Ararat Rural City Council is located 2 hours northwest of Melbourne and is a growing regional centre, a trend which is predicted to continue as more people pursue a tree-change lifestyle with all essential services at their fingertips.

We recognise that our employees are the key to making a difference and delivering our vision for a vibrant and sustainable community. Council is committed to serving our community in a friendly and professional way and offers fantastic employee conditions including a 9-day fortnight, flexible working options, a health and wellbeing program, professional development opportunities, and much more.

We are an equal-opportunity employer committed to providing a working workplace that embraces and values diversity and inclusion, allowing our staff to thrive and grow.

About You :

Qualifications & Experience

- Degree qualification in Town Planning, Environmental Planning or a related discipline.
- Several years’ experience in statutory planning, planning enforcement, compliance, regulation or a related field.
- Qualification in investigations, compliance, regulation, enforcement or law would be advantageous.

Key Selection Criteria

- Demonstrated experience investigating and resolving planning, development or compliance matters in a regulatory environment.
- Sound knowledge of planning legislation, statutory planning processes and enforcement frameworks, together with the ability to interpret and apply legislative requirements.
- Experience preparing statutory notices, enforcement documentation, reports and evidentiary material to support compliance and legal proceedings.
- Proven ability to analyse complex issues, exercise sound judgement and determine appropriate compliance,



enforcement and resolution strategies.
- Highly developed communication, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to influence, educate and work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders to achieve compliance outcomes.
- Demonstrated ability to independently manage a complex and varied caseload while maintaining accurate, timely and legally defensible records.

Position Summary :

The Development Compliance Officer is responsible for investigating, assessing, and resolving planning and development compliance matters in accordance with the Planning and Environment Act 1987, relevant legislation, Council policies and regulatory requirements.

A key focus of the position is to engage, educate and work constructively with landowners, developers, businesses and community members to achieve voluntary compliance wherever possible. Through effective communication, stakeholder engagement and professional judgement, the position seeks to resolve issues proactively while balancing regulatory obligation and community expectations.

The role manages complex compliance investigations, prepares enforcement and legal documentation where required, and supports Council’s statutory responsibilities through the effective regulation of land use and development.



The position operates with a high degree of autonomy, professional judgement and stakeholder engagement to achieve sustainable outcomes and protect the municipality's amenity, safety and integrity.

Key Requirements :

Accountability & Extent of Authority

- Operates with a high degree of autonomy and professional judgement in managing planning compliance investigations.
- Exercises delegated authority in accordance with legislation, Council policies and procedures.
- Provides specialist advice and recommendations that inform regulatory and legal decisions.
- Ensures all investigations and enforcement actions comply with legislative and evidentiary requirements.

Judgement & Decision Making

- Independently assesses complex planning compliance matters and associated risks.
- Interprets legislation, planning controls and legal precedents to determine appropriate enforcement responses.
- Resolves complex matters where solutions require analysis, investigation and professional judgement.

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

- Extensive knowledge of planning legislation, planning schemes and permit processes.
- Experience conducting investigations and managing regulatory compliance matters.
- Ability to prepare evidence and documentation for enforcement and legal proceedings.
- Knowledge of local government governance and regulatory frameworks.
- Experience appearing before VCAT or courts.

Management Skills

- Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
- Experience managing complex projects or investigations.
- Capacity to influence and guide stakeholders in achieving compliance outcomes.
- Ability to contribut

📌 Development Compliance Officer (Ballarat)
🏢 Ararat Rural City Council
📍 Ballarat