Planning & Environment Lead
The Opportunity
At APA, our purpose is to secure Australia’s energy future. We’re not doing it alone. We’re doing it with our customers and communities as Australia’s energy infrastructure partner, a role our unique experience and expertise positions us to play.
We now have an exciting opportunity available for a Planning and Environment Lead to join us working on a range of energy infrastructure projects. This role will be based in Brisbane on a full-time basis. As part of an Access, Approvals & Geospatial Solutions team, this position plays a critical role in enabling the successful delivery of APA’s major infrastructure and growth projects through effective planning, environmental and regulatory approvals.
Reporting to the Manager, Planning and Environment, you will play a key role in leading the development and execution of approvals strategies, managing complex regulatory pathways, and driving the delivery of planning, environmental and heritage approvals. You will work closely across project teams and with external stakeholders to achieve balanced, pragmatic outcomes that support project delivery while managing risk, compliance and community impacts.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the end-to-end delivery of planning, environmental, land access, native title and heritage approval processes across energy infrastructure projects including gas pipeline, GPGs and renewables
Develop and execute approvals strategies and pathways, ensuring alignment to project schedules and critical milestones
Proactively identify and manage access and approval risks, integrating these into project cost, risk and schedule frameworks
Build and maintain strong relationships with internal teams, regulators and key stakeholders
Oversee external consultants, including scope development, performance management and delivery outcomes
Ensure all approvals activities meet statutory obligations, internal policies and compliance/audit requirements
Your background
Proven experience leading planning, environmental and regulatory approvals for large-scale infrastructure or energy projects
Strong capability in developing approvals strategies, including pathway analysis, risk identification, budget and schedule optimisation
Demonstrated ability to manage complex stakeholder environments, including government bodies, Traditional Owners and community groups
Solid commercial acumen with experience balancing approvals risk, cost and project timelines
Experience managing and influencing external consultants and cross-functional project teams
Demonstrated understanding of statutory requirements, compliance frameworks and governance processes within planning / environmental approvals
About the Team
The Access, Approvals and Geospatial Solutions team is committed to building strong relationships, securing land access and project approvals and fostering positive community outcomes across all stages of project development.
We support the delivery of energy infrastructure projects across Australia by providing expert services across gas transmission and storage, gas powered generation, and power development, - enabling APA to be world class in energy solutions.
This is an exciting time, implementing APA’s portfolio growth and asset transformation, and we need people who are courageous, nimble, and ready to make an impact.
APA offers a flexible work environment working on world class energy infrastructure projects at the heart of Australia’s energy transition.
Working at APA
At APA, we’re committed to fostering a safe and inclusive workplace where you can achieve your best.
We offer targeted career development programs designed to accelerate your career, competitive remuneration, employee benefits, flexible working arrangements, and wellbeing initiatives are all part of what we’ll offer you. Our inclusive parental leave policy offers 18 weeks of leave, including superannuation, to support parents at work and in life.
We employ around 2,000 people across Australia and are committed to building a high-performing, customer-focused organisation where everyone feels safe, valued, and trusted to perform at their best.
We are APA
At APA, we’re taking on one of Australia’s greatest challenges: the energy transition. We’re not doing it alone. We’re doing it as Australia’s energy infrastructure partner, a role our unique experience and expertise positions us to play.
We proudly own, operate and manage a diverse $20 billion portfolio of assets which deliver essential services to communities and customers across Australia. And we own more than 15,000 kilometres of gas pipelines which deliver energy to households and businesses across every corner of Australia.
As the partner of choice in delivering infrastructure solutions for the energy transition, we’re focused on bundled remote grid energy solutions, electricity and gas transmission, and future energy, including hydrogen and carbon capture and storage.
Our customer focused approach means we understand our customers and offer them reliable, innovative, and cost-effective energy solutions that support their decarbonisation ambitions.
We are committed to securing Australia’s energy future by delivering infrastructure solutions for Australia’s energy transition and supporting the decarbonisation ambitions of our customers and communities.
Join our team and be part of securing Australia’s energy future. We’d love to hear from you.
APA is an equal opportunity employer. The safety, health and wellbeing our people, community and environment a priority. We embrace diversity in our people to ensure our workforce is representative of the communities that we operate in.
Applicants must be eligible to work in Australia to be considered.
This vacancy works with critical APA data, systems or infrastructure and candidates are subject to background vetting (including Police checks) before & during employment.
Role closes on Wednesday, 1 July 2026. Role Reference Number: JR4543APA Group will not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies.
We will contact successful candidates after the closing date.