Statutory & Environmental Planning Adviser

Join WaterNSW and play a critical role at the intersection of strategic planning, environmental assessments and major infrastructure. Working across planning proposals, legislative reforms and complex development applications, you'll help influence decisions that protect water quality, catchment health and critical water supply infrastructure for communities across NSW.

If you're an experienced environmental planner looking for purpose-driven work where your expertise truly matters, we'd love to hear from you.

Ready to make a splash in your career?

Join WaterNSW and play a critical role at the intersection of strategic planning, environmental assessments and major infrastructure. Working across planning proposals, legislative reforms and complex development applications, you'll help influence decisions that protect water quality, catchment health and critical water supply infrastructure for communities across NSW.

If you're an experienced environmental planner looking for purpose-driven work where your expertise truly matters, we'd love to hear from you.

Our Perks and Benefits

At WaterNSW, we believe that our employees should be as well taken care of as our rivers, dams, and pipelines, that’s why we offer a load of perks.

- Flexible working
- Work a 9-day fortnight at Full pay on the Enterprise Agreement
- Up to 16 weeks paid parental leave
- Fertility leave
- Attractive Salary $142,610 - $156,884 + 12% Superannuation and Performance Pay
- And so much more

What you’ll do

- Provide expert planning advice on strategic planning proposals, rezonings, development applications and policy changes that may impact the Sydney Drinking Water Catchment.
- Review and assess planning instruments,



growth strategies and development proposals to ensure environmental and water quality risks are appropriately considered and managed.
- Administer the interface with Sydney Water Corporation relating to environmental assessments, access protocols and heritage considerations.
- Support major infrastructure and capital projects, providing environmental planning advice and guidance on planning approvals, environmental assessments and compliance requirements.
- Represent WaterNSW in discussions with councils, state government agencies, developers and consultants, building strong relationships and advocating for sustainable planning outcomes.
- Identify emerging environmental and planning risks, developing innovative solutions that balance development, environmental protection and long-term water security.

What we are looking for

- Relevant tertiary qualifications in Land Use or Environmental Planning, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management or a related discipline, supported by practical industry experience and a current NSW Driver Licence.
- A highly experienced planning professional with a background in statutory, environmental or strategic planning, a passion for balancing sustainable development with environmental protection, and ideally experience working within NSW Government or Local Government.



A sound understanding of the NSW planning and heritage framework, including relevant legislation and assessment processes, will be highly regarded.
- Strong expertise in the NSW planning framework, including the ability to confidently interpret and apply the NSW Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979, environmental planning instruments, development controls and approval pathways.
- Exceptional written communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear, defensible and well-reasoned reports, submissions and recommendations for a diverse range of stakeholders.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to work collaboratively across government agencies, local councils, consultants, developers and multidisciplinary technical teams.
- Excellent project management and organisational capability, allowing you to work independently while managing multiple planning referrals, assessments and priorities simultaneously.

Who we are

WaterNSW operates the state’s dams, capturing and storing water, and then supplying it ready for distribution - for the environment, agriculture, industry and the community. With 41 major dams and hundreds of waterways across the state, we play a vital role at the source of the state’s water, delivering two thirds of all water used in NSW.

We’re the people taking care of the state’s water at the source - capturing, storing, delivering.

How we will support you

At WaterNSW, we balance flexibility - and the way we work - with the needs of the business, our teams, and us as individuals. When it comes to working in an office, we work in a hybrid way. If you’re required to be in the fie

📌 Statutory & Environmental Planning Adviser (Parramatta)
🏢 State Water
📍 Parramatta