HopgoodGanim's leading Planning and Development team understands the intricate web of planning laws encompassing all levels of regulation, from Commonwealth to local government. That detailed knowledge allows our specialist lawyers to focus on the issues of direct concern to our clients and to deliver the best outcome for any planning or development issue.
Our Planning and Development practice offers a complete front to back end service, incorporating all stages of the development process from initial project advisory and strategic project development through to dispute resolution and litigation.
Advisory Work
We advise clients on all of the planning issues associated with development projects. We advise clients at the early stage of projects as to the appropriateness of a site, taking into consideration their unique requirements. We also advise clients at the development application stage to ensure that their applications are well structured to provide the best prospects of success.
Dispute Resolution
When representing our clients in planning disputes, our aim is to always achieve the most desirable outcome for our client. Litigation, and ultimately a hearing, is not always the most desirable path to follow. In conducting proceedings we will always be looking for solutions, which may include negotiation or mediation, to resolve the dispute and achieve the client's objectives. Our goal is to ensure that our clients have the best prospects of success in their development projects.
Areas of Expertise
- Town planning law and development approval processes, including litigation for stakeholders
- Advising on ESD and climate change, regional planning and master planning
- Due diligence investigations on large property transactions and public floats
- Land valuation and the compulsory acquisition of land
- Environmental approvals, compliance and enforcement issues
- Built heritage and indigenous cultural heritage advice
- Advice on vegetation, koala management, coastal protection and other environmental matters
