Principal Development Planner

Full Time Fixed term Position - Until July 2027

Band 7 - Salary Range $109,825 to $122,758 per annum + 12% Super + ADO

Salary offered will depend on level of skills and experience.

Why join Melton City Council?

Melton City Council is proud to serve one of Australia’s fastest-growing and most diverse communities. We are a forward-thinking local government committed to creating a city where everyone feels welcome, supported, and empowered.

As a Council, we are driven by innovation, inclusion, and excellence. We deliver high-quality services and infrastructure, promote lifelong learning, and champion health and wellbeing across our municipality. Our team plays a vital role in shaping a vibrant, sustainable future for our residents.

Working with us means being part of a collaborative and inclusive culture that values your growth. We offer:

• Professional and personal development opportunities
• Generous leave entitlements and flexible work arrangements
• A dynamic workplace close to home, surrounded by heritage charm, green spaces, and modern amenities

Join us and help build a city that thrives—where your work makes a real difference every day.

The Opportunity

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a self-motivated individual within the City Growth and Development department. This role provides a unique opportunity for an enthusiastic and talented Planner to contribute to the growth of one of the fastest growing municipalities in Australia.

You will benefit from exposure to a wide variety of use and development applications; ranging from multi residential, to industrial, to greenfield subdivision and everything in between. You will be joining a friendly and supportive team who create an enjoyable working environment.

Key Responsibilities

• The efficient assessment of complex planning applications across Melton, using a project management approach
• Build strong and co-operative relationships internally and externally to enable facilitation of appropriate developments
• Provide technical advice to relevant internal and external stakeholders relating to the Melton Planning Scheme, Council policies, strategies and processes
• Assist and mentor less experienced Planners in the City Growth and Development department
• Provide input into the development of strategic planning projects to facilitate transition to the development assessment stage and provide a more seamless assessment process
• Represent Council on nominated committees, VCAT and other Planning forums as required
• Actively lead and contribute to process improvement initiatives in the City Growth and Development department

To view the Position Description, click here.

About you

To be successful in this role you will have the following:

• A Tertiary qualification in town planning or related discipline with relevant planning experience
• High level of motivation with the ability to be pro-active and make a positive contribution to the department
• Experience and skills in the assessment of complex development proposals to achieve quality outcomes
• A thorough understanding the Victorian planning system, including the Victoria Planning Provisions and ResCode
• Detailed understanding and proven experience dealing with growth area planning issues

Culture and Values

Our vision for our community is to be: "A vibrant, safe and liveable city accessible to all" and that means there’s a place here for you too. Our organisational values represent us as an established growth Council and the values are reflected in everything we do; our decision-making, our actions and our service provision to the community. Council has a diverse and vibrant organisation and we’d love to have you join us to help shape a city for the future.

We are Vibrant MELTON. Our values are:

• Motivate
• Empower
• Lead
• Trust
• Open
• Nurture

Benefits

Staff Benefits | Melton City Council

• 13 ADO's (Accrued Day Off) per year*
• 5 weeks annual leave*
• Genuine Flexible work options
• Additional $500 per annum pro rata superannuation for female employees over the age of 45
• Extensive Career Development & Leadership Programs
• Access to the Local Government Employee Health Plan (GMHBA) with exclusive benefits
• 16 weeks Paid Parental Leave (Super is paid during parental leave)*
• 3 weeks Paid Secondary Carer Leave*
• Wellbeing initiatives

• Eligible for Full Time positions or for Fixed term positions eligible after 12 months of employment.

How To Apply

If you require further information about the position, please contact Steve Finlay, Coordinator Statutory Planning on 9747 7162.

Applications must include a Resume and address the Key Selection Criteria outlining your suitability to the role. To address the Key Selection Criteria, you will need to write short statements explaining how you meet the criteria, or how you demonstrate the capability. We encourage you to keep your responses concise.

To be eligible for employment at Melton City Council you must be legally entitled to work in Australia.

All successful applicants will need to undertake pre-employment requirements including but not limited to a satisfactory criminal history record check. Successful applicants must be able to comply with any public health orders applicable to local government.

We strongly encourage job applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities, LGBTIQA+ and people from culturally diverse backgrounds. If selected for an interview and you require any additional support or adjustments regarding interview arrangements, please advise the contact listed above in advance.

Melton City Council is committed to being a child safe organisation and has Zero tolerance for child abuse. Melton City Council is committed to creating and maintaining a child safe organisation where protecting children and preventing and responding to child abuse is at the centre of our everyday thinking and service delivery.

Applications close 11:59pm Wednesday 17 June 2026