Make a visible impact in one of South Australia’s fastest-growing regions

Work across growth area planning, town centre renewal and activity centre projects

Permanent full-time role - SA Municipal Salaried Officers Award General Officer Level 7 Salary $122,310 to $129,135 per annum + 12% superannuation + Income Protection

Help Shape the Future of Gawler
Want to work on projects that genuinely influence the future of a growing community?

The Town of Gawler is seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Strategic Planner to join our newly formed Growth Department and help shape the future of Gawler.

This is an exciting opportunity to help guide Gawler’s growth, development and evolution through strategic planning, infrastructure planning, place-making and policy projects that support a thriving, connected and livable community.

You’ll work across a broad mix of projects, including growth area planning, major strategic investigations, town centre renewal, community infrastructure planning and future Code Amendments.

This isn't planning for planning's sake. Our work directly informs Council decisions, investment priorities and community outcomes. The ideas developed by the Growth Department help shape the homes, infrastructure, open spaces, activity centres and services that support a growing and thriving community.

If you're looking for an opportunity to work on meaningful projects, contribute to major strategic decisions and leave a lasting legacy, you'll find it here.

This position will be based at our administration centre in the heart of Gawler. Just 45 minutes from the Adelaide CBD with direct rail access, it offers the convenience of a well-connected centre, with excellent coffee shops, local businesses and a welcoming main street right on Council’s doorstep.

What’s Involved in the Role

Reporting to the Manager Growth, you will help coordinate and deliver a broad range of strategic planning projects and initiatives that guide the future growth and development of Gawler.

You will work closely with teams across Council, government agencies, consultants, industry and the community to provide evidence-based planning advice and help deliver projects that make a real difference.

Some of the projects and initiatives you'll contribute to may include:

- Planning & Design Code Amendments
- Structure planning and growth area investigations,



including involvement in major projects such as the Kudla Growth Area Investigations and Northern Park Lands Master Plan
- Town Centre revitalisation and place-making projects
- Strategic land use and infrastructure planning
- Community engagement and consultation programs
- Planning policy research and development
- Council reports, briefings and strategic advice

You will also provide strategic advice to the Growth Department as part of an integrated team, supporting projects across economic development, tourism, community infrastructure, open space and water infrastructure planning.

About You

You're someone who enjoys solving complex problems, working with a diverse range of stakeholders and turning ideas into real outcomes.

You bring strategic planning experience, strong communication skills and a team-oriented approach to project delivery. Most importantly, you're excited by the opportunity to help shape the future of one of South Australia's fastest-growing regions.

You will have tertiary qualifications in Urban and Regional Planning, Town Planning or a related discipline, and be eligibility for membership with the Planning Institute of Australia.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

- Experience in strategic planning, planning policy and/or growth management
- Strong project management and stakeholder engagement skills
- Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply planning legislation, policy frameworks and strategic planning processes.
- Experience preparing reports and presenting recommendations
- The ability to balance competing priorities and exercise sound professional judgement
- A passion for creating great places and communities
- Experience working with South Australia’s Planning and Design Code and Code Amendment processes will be highly regarded.

If you don’t meet every requirement but believe your transferable skills, experience and approach would make you a strong fit for the role, we encourage you to apply and tell us what you would bring to the team.

Why Join Us

At the Town of Gawler,



we’re building a Growth Department focused on long-term thinking, innovation and practical outcomes. In this role, you will have the opportunity to influence decision-making, see your ideas move from strategy into delivery, and contribute to projects that are visible across the community.

We offer:

- Meaningful and varied project work
- Autonomy to lead and shape your own projects, with support from a Manager and Director who both understand and have experience in leading strategic planning projects
- Flexible working arrangements
- A supportive and collaborative team environment
- The opportunity to genuinely influence the future of Gawler

Most importantly, you’ll be part of a team helping deliver projects that will leave a lasting legacy for our community. As the Growth Department is newly formed, this role also offers the chance to help shape how the team works, collaborates and delivers strategic outcomes for Council.

About Us

Established in 1839, the Town of Gawler is one of South Australia’s most significant historic towns and a key regional centre experiencing significant growth and change.

Our Growth Department works across Council to connect strategic planning, economic development, tourism, community infrastructure, open space and infrastructure planning and is leading a diverse portfolio of strategic projects that will influence how Gawler develops into the future. This gives the role a broad organisational lens and the opportunity to influence decisions beyond a single project area.

Our culture is underpinned by our values: Teamwork, Integrity, Collaboration, Creativity and Positivity.

Applications must be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer and be submitted via email only to

To be considered for the position, please submit a brief covering letter addressing the Selection Criteria in the Position Description, together with a current resume. The Position Description can be downloaded from the website

Council is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to embracing diversity for the benefit of all. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who believe they meet the criteria for the position.

Town of Gawler is a smoke, drug and alcohol-free work environment.

Follow Us On

LinkedIn: @townofgawler

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📌 Senior Strategic Planner (Adelaide)
🏢 The Town of Gawler
📍 Adelaide