Principal Planner – Growth Area

About The Role In this role, you will join a high-performing Growth area team, and you will be assessing, managing and delivering clear planning advice to applicants, the community and other key stakeholders specifically in the areas strategically identified in our growing municipality. As a senior team member, you’ll lead on priority projects across the City of Greater Geelong, bringing your deep expertise to provide advice and help shape innovative, forward-thinking planning approaches. Work type: Permanent, full time.Classification: Band 7, $106,158 + super Key responsibilities include:

• Assess and determine development applications, including major and growth area proposals, ensuring compliance with legislation and timely, balanced decisions.
• Coordinate input from government agencies and the community to meet statutory timeframes.
• Prepare clear, professional correspondence relating to Council decisions and public enquiries.
• Deliver a responsive, up-to-date advisory service and support the public with planning enquiries.
• Represent the City of Greater Geelong at public forums, legal proceedings and appeal hearings.
• Maintain accurate administrative and information management systems to support team operations.
• Act as a Team Leader as required for limited periods

About You To be successful in this role, you will have a tertiary qualification in town planning or urban studies (or related field) and extensive experience in a local government town planning office. Essential Experience:

• A tertiary qualification
• Theoretical and practical expertise in interpreting town planning legislation and practice.
• In-depth understanding of local government operations, the Victorian planning system preferably with growth area experience and associated legal processes.
• Demonstrated analytical, investigative and communication skills.
• Previous experience mentoring and developing staff.
• Proven ability to negotiate effectively and resolve conflict.

Preferred candidates will be required to undergo a National Police Check as part of the recruitment process (funded by the City). If this sounds like the role for you, then click apply now! Child Safety Responsibilities   We are committed to being a child-safe organisation and have zero-tolerance for child abuse. We have specific policies, procedures, and mandatory training in place to support employees, volunteers, and contractors to achieve and adhere to these commitments. Please read our  Child Safe Standards Management Policy .  Diversity and Inclusion  At the City we want a workforce that reflects the community we live in. We welcome and embrace everyone, all people with their own unique experiences, and support and encourage all our employees to do their best work, have equal access to opportunities and a just working environment. For this reason, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from First Nations people, people with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, from the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disability and people of all genders, ages and diverse experience.  We are the City From parks to offices, childcare centres to works depots, leisure facilities to the Wool Museum and waterfront, our team plays a vital role in shaping our vibrant and growing community. Our community counts on us to get the essentials right while looking for ways to go beyond. By listening, collaborating, and focusing on sustainability, we strive to do the basics brilliantly and create a lasting impact. If you’re ready to be part of something bigger, join us in shaping the future of Geelong. We support accessibility and encourage discussions about any adjustments or support you may need during the recruitment process. Applications and Enquiries Applications close: 11:55pm Friday 13th February 2026 Click the Position Description link to view more information about this position. Enquiries: John Rush | Coordinator Statutory Planning | John.Rush@geelongcity.vic.gov.au Click the Apply button to submit your application or find out more about this opportunity. If we can assist you with any reasonable adjustments in order to submit your application for this role, please contact the Talent Acquisition team via email at careers@geelongcity.vic.gov.au noting your preferred method of communication and contact details and a member of the team will be in touch. We collect demographic data to help us learn who our advertisements are reaching and how we can reach an even more diverse audience. We are committed to building a more diverse team. Your responses to our demographic questions are strictly confidential and will not be individually shared. To obtain a copy of the position description, please visit https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/employment/default.aspx