To avoid unnecessary expense and delays, rely on our thorough understanding of planning and development issues in a country having one of the most complex planning regimes spanning all levels of government.

Following our practical and commercial advice, clients have overcome the red tape and received the green light on developments in some of the toughest scenarios.

From securing high-density developments such as retirement villages, childcare centers, mixed-use developments and shopping centers in residential zones, to securing the building of port infrastructure for mineral export, we have steered them through a course often navigated by our property team.

Long-standing clients include well-known developers, landowners, property investors, hoteliers and consultants and our track record has been so impressive that their opponents regularly engage us on unrelated matters.

Benefit from a team experienced in:

• Defending controversial developments in high-density residential areas
• Representing operators of licensed premises, and their industry association, in planning reforms
• Speaking out on the impact of certain zoning and planning laws on economic development, urban design, and strategic planning
• Disputing exorbitant land valuations and land tax bills
• Representing developers and landowners in contaminated land disputes
• Advising on the planning and regulatory areas of environment law

With capital city population growth, planning and zoning laws are constantly evolving and our team keeps you informed of this evolution through their involvement with the Environment and Planning Law Association, Urban Taskforce, Urban Development Institute of Australia and the Planning Institute of Australia.

Ensure your development runs to plan through leveraging the experience of our property team.

Insights

Hair and beauty - a "creative" exception to the commercial premises prohibition

February 28, 2025

Australia: If commercial premises are prohibited in a zone, a use for “creative purposes” may be otherwise permissible. We explore the Court’s reasoning in Solid Gold Custodians Pty Ltd ATF SGH Property Trust v Inner West Council [2024] NSWLEC 1835 (Solid Gold) which examined whether a hair and beauty salon was permitted within an industrial zone.

More housing near town centres and transport hubs: What does Stage 2 of the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy mean for you?

February 24, 2025 (Updated March 5, 2025)

Australia: Housing supply is a key concern of the NSW Government. To increase supply and housing options, the Government has announced Stage 2 of the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy (Policy).

Tips for writing expert reports for court proceedings

January 31, 2025

Australia: Who writes your expert report? The Land and Environment Court of NSW’s new generative AI practice note and the decision in Wenkart v Blacktown City Council [2024] NSWLEC 117 makes plain that clear authorship of expert reports unaided by AI is crucial to the admissibility of expert reports.

View all insights for Development Zoning and Planning in Australia

News and Events

Recent Press Releases

Dentons welcomes new Planning and Environment Partner to its Brisbane office

October 9, 2023

Dentons continues to deliver on its Growth strategy with the addition of Planning and Environment Partner, Mitchell Osborne, to its Brisbane office.