PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT

With demonstrated and revered experience working alongside local government, state government, planning authorities and statutory bodies, the planning and environment team intimately understands their decision-making processes and objectives, resulting in pragmatic advice to these authorities or developers seeking approval.   

It is this devoted focus that sees the team advising on a broad range of commercial, residential and infrastructure projects across an array of industry sectors including retail, residential development, commercial, agricultural, industrial, aged care, wind, and mineral resources. 

Additionally, the team regularly represents clients in matters before the Planning and Environment List of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) and Ministerially Appointed Planning Panels and Advisory Committees. 

Let the team guide you through: 

• Planning Scheme Amendments, including rezoning. 

• Planning permit applications and other planning approvals. 

• Planning Panel and VCAT appeal advocacy and dispute resolution. 

• Development contributions and development agreements under section 173 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987. 

• Site acquisition and environmental due diligence. 

• Management of environmental approvals, contamination, pollution abatement notices and clean up notices under the Environment Protection Act 1970. 

• Heritage matters. 

• Aboriginal cultural heritage management plans. 

• Planning and other regulatory compliance, enforcement, prosecution and defence. 

• Environmental Effects Statements. 

• Commonwealth environmental approvals advice. 

• Compulsory acquisition, valuation and compensation. 

• Water law. 

• Environmental sustainability. 

• Regulation of gaming machines and licensing.