Senior Land Use Planning Specialist

Senior Land Use Planning Specialist – Permanent Full Time – Perth CBD

Drive Western Power’s strategic planning capability by managing land use planning referrals that safeguard our network and support sustainable development across WA. In this role, you’ll ensure network requirements are embedded in land use planning decisions, protect existing assets, and maintain compliance with statutory obligations.

You’ll collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders (i.e. DPLH, Local Government Authorities) to align Western Power’s network development with WA’s land use planning processes—reducing costs and delays on major projects and enabling future network expansion. Your work will help deliver a safe, reliable electricity network while supporting Western Australia’s growth.

Your Role in Action  

• Provide subject matter expertise to develop the strategic planning referrals capability, lead the implementation of streamlined processes and manage the end-to-end delivery and coordination of the advice from receipt of referral to the response provided to planning authorities and stakeholders.
• Provide qualified expert advice, referral responses and guidance to external stakeholders on matters related to land use planning, statutory requirements and network infrastructure development.
• Consult and coordinate internal technical and subject matter expertise needed to draft and provide strategic planning referrals and advice.
• Establish, lead and maintain strong working relationships with key external stakeholders, including Local Government, government utilities, planning and development agencies, through regular communication, consultation, and collaboration to facilitate project development and approval processes.
• Proactively identify, lead and coordinate engagement with planning and development agencies, developers and other stakeholders and be involved in the appropriate advisory committees to minimise impacts to Western Power infrastructure projects and existing assets.
• Undertake senior technical review of strategic planning referral responses and analysis of planning schemes, strategies, policies, structure plans and other proposals to identify potential impacts on Western Power's network and proactively address any conflicts or challenges.
• Ensure that referral deadlines are met, providing timely and effective input to land use planning processes, ensuring that Western Power's network requirements are considered in strategic planning and development decisions.
• Lead the provision of advice and guidance for strategic land acquisition that supports short, medium and long-term plans for Western Power network expansion and infrastructure development to minimise costs and delays.
• Manage the strategic planning referrals program, through holistic monitoring and tracking the progress of strategic planning referrals, proactively addressing any issues or delays.
• Develop and deliver training materials to internal stakeholders on the importance of integrating network development into Western Australia’s land use planning processes.
• Mentor, provide support and guidance to specialists in respect to land use planning and associated technical responsibilities.

What Makes You a Great Fit 

• A degree in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Engineering (Civil or Electrical), Geography, or a related field.
• Extensive experience in statutory and strategic planning approvals; and referral processes.
• Extensive experience in engaging with local government agencies, State planning authorities and other stakeholders on planning and development matters.
• Extensive experience in reviewing and analysing planning schemes, strategies, structure plans, policies and proposals.
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills with the ability to prepare clear and concise reports, presentations, and correspondence.
• Highly developed negotiation and influencing skills to effectively advocate and negotiate provision and approval conditions with government and non-government stakeholders.
• Extensive communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Extensive analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and address potential conflicts and challenges.
• Extensive experience in land acquisitions and negotiation with external stakeholders to achieve outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience leading, mentoring and managing technical specialists in land use planning and related fields

By joining Western Power, you will contribute to powering a cleaner energy future. We are dedicated to fostering career development and promoting a healthy work-life balance, empowering you to drive innovation as we develop a network that will serve the Western Australian community for generations. You will also benefit from a range of perks and opportunities, including: 

• Over 50% of our employment opportunities are driven by career progression.  
• Flexible work arrangements to support part time work, working hours and working from home arrangements. 
• The opportunity to purchase up to four weeks of additional leave per year. 
• Access to salary packaging, social club activities, and discounted health insurance and gym membership. 
• An award-winning employee recognition and benefits programme. 
• An innovative team culture that’s enabling the transition to renewable energy and decarbonisation.  
• In addition to standard leave, enjoy three wellness leave days each year.
• Access to end-of-trip facilities at our Perth office and South Metro Depot, perfect for cyclists.
• 22 weeks paid parental leave and 5 days of First Nations cultural leave to support family and cultural connections.

Applications close on 19 February 2026

We value diversity and inclusivity, encouraging applications from all backgrounds, including women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and LGBTQIA+ communities. As a WORK180-endorsed employer for women, we are proud of our commitment to inclusion. You can learn more about this through our Reconciliation Action Plan and Disability Access and Inclusion Plan. 

Learn more about Western Power here: About (westernpower.com.au) 

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