Aaron

Infrastructure Planning Officer
NSW Government

What’s your current job?

I am an Infrastructure Planning Officer at the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure in New South Wales.

What do you love the most about your job?

The diversity of tasks and options within my role. Every week there’s a new situation or problem to investigate and develop solutions for. Whether it is contract negotiation with developers, working with government agencies to deliver roads and schools or investigating infrastructure needs for future housing and development fronts. Every week I get to learn or do something different, work across the Planning department and State Government and meeting interesting people whilst getting the opportunity to make positive change to the built environment in NSW.

Why did you choose a career in planning?

I chose planning because I grew up in Western Sydney where I felt there was a severe lack of planning! I wanted to have the ability to get involved in the decision-making process for urban development in Western Sydney. I wanted greater public transport options, quality green spaces and housing options. And now as an Infrastructure Planner – I can help make all these things possible. 

What are some of the most interesting projects that you’ve worked on?

Even though I’ve only been working as a Planner for almost 3 years, I have worked on several amazing and impactful projects. I was part of the environmental assessment team for a 340MW wind farm in northern NSW. I have been fortunate enough to assist on the introduction and implementation of new infrastructure funding policies in Western Sydney, as well as the planning for large-scale infrastructure such as motorway interchanges and future transport corridors. I am also assisting on work associated with moving the NSW/ACT border for a future housing estate!

Why should someone choose a career in planning?

Planners get to make a difference to the way cities and towns and the regions work. A career in planning has unlimited career avenues, the base BCP Degree can open hundreds of doors, whether it be strategic planning, statutory planning, environmental assessment, development assessment, contributions planning, and the list goes on! You will never get bored in a planning role because its relatively easy to learn, change or adapt to the different streams of planning available.

What three words would you use to describe planning?

Diverse, impactful,  everywhere!