Harwood Andrews is delighted to have been identified by clients and peers for expertise and abilities in two areas for Victoria in the 2024 Doyles Guide.

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) has once more rejected proposals for a multi-tiered residential and commercial project in Portarlington.

Harwood Andrews is delighted to have been identified by clients and peers for expertise and abilities in two areas for Victoria in the 2023 Doyles Guide. Doyles Guide is a highly regarded independent annual peer review of the leading corporate law firms and lawyers in Victoria.

There are many examples of people who have studied and practised planning, that go on to study and practice planning law. Less common is the approach that Allison Tansley has taken, where she studied law at Monash University and then undertook a Master of Urban Planning at Melbourne University, before working as a Planner in local government and the private sector. Spend 60 seconds with Allison.

This video is presented by Planning and Environment Principal, Greg Tobin providing an update on recent changes to the Environment Protection Act 2017 (VIC). Covering the following topics:

Harwood Andrews is delighted to have been identified by clients and peers for expertise and abilities in two areas for Victoria in the 2022 Doyles Guide. Doyle's Guide is a highly regarded independent annual peer review of the leading corporate law firms and lawyers in Victoria.

On 1 July 2021, the Environment Protection Act 2017 (New Act) came into effect.

The new environment protection framework adopts a preventative, risk-based approach to preventing harm to human health and the environment. This is a shift away from the Former Act which adopted a prohibitive, reactionary approach whereby polluters were punished after committing an offence.

Harwood Andrews is delighted to have been identified by clients and peers for expertise and abilities in two areas for Victoria in the 2021 Doyles Guide. Doyle's Guide is a highly regarded independent annual peer review of the leading corporate law firms and lawyers in Victoria.

Harwood Andrews has acted for the City of Greater Geelong in a successful prosecution of the owners of ‘the Ritz’ - a prominent heritage listed building located on Bellerine Street, Geelong.

On 16 May 2016, the Victorian Government released the long-awaited report of the Independent Inquiry into the EPA (Report), the first comprehensive review of the State’s environmental regulator since its establishment in 1971.

In a widely expected outcome, the Court of Appeal yesterday refused leave to appeal against the orders of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in Hoskin v Greater Bendigo City Council, commonly known as Bendigo Mosque case.

In the lead up to the 2014 State election, the (then) Labor opposition promised to introduce legislation concerning the weight to be given to the number of objections received in respect of a planning permit application.

The answer, according to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in Canaan Holdings Pty Ltd v Whitehorse CC [2015] VCAT 1608, is ‘no’.

In February 2015, Whitehorse City Council decided to adopt Amendment C153 to the Whitehorse Planning Scheme (Amendment), which formed part of a combined application under s 96A of the Planning and Environment Act (Act).  Approximately a month late, in March, the Council purported to rescind its decision and to abandon the Amendment.

Harwood Andrews has been appointed as one of only 23 law firms to the new Victorian Government Legal Services Panel. Appointed to the panels for Property and Planning and Environment, Harwood Andrews is the only regional firm represented on the panel.

A recent decision of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal has confirmed further restrictions on the ability of Owners Corporation rules to regulate the use of lots. This decision follows an earlier ruling that Owners Corporations are unable to stop short term leasing of apartments.

A recent VCAT decision has clarified the powers of Owners Corporations to regulate short term leasing. It is common for Owners Corporation Rules to restrict certain activities that can be done in a multi-unit complex.

The Tribunal has recently considered the new reimbursement of fees provisions inserted into the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 1998 (VCAT Act) in 2014. 

The Tribunal recently commented upon the role that expert witnesses play in proceedings before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. 

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal  (VCAT) has last week considered the operation of Clause 61.01 which makes the Minister for Planning the responsible authority for certain planning applications within the City of Melbourne. 

Dustday Investments v Minister for Planning & Melbourne City Council [Dustday] represents the first judicial consideration of the current section 12(2) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987.