Senior Urban Designer in Murwillumbah

Shape the future of one of Australia’s most dynamic coastal regions. As Senior Urban Designer, you’ll lead Tweed Shire’s urban design, placemaking and heritage initiatives, helping create vibrant, sustainable and liveable communities. Working across high-profile projects, you’ll collaborate with Council, industry, stakeholders and the community to influence urban design and strategic planning outcomes, guide development and protect the unique character of the Tweed. Join a forward-thinking team where your expertise will leave a lasting legacy on the built environment and help shape the future of a growing region.

About the role:

• Provide expert urban design, heritage and placemaking advice to support strategic planning, policy development and development proposals across the Shire.
• Lead research, analysis and policy development on land use, urban design and heritage matters to help deliver a high-quality built environment.
• Collaborate with strategic planners, Council teams, developers, consultants and community stakeholders to achieve positive planning and design outcomes.
• Prepare high-quality reports, recommendations and correspondence for Council, government agencies and other key stakeholders.
• Manage and contribute to strategic projects, including procurement, stakeholder engagement, consultant management, budgeting and project reporting.
• Represent Council as a specialist urban design advisor, providing expert input on planning strategies, public domain projects, development assessments and multidisciplinary initiatives.

What's on offer:

• A base salary ranging from $123,791 per annum with competency-based increments up to $137,643 per annum, plus 12% super.
• 70 hour, 9 day fortnight.
• Full lease vehicle - available for both work and personal use (employee contribution applies).
• Training and development opportunities.
• Flexible work options for a healthy work/life balance.
• Generous employment conditions.

We are seeking:

• Qualifications in Urban Design, Town Planning, Architecture or a related discipline, with a passion for creating high-quality places and built environments.
• Strong experience and expertise in urban design, with a sound understanding of planning, architecture, landscape design, heritage and conservation principles.
• Proven ability to assess development proposals and provide specialist advice on urban design, public domain and infrastructure projects.
• Excellent project management and organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver outcomes within timeframes.
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, with confidence engaging with diverse stakeholders and resolving complex issues.
• A collaborative and proactive approach, with experience contributing to planning policy development, working effectively within multidisciplinary teams and promoting safe work practices.

About us:

Located on the picturesque far North Coast of NSW, bordering the Gold Coast. The Tweed is a vibrant, diverse location offering a lifestyle near the water, in a rainforest or on a farm. Tweed Shire Council is committed to employment equity and diversity and encourages applications from people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds in both traditional and non-traditional roles. We provide workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options.

Where it's located:

This position is based in Murwillumbah and can be directed to work from any Council work site.

Position closes: Friday 23 October 2026 at 12 noon sharp (NSW time). Late applications will not be permitted.

TIPS for Addressing the Selection Criteria Pre-Employment Screening: Tweed Shire Council conducts pre-employment assessments as part of its recruitment process. Pre-employment medical – some roles require a functional (physical) assessment, and all positions are subject to drug and alcohol screening. Background screening verifies that the information you have provided throughout the recruitment process is true and correct. Reference Checks are undertaken by the panel. Your 2 referees should ideally be your current and most recent supervisors. Your referees are not contacted unless you’ve been interviewed and are a preferred candidate.

Thinking of relocating? Eligible applicants can access the Welcome Experience, a free NSW Government service designed to support workers and their families as they move to regional NSW.

Selection Criteria:

• Why are you interested in working at Tweed Shire Council, and what excites you most about this particular opportunity?
• Do you hold tertiary qualifications in Urban Design, Town Planning, Architecture, or a related discipline? Please give details about your qualification.
• Please outline your experience in urban design and related disciplines such as planning, architecture, landscape architecture, heritage and conservation, and describe how you have applied this knowledge in your work.
• Please provide an example of a development proposal, public domain or infrastructure project where you applied urban design principles and managed competing priorities to deliver a successful outcome.
• Describe a significant urban design project, strategy or place-based initiative or development outcome you have led or contributed to. How did you apply urban design principles to address site opportunities and constraints, engage stakeholders, and achieve a positive outcome?
• This role requires working collaboratively with a range of stakeholders. Please provide an example that demonstrates your communication, teamwork and conflict resolution skills in achieving a positive outcome.
• How do you ensure safe work practices are considered and maintained in your day-to-day work and project delivery?

Desirable:

• Do you have experience using computer-aided drafting software to produce high-quality design and built environment illustrations?