Development Compliance Officer

Role Overview

This permanent full-time role sits within Planning, Environment & Lifestyle, specifically the Planning & Development division. The position follows a 9-day fortnight and averages 36.25 hours per week. The role is based in Townsville.

The salary level is LGO4, with pay ranging from $83,385 to $89,379 per year plus superannuation, depending on your skills, qualifications, and experience. Applications close at 11:45pm on Sunday 5 June 2026.

What You’ll Be Doing

You will support development compliance work by investigating matters across building, pool safety, and planning. This includes checking whether development conditions have been met and ensuring actions align with Council policy, industry practice, and relevant legislation.

The role involves site and property inspections covering structures, land use activities, swimming pools, and permits to confirm statutory compliance. You will also prepare, issue, and manage correspondence, notices, and enforcement actions in accordance with legal requirements and Council processes.

Another important part of the job is building strong working relationships with both internal teams and external stakeholders, while contributing to practical, lawful, and community-focused outcomes.

What We’re Looking For

You should bring a solid working understanding of legislation, regulations, local laws, and other rules relevant to building, development, and pool compliance. Experience in a community regulation or consultation environment will be valuable.

We are looking for someone who can interpret legislation, technical reports, standards, and policy documents with care and accuracy. You’ll also need strong investigation ability, including gathering evidence that can stand up in court when required.

Success in this role requires sound judgement, the ability to work with limited supervision, and confidence in making decisions with clear outcomes. You should also be capable of resolving disputes, handling difficult conversations diplomatically, and communicating clearly in both written reports and formal notices.

Strong organisation, prioritisation, and time management skills are essential. A current Authorised Persons Card (TCC), Construction Induction Training (White Card), First Aid training, and a current Class C driver licence are required or must be obtainable.

A qualification in Building, Planning, or a related discipline is desirable, as is a Certificate IV, Diploma, or similar qualification in an investigatory field.

Benefits and Conditions

Townsville City Council is the largest local government authority in Northern Australia and promotes a balanced, inclusive, and community-minded workplace.

• 5 weeks of annual leave plus 17.5% leave loading
• 3 weeks of personal/carer’s leave
• 14 weeks of paid parental leave
• Leave support for domestic and family violence situations
• Leave provisions for natural disasters
• Uniforms, tools, and PPE supplied where relevant
• Annual wage progression
• Employer superannuation contribution of up to 13.5% for eligible contributing members
• Salary sacrifice options
• Learning and development opportunities, including on-the-job learning and formal training
• Fitness Passport access with discounted membership to selected health and wellbeing facilities
• Employee discount program with selected local businesses
• Employee Assistance Program

Application Notes

To apply, submit your application through the application button and include a cover letter of no more than 2 pages describing how your skills, qualifications, and experience will help you succeed in the role. A resume is also required and should confirm your licences and qualifications.

Diverse candidates are encouraged to apply, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with diverse gender identities and sexualities, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability, and veterans.

Successful candidates must complete drug and alcohol testing as part of the recruitment process. The organisation operates a zero-tolerance approach to drugs and alcohol in the workplace.

If you need adjustments during recruitment or want to discuss accessibility needs, you can contact the recruitment team confidentially by email or phone.

Contact

Contact person: Jake
Contact email: jnk@townsville.qld.gov.au

Attachment

Development Compliance Officer_PD.pdf