Expression of Interest – Northern Regional Planning Panel

The Joint Regional Planning Panel system was first established by the NSW Government in 2009. The planning panel responsible for matters concerning Clarence Valley Council is the Northern Regional Planning Panel (NRPP).

Regional Planning Panels:

• determine regionally significant development applications (DAs), certain other DAs and s4.55(2) and s4.56 modification applications
• act as the Planning Proposal Authority (PPA) when directed
• undertake rezoning reviews
• provide advice on other planning and development matters when requested
• determine site compatibility certificates under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing for Seniors or People with a Disability) 2004.

  The main types of development for which the panel is responsible include:

• development that has a capital investment value of more than $30 million
• Council-related development that has a capital investment value of more than $5 million, where council is the applicant, owner, developer or party to an agreement relating to the development
• Crown development that has a capital investment value of more than $5 million
• some types of designated development, including extractive industries, marinas and waste management facilities.

Planning Panels consist of five (5) members, with three (3) of the members, including the chair, appointed by the Minister (State members) and 2 members nominated by the relevant Council (Council members).

Clarence Valley Council is seeking to appoint one (1) external permanent panel member and one (1) external alternate panel member. Term of appointment for the Panel member will be three (3) years.

You must have demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following areas: planning, architecture, heritage, the environment, urban design, land economics, traffic and transport, law, engineering or tourism. Property developers and real estate agents are not eligible to be members of a Panel.

The successful applicant will be appropriately qualified, skilled and have relevant experience, demonstrating the ability to assess regionally significant development proposals in accordance with the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and other relevant acts, regulations and guidelines.

The external panel member will join Councillor Greg Clancy as Council’s other member. Mayor Ray Smith and Councillors Lynne Cairns and Peter Johnstone are the alternatives to Cr Clancy.

All panel members must comply with the Planning Panel’s Operational Procedures and Code of Conduct.

The operational procedures require council to arrange probity checks on council nominees, including a police check, a bankruptcy record check and a public register of real estate agents check. The procedures also require council nominees fill out a statutory declaration to indicate that they are not a real estate agent or a property developer.

Further information about the Planning Panels is available on the NSW Planning Portal.

The external panel member will be paid a fee for service as determined by Council, being:

• $200 per hour plus GST, capped to a maximum $1,000 plus GST per matter.  

The maximum meeting rate is inclusive of all the work the panel member does for each matter, including preparation, travel, site visits, meetings, and any further deliberation, voting and subsequent preparation of reasons for determination once a meeting has closed. 

You can make a submission by providing:

• a cover letter addressing the points below
• your resume
• a copy of your qualification/s
• a statement outlining how you will manage any conflicts of interest in accordance with the Code of Conduct
• a statutory declaration to indicate that they are not a real estate agent or a property developer
• contact details for at least 2 referees (must not be Clarence Valley Council Officers or Councillors).

The cover letter should be no more than two (2) pages and address how you meet the following criteria:

• knowledge of complex development assessment and planning matters
• details of relevant qualifications and experience
• senior level experience in dealing with professional and community stakeholders
• high level communication and analytical skills.

The closing date for applications is close of business Monday 2 December 2024 and are to be made to planningsupport@clarence.nsw.gov.au.