Resource Consents Planner

Resource Consents Planner

Live, work, and play in Aotearoa New Zealand’s most spectacular setting.

No two days at Queenstown Lakes District Council are the same.  Every day we provide services, facilities, and programmes essential to the health and wellbeing of our people and environment, while stepping up to the challenges and opportunities that come with being New Zealand’s fastest growing territorial authority.

At QLDC, our people are driven by care, connection, and community. All our roles sit at the heart of a dynamic and diverse district where you’ll make a genuine difference every day.

We currently have vacancies within our Resource Consents Planning team, based in our Queenstown office. Whether you’re a planner with 3+ years’ experience or perhaps a policy planner with strong consenting experience it’s an opportune time to consider joining the team. We can offer:

• Meaningful work alongside a supportive and experienced resource consents leadership team.
• Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities.
• Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid options.
• Discounted membership to QLDC’s health and fitness facilities.

What you’ll be doing / He aha te mahi

You’ll join a close-knit team of planners in the most beautiful and fun environment in Aotearoa. You will process resource consent applications (both land use and subdivision) and will be responsible for making sound recommendations on decisions in accordance with the requirements of the Resource Management Act and the District Plan.

The role will involve:

• Processing of resource consent applications and drafting of decision recommendations for both landuse and subdivision consents.
• Making sound recommendations and decisions under the RMA and District Plan.
• Decision-making on notification and non-notified applications (Senior Planner only).
• Attending pre-application meetings and at times preparing and presenting evidence at hearings, mediations, and (where required) the Environment Court.
• Building strong relationships with customers, stakeholders, and the community.
• Depending on the role you join us in, providing technical guidance, mentoring, and review of colleagues’ work, assisting more senior planners with responding to technical complex queries and/or mentoring more junior members of the team.

What you’ll bring to the role / Ko wai to Pukeka

You’ll have significant knowledge and practical application (3+ years) of the Resource Management Act 1991 and allied legislation, in particular processing and/or making applications for resource consent (both land use and subdivision) and interpreting a District Plan. This is not a remote role; our ideal candidate will be available to work in our Queenstown office.

To best succeed in this role, you’ll have:

• Tertiary degree qualification in Resource Management or Urban Planning.
• Membership of the NZPI or equivalent, or membership eligibility.
• Demonstrated ability to present topics to your peers, the public, professionals, at Council level hearings and meetings. Environment Court work and mediations would be an advantage also.
• Proven track record of developing and maintaining positive relationships across a broad range of stakeholders.
• Problem-solving mindset, ability to think strategically, pragmatically and outside the box.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Full New Zealand/international driver’s license.

What we offer / Ko a matou whakaratoka

We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package that supports your health, wellbeing, and professional growth.

• Southern Cross Wellbeing One Plan
• Discounted membership to our health and fitness facilities
• Hybrid working practices
• Genuine commitment to your training and career development

With vacancies based in our Queenstown office, you’ll have the chance to live and work in a truly inspiring environment while helping shape our community’s future. To express your interest, please follow the link to apply. For any questions prior, please contact Natasha Brown, Team Leader - Resource Consents on [email protected].

Please note we will review and process applications as they come through; we encourage your early application.