Commissioner

The NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC) determines large-scale, complex and often contentious State significant development applications. The Commission is a standalone agency of the NSW Government and plays an important role in building community confidence in the decision-making processes for major development and land-use planning state-wide.

The Commission operates with a high degree of transparency and with a core focus on public participation in its processes. The Commission will always accept written submissions and in most cases will also run a public process in the locality of the proposed development to hear verbal submissions from affected members of the community.

The Minister for Planning and Public Spaces seeks candidates for appointment as members of the IPC.

The key functions of the Commission include:

• Determining State significant development applications
• Conducting public hearings for major development applications and other planning and development matters
• Providing independent advice on any planning and development matters.

Commission cases include renewable and other energy infrastructure, mining, quarries, private schools and major urban developments. Commissioners are appointed to panels of up to three members to determine individual cases, supported by staff of the Office of the Independent Planning Commission to deliver quality community engagement and sound planning outcomes with legal rigour.

Requirements for Commissioners

Commissioners must have:

• The confidence to make sound decisions on complex, contentious and sometimes technical matters —drawing on and trusting the advice of others
• Demonstrated high standards of integrity and professional conduct
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, including the ability to manage public consultations and constructively handle robust community engagement
• Background in one or more of the nominated areas of: planning, architecture, heritage, the environment, urban design, land economics, soil and agricultural science, hydro-geology, mining and petroleum development, traffic and transport, law, engineering, tourism, government and public administration (there is no requirement that a candidate’s background in one of these fields is as a practitioner – a relevant academic or research background, for example, could meet this requirement).

Download further information from the link on the right. For a confidential discussion contact Michael Holdway at Searchlight Group on +61 400 006 513. Applications close at midnight on Sunday 12th April 2026.

Closing Date: April 12, 2026