Graduate Town Planner

About Bega Valley Shire Council

Bega Valley Shire Council is looking for someone to join a team that delivers practical and varied services across the south-east corner of New South Wales. The area combines scenic coastline with rural landscapes, creating a community that values both country and coastal living. The Council is an AR Bluett Award recipient and has a workforce of more than 350 people supporting services such as libraries, customer service, finance, children’s services, engineering, project management, road maintenance, water management, environment, parks, gardens and town centres.

Role overview

This opportunity is for a proactive Graduate Town Planner to support the planning and management of the natural and built environment in the Bega Valley Shire. The role involves helping assess planning and development proposals and providing planning advice to development stakeholders and members of the community.

Key duties

In this position, you will contribute to the preparation of reports, correspondence and other advice on development matters. You will also help interpret and administer Council’s Local Environmental Plans, Development Control Plans, Contribution Plans, circulars and procedures. The role includes investigating complaints related to land use and assisting the Planning Coordinator and Senior Town Planner with evidence and court documents when required.

About you

The Council is seeking an applicant with a degree in Urban and Regional Planning, or an equivalent qualification, or someone close to finishing that degree. Recent related experience of around 2 years is also expected as an indicator.

You should bring a sound understanding of planning principles and development assessment methods, along with the ability to apply environmental planning legislation and related instruments such as the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, State Environmental Planning Policies, Local Environmental Plans, circulars and other relevant policies. Experience assessing development applications and making recommendations is important, as is strong analytical and investigative capability, particularly in relation to demographic, socio-economic and land use supply and demand analysis.

Employment details

This is a permanent full-time role based on 35 hours per week.

The total remuneration package starts at $99,303.86 gross per year and includes a base salary of $1,705.08 per week plus superannuation of $204.61 per week, calculated at 12%.

Benefits

Employees in this role may be eligible for a range of workplace benefits, including rostered days off, flexible working arrangements and salary packaging.

• A rostered day off arrangement under a nine-day fortnight
• Flexible work options
• Salary packaging support
• Annual award-based salary increases and performance reviews
• Wellbeing support such as Fitness Passport, an Employee Assistance Program, the Telus Health App, a social club, health monitoring and annual flu vaccinations

Eligibility and other requirements

Applicants must have the right to work in Australia and be able to address the selection criteria with evidence of their suitability for the position. The role also requires immunisation in line with the Australian Immunisation Handbook, any mandatory Public Health Orders and/or the Council’s immunisation procedure.

Applications close at 11:59 pm AEST on 5 July 2026. For further details about the role, the contact provided is Mark Fowler, Planning Services Coordinator, on 02 6499 2107.

Additional information

The position is described as a meaningful career opportunity within a council environment that supports diverse community needs and offers practical exposure to planning work across development assessment, land use matters and related advisory services.