Primary Purpose of the Role

The Senior Manager Precinct and Place leads the delivery of precinct and place planning, urban integration and design excellence outcomes for the Newcastle to Sydney High Speed Rail project, and supports strategic station and precinct planning for the broader National High Speed Rail Network.

The role provides strategic advice on station precinct master planning, urban design, land-use integration and placemaking. It develops precinct strategies, planning frameworks and design requirements to integrate High Speed Rail stations with surrounding communities, support housing and development opportunities, and maximise customer, economic and regional development outcomes.

Working across the Integrated Project Team and with government agencies, local councils, communities and delivery partners, the role leads agreed planning activities and stakeholder engagement, ensuring precinct, place and design outcomes are translated into project requirements, design development and Authority decision-making.

The key duties of the position include:

Key Responsibilities

Precinct and Place Planning

- Lead the delivery of precinct and place planning for the Newcastle to Sydney Project, translating strategic priorities into precinct strategies, planning requirements and design outcomes.
- Develop station precinct planning and master planning frameworks that integrate High Speed Rail stations with surrounding land uses, communities and transport networks, supporting customer, housing, economic and regional development outcomes.
- Develop and implement agreed urban design, placemaking and design excellence requirements, including Designing with Country, public realm, accessibility and future precinct activation opportunities.
- Guide precinct and place inputs throughout the Development Phase, including assessment of design options, support for planning approvals and resolution of significant planning, design and delivery interfaces.

Land Use Planning

- Lead the Authority's precinct and place planning inputs to housing, land-use and regional development initiatives, including joint planning activities with government agencies.
- Identify opportunities to maximise housing, employment, development and wider economic benefits around High Speed Rail stations, providing planning evidence and advice to support government planning initiatives, benefits assessment and investment decisions.




- Provide precinct and place planning inputs for the broader National High Speed Rail Network, including future station precincts, land-use integration and development opportunities.
- Coordinate planning interfaces with Property, Commercial and other Authority functions to support property requirements, development opportunities and land use and precinct considerations.

Planning Leadership and Program Delivery

- Lead and manage the Precinct and Place work program, including priorities, deliverables, resources, budgets, schedules, risks and performance.
- Direct and oversee specialist advisers and consultants, establishing explicit expectations for scope, quality, performance and delivery.
- Provide oversight and quality assurance of planning advice, investigations and deliverables, challenging assumptions and ensuring recommendations are robust, integrated and fit for purpose.
- Coordinate planning activities across the Integrated Project Team and external delivery partners, managing key dependencies and providing strategic advice, governance papers and recommendations to support Authority decision-making.

Government and Stakeholder Engagement

- Build and maintain effective relationships with Australian, state and territory government agencies, local councils, communities, industry and other stakeholders to advance the Authority's precinct and place objectives.
- Lead planning engagement and collaboration to align High Speed Rail precinct development with relevant land-use, housing, infrastructure, urban design and regional development strategies.
- Represent the Authority in precinct planning discussions, working groups and stakeholder forums, influencing decisions, resolving competing priorities and building agreement on planning and design outcomes.

Eligibility

Employment with the Authority is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 included:

- Citizenship: must be an Australian citizen to be eligible for employment with the Authority.
- Qualification:



Degree or equivalent working experience.
- Pre-Employment Screening: Police check is a mandatory requirement check
- Security Clearance: Baseline Clearance

Notes

Why Join Us

At the High-Speed Rail Authority, you’ll help shape the systems that support Australia’s proposed future high speed rail network. We offer:

- A purpose-driven culture focused on integrity and innovation
- Opportunities to influence national governance and risk strategy
- Flexibility, growth, and meaningful work
- Support for relevant learning, training and study assistance for staff’s professional development
- 4 weeks annual leave
- 20 days personal/carers leave per annum
- Free annual flu vaccinations
- Fitness passport
- EAP services

How to Apply

To submit your application, click the Apply button. You will be redirected to the HSRA e-Recruit Portal to complete and submit your application.

For any questions about the role, please email ***********@hsra.gov.au with the position title in the subject line.

If you have any issues with applying, please email ***********@hsra.gov.au

Application Close: Sunday 22 November 2026 at 12.00am

Merit Pool

A merit pool of suitable candidates may be created from this selection process. Suitable candidates placed on the merit pool may be contacted in relation to identical or similar vacancies on an ongoing basis at High Speed Rail Authority, or the broader APS, within 18 months from the start date of this advertisement.

Getting to know the High Speed Rail Authority

About High Speed Rail Authority The Australian Government is planning a future high speed rail network to connect Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and regional communities across the east coast of Australia. The High Speed Rail Authority (the Authority), an independent corporate Commonwealth entity governed by an independent board, is leading the development and delivery of High Speed Rail. Line 1, connecting Newcastle to Sydney on a dedicated new railway using trains travelling up to 320km/h, is now in the Development Phase. High Speed Rail will contribute to a number of key Australian Government priorities, including increased economic productivity, new housing options, regional economic and tourism development and contributing to net zero. More information about the Authority and our work is available at: www.hsra.gov.au .

📌 Senior Manager – Precinct and Place (Sydney)
🏢 High Speed Rail Authority
📍 Sydney