A Planning and Development career with Local Government offers the opportunity to be a part of delivering the cities, towns and regions of the future. The impact of your work will span generations.
Local Government employs planners with expertise in many areas including:
Strategy and Policy
- Developing plans for the redevelopment of residential, industrial or commercial areas
- Strategic land use planning
- Planning law
- Heritage and conservation
- Planning research and project management
- Assessing development applications
Environment
- Natural resources management
- Environmental planning and sustainability
- Water catchment management
- Coastal planning
Community
- Social planning and population projections
- Economic development
- Community consultation and mediation
- Health, sport and recreation
Design
- Transport planning
- Residential subdivision and new housing development
- Designing public spaces
- Urban design
Types of Roles:
- Manager of Planning and Development
- Strategic Planner/ Senior Strategic Planner
- Statutory Planner
- Urban Planner City Planner
- Town Planner/ Senior Town Planner
- Social Planner/ Social Infrastructure Planner
- Development Planner
- Maintenance Planner – Water and Waste
- GIS Operator Spatial Officers
- Graduate Planner
- Student Planner/ Cadet Planner/ Trainee Town Planner
- Planning Compliance Officer
- Planning Assistant
What we do:
- Manage the growth and change of urban and regional areas
- Plan for an adequate supply of appropriate and affordable housing
- Coordinate and plan for infrastructure
- Support protection of natural environments and sustainable outcomes
- Facilitate economic and cultural development
- Engage with the community and stakeholders to develop plans and strategies and provide advice on planning matters
Qualifications:
A university qualification is usually essential for these roles. Over 40 qualifications have been accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia. Typical examples are:
- Bachelor of Urban & Regional Planning
- Bachelor of Urban & Environmental Planning
- Master of Planning
- Many councils also employ staff to assist with planning enquiries from residents, architects and developers. The following qualifications are suitable for these and similar positions:
- Certificate IV in Local Government
- Diploma of Local Government