Principal Open Space Planner

About Merri-bek City Council

Merri-bek City Council is a progressive council of 195,125 residents: one community, proudly diverse. Our council area sits within the banks of the Merri Creek and the Moonee Ponds Creek, and includes Brunswick, Coburg, Fawkner, Glenroy, Gowanbrae, Hadfield, Oak Park and Pascoe Vale. Our city is vibrant and energetic, known for its active community, cultural diversity, creative industries and the arts. Our long-term vision has ambitious goals for environmental sustainability, social justice, community wellbeing, and creating great places. With the Civic Centre located in Coburg, 8 kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD, there are excellent public transport options and great food and cafés right at the doorstep.

Merri-bek Council strives to be a contemporary, innovative and collaborative organisation with a deep commitment to engaging and supporting the Merri-bek community. Our organisational vision is to be one team, brave and diverse, making a difference.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive and welcoming workplace. We offer flexible and hybrid work options and genuinely care about providing our staff work/life balance. With the Civic Centre located in Coburg, 8 kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD, there are excellent public transport options and great food, cafés, parks and a cinema right at the doorstep. Merri-bek is a great place to live, work and play.

About the role

Council’s Open Space Planner plays a key role within the Open Space Design & Development Unit, to guide the planning for the management and enhancement of Merri-bek’s open spaces. This role will drive Council’s Park and Playground renewal program and provide review and advice to internal stakeholders. The role will liaise with key stakeholders on matters affecting open space including adjacent municipalities and external agencies (such as Melbourne Water, Level Crossing Removal Project and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action). This is a fantastic opportunity for an individual who has knowledge and expertise in open space planning and management. The candidate will relish the opportunity to step into a dynamic role, working with an engaged team and enjoy working with Council and the community to achieve our goals for open space. You are required to have a tertiary qualification in open space planning, environmental management, natural resource management or other similar field or discipline with subsequent relevant experience, or a lesser formal qualification with substantial relevant experience. Local government experience in the open space planning sphere would be advantageous.

Skills and experience required to perform the role

• Tertiary qualifications in open space planning, environmental management, natural resource management or other similar field or discipline with subsequent relevant experience.
• Demonstrated skills and experience in working at a senior level in project management for the development and implementation of an Open Space Strategy or similar.
• Demonstrated experience in internal engagement and external community engagement.
• Highly developed project management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical advice and solutions using a range of communication methods to stakeholders on strategic issues related to external facing strategies.
• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant legislation, policies, public sector issues and procedures related to the use and development of public open space.
• Demonstrated strength in the application of techniques and methods to identify and analyse issues related to public open space management including the use of spatial mapping software (ARCGIS Pro preferred).
• Skills in design and graphic software (Autocad and Adobe) are an advantage.

What the role can offer

• Monthly RDO
• Extensive opportunities for training & career development
• Salary sacrifice options
• A real sense of work-life balance & flexible work options
• Employer-supported study assistance schemes
• Wellness programs

Further support offered for our staff

• Up to 20 weeks primary & up to 5 weeks secondary parental leave
• Purchase leave
• Ceremonial leave
• Gender affirmation leave
• Family violence leave

For further information about this position please contact Richard Tolliday – Unit Manager Open Space Design and Development on 0429 073 439 or

Applications close: 11:30 pm on Friday, 15 May 2026. In the case that we receive a high volume of applications, we reserve the right to close this advertisement before the current closing date.

Merri-bek City Council is proudly diverse and an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, people with disability, and people from every culture, sexuality and gender identity, age and ethnic background. Merri-bek City Council is committed to being a Child Safe organisation and has zero tolerance for child abuse.