Northern Territory Planning Commission — Shape the Top-End’s Tomorrow 🏗️🌅
“We read Public Sector Annual Reports so you don’t have to!”
A lean budget, Territory-wide mandate and projects that influence billions in land development: if you’re looking for a niche where your planning, engineering or policy chops punch well above their weight, the Northern Territory Planning Commission (NTPC) deserves a spot on your radar.
AT-A-GLANCE:
• Name of Department / Council: Northern Territory Planning Commission
• Location: Territory-wide (head office Darwin)
• CEO (Chairman): Dr David Ritchie
• Total Revenue (2023-24): $366 000 NT Government appropriation
• Total Number of Employees: ~1 FTE secretariat staff + 7 statutory Commissioners (employee expenses $91 000 imply a single professional officer)
DID YOU KNOW? 🤔
With a budget roughly equal to the median Darwin house deposit, the NTPC still guided four major area-plan projects and consulted 583 Territorians face-to-face last year —proof that smart strategy, not size, drives impact.
THE QUALIFICATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, TRADES, PROFESSIONS, WORK EXPERIENCES & SKILLS MOST SUITED TO NTPC
🎓 Top 5 academic qualifications most suited:
• Urban & Regional Planning degree – core to drafting strategic area plans.
• Environmental Science – assesses ecological values in land-use scenarios.
• Civil / Transport Engineering – translates growth forecasts into corridor designs.
• GIS & Spatial Information diploma – powers mapping and scenario modelling.
• Public Policy / Government Administration – turns technical insight into Cabinet-ready briefs.
📜 Top 5 certifications most suited:
• Certified Practising Planner (PIA) – national planning benchmark.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) – keeps multi-agency timelines on track.
• Certified Environmental Practitioner (CEnvP) – builds credibility on impact advice.
• Advanced Diploma of Local Government – aligns with council partners.
• Prosci Change Management – helps communities transition smoothly.
🛠️ Top 5 trades / professions most suited:
• Surveyor – captures cadastral precision for new precincts.
• Draftsperson – converts concepts into visual plans.
• Building Designer – advises on climate-smart Territory housing.
• Infrastructure Electrician – future-proofs utilities in growth corridors.
• Heavy Vehicle Mechanic – insights for logistics node planning.
💡 Top 5 skills most suited:
• Stakeholder engagement & facilitation – 500+ direct interactions annually.
• Spatial analysis & GIS
• Plain-English policy writing
• Data-driven decision-making
• First Nations cultural awareness
🧳 Top 5 work experiences most suited:
• Local-government development assessment
• Infrastructure feasibility studies
• Community co-design workshops
• Environmental impact assessment
• Defence estate planning (Middle Arm & RAAF Base projects)
THE KEY FACTS
• Name of Department: Northern Territory Planning Commission
• Chair / CEO: Dr David Ritchie
• Location: Territory-wide mandate; HQ Darwin
• Year Founded: 2012 (via Planning Act 1999 amendments)
• Main mission & purpose: Set the strategic framework for integrated land-use, transport and infrastructure planning that fuels economic growth and community well-being. Example: the emerging Greater Holtze Area Plan clusters future housing around a planned hospital and rail spur, cutting commute times for thousands.
• Main duties: Develop strategic land-use plans, advise the Minister on significant development proposals and champion community engagement—three hearings and 12 statutory reports delivered in 2023-24.
• Key projects & future plans:
• Territory-wide Strategic Directions Planning Policy (in draft)
• Greater Weddell sub-regional plan (includes Middle Arm precinct)
• Humpty Doo Rural Activity Centre finalisation
• Alice Springs – South of the Gap land-use plan
THE EMPLOYEES & REVENUE
• Total Employees: Approx. 1 FTE secretariat + 7 Commissioners (lean expert model).
• Employees by pay level: Secretariat roles typically AO5 – SAO1; Commissioners remunerated per sitting day.
• Salary Bands (NT Public Sector 2024):
• Administrative Officer AO4 ~ $71-77 k
• AO6 (Senior Planner) ~ $97-103 k
• Principal Planner SAO2 ~ $123-138 k
• Executive Contract Officer 1 ~ $146-165 k
• Average salary estimate: ~ $100 k (professional planning roles).
• Total Revenue 2023-24: $366 000
• Average Revenue per Employee: ≈ $122 k (based on 3 salaried positions incl. back-up support).
GETTING A JOB AT NTPC 📝
Which academic subjects are in demand?
Certificate / Diploma Level:
• GIS & Spatial Information Services
• Community Engagement
• Project Administration
Bachelor / Master Level:
• Urban & Regional Planning
• Civil / Environmental Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Public Policy / Governance
PhDs:
• Climate Adaptation & Resilience
• Indigenous Land Management
• Transport Systems Modelling
Which trades & professions are valued?
Surveying, drafting, traffic engineering, ICT network design, community development, infrastructure electricians.
Which work experiences stand out?
Local-government approvals, major-project EIS, corridor design, regional development, Defence infrastructure.
Which skills shine?
Soft skills: Facilitation, negotiation, cultural competency, clear writing.
Technical skills: ArcGIS/QGIS, CAD, scenario modelling, statutory-planning analytics.
General skills: Project management, public speaking, risk analysis, data storytelling.
Which hobbies & interests align? 🚴♀️📸
Bushwalking & nature photography, cycling advocacy, volunteering at community-planning forums, drone mapping, geocaching.
Want more information on this organisation?
Northern Territory Planning Commission
📍 GPO Box 1680, Darwin NT 0801
☎️ (08) 8999 6435
✉️ planningcommission.dipl@nt.gov.au
🌐 planningcommission.nt.gov.au
💼 Current vacancies: jobs.nt.gov.au (search “Planning Commission” or “Infrastructure, Planning & Logistics”)
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