planning and environment

Our team offers a full suite of planning and environmental services to a spectrum of clients, including corporate, developer, institutional, government and private clients.

We act at every stage of the process ranging from initial advice regarding the viability of a project, to preparing planning applications, representing client interests at VCAT, Planning Panels and Advisory Committees as advocates and dealing with all issues that arise in the process of developing land. Our early involvement in projects is instrumental to achieve optimal minimisation of planning and environmental issues and to ensure expedient planning approval. We take a commercial approach to our clients' issues while working within the statutory framework in land development.

We understand the priorities of our clients and the complexity of issues in this field. Our extensive breadth of legal experience and grasp of the inherent commercial considerations provides our clients with the reassurance of best legal outcomes in a practical manner.

areas of expertise

We can offer clients advice and service in relation to: 

strategic and statutory planning advice; rezoning; planning appeals and panels; EPA matters, land contamination and remediation; planning and environmental due diligence in site acquisition projects; corporate social responsibility; flora, fauna and native vegetation; native vegetation and heritage matters; biodiversity offsets; development of industrial, commercial and residential land; retail planning; compulsory acquisition and compensation; valuation objections, rates and land tax advice; government advisory powers and statutory duties; regulatory compliance and enforcement matters; road law; water law, including wastewater re-use projects; resources projects; liquor licensing; and GAIC liability and opportunities arising from the expansion of the Urban Growth Boundary

industry experience

Our lawyers have the following experience:

• acting for the Satterley Property Group in relation to the development of Land and the former Kodak site in Coburg and various other parcels of land in Victoria’s urban growth areas. The advice has been wide ranging including advice on development plan approval, subdivision approval and permits, growth areas infrastructure contribution, precinct structure planning, flora and fauna and land contamination;
• acting for Cedar Woods Properties Limited in the acquisition of the former Laverton Airfield together with advising on all co-ownership, development, planning and environment issues (including the creation of a Comprehensive Development Zone, new retail / residential zoning, development and implementing of a Conservation Management Plan for three wetlands reserves and dealing with endangered species preservation and habitat);
• acting for the Receiver and Financier of a Property Developer in Victoria’s largest land contamination case involving the pollution by certain chemicals of a 49 unit residential development;
• acted for various Councils, advising on planning and environmental matters, appearing at VCAT on planning appeals, representing Councils in planning enforcement matters, and preparing and negotiating Section 173 Agreements; and
• acting for Centro Properties Group in an objection to the rezoning of land and representing client at Panel Hearing.

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