Temporary Full-Time (up to two years)

Are you ready to start your career in statutory Town Planning? Be supported and make a difference as a Cadet Development Planner role with Lake Mac Council! 

• Earn while you learn – Get paid while you study a Degree in Town Planning

• Gain valuable skills while being mentored by highly skilled professionals

• Make a difference and positively contribute to our community

Lake Macquarie City Council is one of the largest employers of training positions in the Hunter region. The Cadet Development Planner is part of Council’s Early Careers program – designed to provide you with on-the-job experience, mentoring and support from highly skilled professionals, all while you complete a formal qualification. Additional benefits include paid course fees and paid study time while gaining valuable skills and experience.  Earn while you learn and kick-start your career with Lake Mac Council!

ABOUT THE JOB

This unique opportunity is designed to support you in completing a Degree or Graduate Diploma in Town Planning, while immersing you in the fast-paced world of local government and statutory development assessment.

As our Cadet Development Planner, you’ll be at the heart of real-world planning and development projects, building your technical expertise and sharpening your practical skills. You’ll play a key role in shaping our city through providing professional town planning services across the broad range of development assessment functions. From conducting site inspections, assessing development applications and preparing reports, providing clear written and verbal advice, to interacting with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, you’ll gain hands-on experience that sets you apart. With a blend of on-the-job training and academic support through your university, you’ll be empowered to grow, contribute, and thrive in your future career as a town planner.

In addition to these core duties, you will be supported to:

• Assess a range of development applications in accordance with planning legislation.

• Assist with our duty planning  

• Assist with monitoring and reviewing changing legislation and policies in the light of changing legislation and community expectations.

The position is located at Council’s Temporary Administration Building in Wallsend and may involve travel to multiple areas within Lake Macquarie. You will work flexible hours between 6am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.

If you are our successful candidate, commencement in the role will be mid-January 2026.

Read the position statement to learn more.

Candidates who have already completed a degree qualification or higher in Town Planning or similar, you may not be eligible to apply.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Receive a wage whilst studying towards a qualification starting from $1,057.60 per week plus 12 per cent superannuation

• Payment of university fees (including course and amenities fees) for the remainder of your related studies

• Paid time to study and attend compulsory classes

• Yearly pay reviews and increases based on performance

• 35 hour working week with flexi roster

• Four weeks paid annual leave

• Be mentored and work closely with team of qualified planning professionals in a supportive, empowering, innovative and collaborative work environment

• Lake Mac offers a range of great employee benefits - click here to explore what's available.

ABOUT YOU

• Are currently enrolled and completing a Degree or Graduate Diploma in Town Planning or other relevant and suitable qualification and are in your second year of your studies. Students in their first year will be considered.

• Have well-developed interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.

• Have attention to detail with experience in analysing data and technical report writing.

• Are computer savvy and familiar with MS Office software, particularly Outlook, Word and Excel.

• Are committed to completing the course of study part time while working full time.

• Enjoy working in a team environment

• Enjoy providing great customer experiences

• Are able to have initiative and ability to work independently.

• Hold a minimum of Provisional Class C Drivers licence

• Knowledge of planning legislation and its relevance to the role is highly desirable but not essential.

• An understanding of operating in a publicly accountable environment is highly desirable but not essential.

HOW TO APPLY

If this job sounds like you, we would love to hear from you! Get your application in by midnight, Sunday 26 October 2025.

• Check out the FAQs and Guide to Applying before starting your application.

• Click the ‘Apply Now’ button below to start your application. You will need to upload a resume and provide responses to application questions based on the position statement.

• For enquiries about the role, contact Amy Regado, Section Manager Development, 02 4921 0358 or via email aregado@lakemac.nsw.gov.au.

• You will hear back from us by 31 October, and interviews will be held on shortly after.

• To view the Capability Framework – Role Profile relevant to this role, please click here.

• If you need assistance with your application, any adjustments to be made to the recruitment process or if you would like to discuss any accessibility requirements, please contact Isabelle Field, Early Careers Advisor for a confidential discussion on 02 4921 0022 or via email ifield@lakemac.nsw.gov.au.

• As part of the recruitment process, prior to an offer of employment being made, recommended candidates may be subject to a medical assessment which may include alcohol and other drugs testing.