About Us
Mornington Peninsula Shire is Victoria's destination municipality, characterised by unique townships, highly productive agriculture, world renowned landscapes, tourist regions, and areas of national and international conservation significance within a vital Green Wedge.
The Shire is responsible for a broad range of infrastructure and community services that support the wellbeing and prosperity of our diverse community. With approximately 900 employees, it is a busy and vibrant workplace.
What’s on Offer
• Work Life Balance –We offer a hybrid working model, flexible working arrangements and generous leave provisions.
• Culture – Positive, fun and inclusive work environment that is underpinned by our core values which are integral to everything we do. These are Integrity, Openness, Courage, Respect, and Excellence.
• Security– Permanent full-time role, based in the Mornington office. Band 8 - $125,613 - $140,169 per annum plus super (based on experience).
• Career – Opportunity to grow and develop with excellent learning and development opportunities.
About the Role
Reporting to the Manager – Statutory Planning, this role plays a critical part in achieving high-quality planning outcomes for the Peninsula community. You will lead Council’s approach to planning appeals and advocacy, ensuring matters are managed professionally, strategically and in line with Council’s objectives.
Key responsibilities include:
• Represent or instruct Council in planning matters before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
• Manage the allocation and coordination of appeals and hearings, including briefing and overseeing planning consultants, legal representatives and expert witnesses.
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of statutory planning procedures to enhance efficiency and service delivery.
• Support strong planning outcomes by contributing to policy development and best-practice processes.
• Provide training and guidance to Statutory Planning staff on legislative obligations and appeal processes.
• Prepare summaries of significant appeal decisions for distribution to key internal stakeholders, including Executive and Councillors.
• Monitor and report on changes to legislation, regulations and policy impacting VCAT and planning appeals.
• Provide strategic advice to senior leaders on the implications of appeal decisions and emerging policy issues.
About You
The ideal candidate will bring:
• A recognised tertiary qualification in town planning, law or a related discipline.
• Substantial experience in statutory planning, planning advocacy, environmental planning or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience representing or instructing at VCAT, panel hearings or similar forums.
• Well-developed communication and presentation skills, with the ability to represent Council professionally and persuasively.
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to work effectively with internal teams, consultants, legal practitioners, applicants and the community.
• Sound judgement and negotiation skills when dealing with complex, sensitive and time-critical matters.
• An understanding of the legislative framework relevant to local government planning, and an appreciation of the political and strategic context in which Council operates.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
How to Apply
If this role sounds like you, click 'Apply'.
The Mornington Peninsula Shire is committed to creating a diverse and safe environment. We are proud to be an equal opportunity and Child Safe employer. We encourage applications from First Nations people, culturally and linguistically diverse people, people with disabilities, neurodiverse people, and people of all genders, sexualities and age groups.
Mornington Peninsula Shire undertakes a variety of employment screening checks. This includes employment references, Working with Children Checks and National Police Checks.
Applicants must have valid Australian work rights.
For further information about the role, you can download the Position Description by clicking 'Apply'. For a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact: Blake de Alencar Angus, Manager – Statutory Planning, Contact Number:.
Applications Close : 6pm, Friday 27th February