Development Planner - 12-month term

Help shape sustainable development outcomes across the Bellingen Shire. Join our Development and Compliance team in this 12-month parental leave relief opportunity.

About Us

Working with us means more than just a job – it’s an opportunity to make a real difference at a local level. We’re a small but impactful council known for innovation, collaboration, and community connection. With around 160 dedicated employees, our team is passionate about delivering services that support the people and places that make our shire special.

Bellingen Shire is a picturesque and diverse area located on the Mid North Coast of NSW, halfway between Sydney and Brisbane and just south of Coffs Harbour. Covering 1,605 square kilometres with around 10km of coastline, the region is renowned for its stunning natural beauty – from lush rainforests and pristine rivers to the World Heritage-listed Dorrigo National Park. Our towns and villages are known for their charm, creativity and strong community spirit.

Living and working here offers the perfect blend of lifestyle and purpose. With a focus on sustainability, cultural richness, and a warm, welcoming community, Bellingen Shire is an inspiring place to grow your career, enjoy work-life balance, and contribute to something meaningful.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Group Leader Development and Compliance, this role is responsible for assessing and processing development applications in accordance with relevant legislation, Council policies and statutory requirements. The role provides professional planning advice to the community, development industry and Council staff, supports sustainable development outcomes and contributes to the continuous improvement of development assessment processes.

The ideal candidate will have tertiary qualifications in Planning or related discipline or equivalent knowledge, skills and experience. You will also have eligibility for membership of the Planning Institute of Australia, or a plan to obtain membership, together with experience in development assessment and a sound understanding of relevant NSW planning and environmental legislation. Experience using ePlanning software will be highly regarded.

To succeed in the role, you will have strong written and verbal communication and customer service skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines. You will work collaboratively with others, provide clear and consistent planning advice and contribute to the effective operation of the planning team.

On offer

Working for Bellingen Shire Council provides access to a range of benefits and employment conditions, including:

• Maximum Term full-time role for 12 months (parental leave relief), 35 hours per week with access to monthly rostered day off
• Access to Fitness Passport
• Access to employee wellbeing programs
• Access to hybrid and flexible work arrangements in line with Award provisions, subject to operational requirements
• Ongoing professional development opportunities
• Salary packaging options
• Annual salary of $87,687 to $99,961 (plus super). 

Still Have Questions?

• For further information regarding this role please contact Ian Dencker, Group Leader Development and Compliance, on 02 6655 7300.
• For enquiries about the application process, please contact the Recruitment Team at recruitment@bellingen.nsw.gov.au. 

Sponsorship/work rights for Australia

Please note that visa sponsorship is not available.  To be eligible for a continuing role, you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or hold Australian permanent residency.

Temporary visa holders may be considered for a fixed-term appointment aligned with the duration of their visa, depending on the needs of the role and the business unit.

How to Apply

Please read the Position Description by clicking the link at the bottom of this page to gain a full understanding of the responsibilities and requirements of the role. 

No candidate meets every single desired qualification or skill.  If your experience looks a little different from what we have outlined but you believe you could add value to the role, we would love to learn more about you!

If this sounds like you, click the ‘Apply for this job’ button at the top of the page.  You will need to complete the application form and upload your current resume and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role.  Please ensure you follow the application instructions and provide all requested information, as the application forms part of the assessment process.  Applications that do not meet these requirements may not be progressed to interview.

Applications close: Sunday, 22 November 2026 at 4pm

Important information

As part of the recruitment process, suitable candidates will be required to complete pre-employment screening which can include relevant background checks, functional capacity assessments, psychometric testing, and drug and alcohol screening (where relevant to the role).  We may also review publicly available information (such as social media) and, with your consent, contact previous employers not listed on your application.

Our recruitment process is managed via system generated emails.  Please ensure your email address is entered correctly to avoid missing important updates and outcomes.  Notifications may include application confirmation, interview invitations, reference requests, and application outcomes.  Remember to check your email regularly, including your junk/spam folder.

Bellingen Shire Council as an equal opportunity employer is committed to a merit-based workforce that encompasses inclusiveness and diversity in an environment of mutual respect. We invite, encourage, welcome and value candidates of all ages, from diverse backgrounds and cultures, and people who have lived experience of disability to apply to work with us.

Bellingen Shire Council is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and creating and maintaining a child safe organisation.

If you require additional assistance to participate in the recruitment process, please contact the People and Culture team on 02 6655 7300 or recruitment@bellingen.nsw.gov.au. You can ask for reasonable adjustments to be made at any time during the recruitment process.