- Produce meaningful outcomes for development in the City of Ryde.
- Collaborate in a multidisciplinary team.
- Work life balance with an RDO every 3 weeks
- We are moving to Macquarie Park in 2026!
About Us
City of Ryde, just 12 kilometres from Sydney CBD, is a place of unique lifestyle and opportunity. It is home to an engaged and culturally diverse community of around 130,000 people, and a strong and growing Smart City economy including more than 13,000 local businesses, Macquarie Park, world-class hospitals, and a leading university. All balanced with beautiful bushland, riverfront parks, open spaces, and sport facilities.
Our council delivers a broad range of services, projects, programs, and events. We are actively committed to innovation, sustainability, resilience and providing exceptional customer experiences, and this relies on attracting and keeping great people. We are a recognised Employer of Choice (Australian Business Awards 2022) and offer a range of benefits, including flexible work arrangements, health and wellbeing programs, a learning and development program including study support, and a reward and recognition program.
About the Role
The City of Ryde is a city on the move with significant levels of single dwellings, “missing middle” development (duplexes and townhouses), all the way up to major commercial and residential development, underway in many parts of our local government area. As a result, we have an exciting opportunity for a Landscape Architect in the Development Assessment section to review development proposals and provide specialised advice concerning landscape design and tree management matters to our planning team, applicants and residents contemplating development.
You will be a key member of the Development Assessment team. This is an outstanding opportunity for you to use your landscaping and arborist expertise to promote a greener outcome for the City of Ryde and reduce the impact of the natural development imposed by development, providing you with professional satisfaction and career life balance.
About You
You have an eye for good landscaping design, knowledge of construction logistics related to bringing such designs to life and are also mindful of the impact of other construction activities on a development site which can impact existing and proposed trees and landscaping. You are skilled in presenting and communicating such knowledge in an easy manner to the common person, whether it be a resident or professional in the industry. You are committed to developing effective solutions to landscaping issues related to development so as to achieve Council’s objectives, development controls, as well as facilitate the best outcome for applicants and the surrounding community. It is preferable you will have significant demonstrated experience in Local Government or in the Planning industry.
In addition, you will also have:
- Proven experience as a Landscape Architect concerning the design of landscaped areas and tree management.
- Proven ability to assess Landscape Plans and Arborist Reports so as to advise Planning staff on the adequacy of proposed landscape designs or potential tree impacts that arise from all forms of development, especially major commercial and residential projects.
- A high level of oral and written communication skills with ability to prepare reports for presentation to Council, Planning Panels and the Land & Environment Court
- Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills able to manage outcomes in situations where there are strong competing interests.
- Strong personal time management skills with ability to prioritise work and multi-task to meet deadlines.
- An understanding of local government, environmental and planning legislation and the application of relevant planning policies.
- Tertiary qualification or similar as a Landscape Architect.
- Current Class C driver's licence
- Sound level of PC skills with proven ability to learn new systems/applications quickly
Your commencing annual salary will range from $91,245.60 to $118,619.28 + Superannuation, dependent on your experience and qualifications.
Culture & Benefits
- Be a member of a diverse team culture where you play fulfill a specialised role
- Commitment to providing opportunities for work/life balance
- Hybrid work from home and office arrangements available
- Work 37.5 hours and enjoy a rostered day off approx. every 3 weeks
- Long service leave after 5 years, then accrued monthly
- 18 weeks paid parental leave (for eligible employees)
- 3 extra grant days at Christmas to ensure you have time to enjoy the holiday
- Annual performance reviews and Award increases
- Opportunity to sign up as a fitness passport member
- Various health & well-being initiatives (i.e. flu vaccinations, skin checks, etc.)
How to apply
If you're ready to contribute to a responsible and sustainable future for development as a Landscape Architect with us at City of Ryde, we would love to hear from you.
Please ensure you give full answers to the online application questions, showcasing your abilities and experience. Your answers, in conjunction with your resume, will determine if you are invited to an interview.
Please note you do not need a “password” to use our on-line application system, however you have the option save and return to your application prior to the closing date. In addition to answering the online questions, this position requires you to attach your Resume to complete the application process. Please note, you are not required to submit a cover letter or a statement addressing selection criteria.
Closing Date: 22 February 2026 at 11:30pm
If you would like to know more, please see the position description or contact Daniel Pearse on 0434 568 041 for a confidential discussion.
City of Ryde is committed to Equal Employment and Child Safety