Lithgow City Council invites expressions of interest, from suitably qualified planning consultancy to manage and co-ordinate the assessment of a complex Planning Proposal. The proposal involves the re-development of a 610ha site, being the former Wallerawang Power Station site.

This contract provides an opportunity to work with a local government area undergoing accelerated economic change and diversification necessitated by decarbonisation of the energy sector and movement to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. As one of the first regional centres to be significantly impacted, the success of the Lithgow response will attract the focus and scrutiny of State and Federal governments.

To manage the Planning Proposal, Council would like to engage the services of a staff resource for the life of the Planning Proposal (up to 12 months), operating from within Lithgow City Council as an extension of Lithgow City Council staff. There is opportunity to modulate the contract to account for short periods of downtime when the proposal is being assessed externally (for example whilst awaiting response to additional information requests or Gateway Determination, and to accommodate some flexibility at times for working remotely).

The consultant will be responsible for the co-ordination and delivery of the following planning service in relation to one complex planning proposal:

• Liaison with Proponent including the negotiation of the Voluntary Planning Agreement

• Assessment of Planning Proposal (including review of technical reports)

• Preparing and Delivering Pre and Post Gateway Community and Government Agency Consultation and Engagement Strategy

• Preparing Council Reports and Briefings

• Co-ordination and preparation of Local Environmental Plan Amendment

• Administration of the Planning Proposal through the NSW Planning Portal

• Information sharing and capacity building of Council’s internal Strategic Planning Team