There are many challenges in the complex and highly regulated development industry. Harwood Andrews' planning and environment experience covers a broad range of industry sectors including retail, residential development, commercial, industrial, aged care, wind and mineral resources.

Because we work closely for and with many local government planning authorities and statutory bodies, we have an intimate understanding of their operation, allowing us to provide you with a competitive advantage and ensure that matters are resolved quickly and successfully.

We offer practical commercial advice and representation in all aspects of planning and environment law including:

  • Zoning and planning permit applications, planning approvals, appeals and panels, dispute resolution
  • Site acquisition and environmental due diligence
  • Management of approvals, pollution abatement notices and clean up notices under the Environment Protection Act 1970
  • Advising in the management and remediation of water pollution, waste management, air pollution contaminated sites and the preparation of associated plans
  • Development agreements and developer contributions
  • Heritage matters
  • Aboriginal cultural heritage management plans
  • Regulatory compliance, enforcement, prosecutions and defence
  • Environmental Effects Statements, Native title law, Commonwealth Environmental advice and approvals
  • Compulsory acquisition, valuation and compensation
  • Water law
  • Environmental sustainability
  • Regulation of gaming machines and licensing

Harwood Andrews' planning and environment lawyers work closely with a broad range of consultants and regularly appear on behalf of clients in planning appeals and panels considering statutory and strategic planning issues.

Planning and Environment Contacts

Greg Tobin
Principal
Harwood Andrews
03 5226 8553 |  0412 845 035
gtobin@ha.legal

John Hannagan
Senior Associate
Harwood Andrews
03 5225 5202 |  0401 021 095
jhannagan@ha.legal

Kim Piskuric
Principal
Harwood Andrews
03 9611 0133 |  0448 654 451
kpiskuric@ha.legal

 

 

HA PLANNING Headlines

Featured
John Hannagan, Daniel Fullerton
Successful prosecution of 'the Ritz' owners
John Hannagan, Daniel Fullerton

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.

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John Hannagan, Daniel Fullerton
Tessa D'Abbs
EPA Inquiry report released
Tessa D'Abbs

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.

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Tessa D'Abbs
Greg Tobin
Religious tolerance and planning decision-making: the Bendigo Mosque case comes to an end with important consequences for planning decision making
Greg Tobin

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.

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Greg Tobin
Aaron Shrimpton, Greg Tobin
Recognising objectors – early guidance on demonstrating a significant social effect
Aaron Shrimpton, Greg Tobin

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.

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Aaron Shrimpton, Greg Tobin
Greg Tobin
Can a planning authority change its mind?
Greg Tobin

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.

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Greg Tobin
Rod Payne
HARWOOD ANDREWS APPOINTED TO THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT LEGAL SERVICES PANEL
Rod Payne

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.

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Rod Payne

173 Agreements – an overview for landowners

The Planning and Environment Team draft and review Section 173 Agreements on behalf of Councils, authorities, landowners and permit holders. 

If you own land or are interested in purchasing a property which is affected by or will require you to enter into a Section 173 Agreement, the below video provides a short overview of the purpose and operation of Section 173 Agreements. 

 

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