Purchased leave
  • Ceremonial leave
  • Gender affirmation leave
  • Family violence leave

If you are ready to carve out a future with Golden Plains Shire Council and are ready to join a values driven and community focused organisation, we look forward to hearing from you.

For further information about the role and the key selection criteria, please view the Position Description available on Council's website (www.goldenplains.vic.gov.au/council/careers) or, for a confidential discussion, contact Zac Van Grondelle, Coordinator Statutory Planning on 03 5220 7173.

We’d love to hear from you ASAP regarding this role! To ensure we find the best candidates, applications for this role will be assessed as they are received, and the position may be filled prior to any end date advertised.

How to apply

Click Apply to submit your application.

We encourage you to talk to us about any adjustments or additional support you may require during the recruitment process, as well as how this role can be flexible for you. Please contact our People team at peopleandculture@gplains.vic.gov.au to discuss how we can best support you.

Applications close on SUNDAY 14 JULY 2024 at 11.59PM

At Golden Plains Shire Council we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace that allows staff to bring their whole selves to work. We believe that every individual has something valuable to offer. We are striving to build a workforce that reflects the community in which we operate and encourage applications from people of all ages, genders and cultural backgrounds. We recognise our proactive duty to ensure compliance with equal opportunity, child safe and other workplace-related legislation, and to eliminate all forms of discrimination.