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Property, Planning & Development

We understand the business objectives of our clients and work with them to achieve those objectives. We provide commercial advice based on our specialist knowledge of the property industry.

Property, Planning & Development

Unlike other firms, our Property, Planning & Development Group did not evolve as an add-on to other practice areas. Instead, it is one of our core practice groups. Our commercial savvy means we ‘see the deal’. We can pick the issues in the context of our client’s objectives to know when, and how best to compromise and make the right call.

Expertise

Our expertise includes:

  • ownership and development structuring and finance
  • due diligence and acquisition
  • development and construction including sustainability
  • major projects and infrastructure
  • planning and environment issues, bio-diversity
  • land titling, subdivision and governance
  • leasing, liquor licensing, asset and building management
  • off-the-plan sales and development leasing
  • compulsory acquisition
  • retirement living
  • agribusiness and rural industries including water law
  • we have a thorough understanding of direct and indirect taxation issues and other government regulatory requirements relating to the acquisition, development and ownership of property.

Experience

We act for developers and landowners, acquiring authorities, superannuation funds, managed investment schemes, listed and unlisted corporations, banks and non-bank financiers, government departments and statutory authorities and local and overseas investors.

Recent Posts

10 September 2025 - Knowledge

M&A Review: Market insights & outlook for 2026

#Mergers and Acquisitions, #Corporate & Commercial Law, #Digital Economy, #Property, Planning & Development, #Renewable Energy, #Superannuation, Funds Management & Financial Services, #Taxation

Our annual M&A Review looks at key trends, challenges and opportunities shaping Australia’s dealmaking landscape over the next 12 months and how businesses can prepare for the year ahead.

09 September 2025 - Knowledge

Residential Focus: More development projects given the green flag to proceed

#Property, Planning & Development

On recommendations from the Housing Delivery Authority, the NSW Government has recently declared 28 new projects as state significant developments, providing alternative approval pathway to developers that bypasses local council Development Control Plans.

19 August 2025 - Knowledge

Amendments to Victorian planning schemes streamline single dwelling and small second dwelling applications

#Property, Planning & Development

From 8 September, Amendment VC282 adds a new clause 54 to all Victorian Planning Schemes, allowing single and second dwellings on small lots to bypass further assessments if the application is ‘deemed to comply’ with the relevant ResCode standards.

13 August 2025 - Knowledge

CCTV and surveillance technologies in retail: How to balance retailers’ interests with customer privacy

#Data & Privacy, #Property, Planning & Development

We explore how retail landlords and centre managers can balance the use of surveillance technology to protect visitors while respecting individual privacy rights and remaining complaint with evolving privacy laws.

08 August 2025 - Knowledge

Residential Focus: HBCF eligibility decisions – too challenging to challenge?

#Property, Planning & Development

In what seems to be the first decision of its kind, the Supreme Court has, in Introbuild Constructions Pty Ltd v Insurance and Care NSW [2025] NSWSC 773, rejected a builder’s judicial review challenge to a Home Building Compensation Fund (HBCF) eligibility decision.

30 July 2025 - Knowledge

Queensland’s Property Law Act: New seller disclosure requirements from 1 August 2025

#Property, Planning & Development, #Construction, Infrastructure & Projects

Queensland’s property laws are about to change. Here’s what sellers and buyers need to know about the new disclosure statement and prescribed certificate requirements.

09 July 2025 - Knowledge

Changes to the infrastructure provisions in the Planning Act 2016 effective from 30 June 2025

#Property, Planning & Development

We provide a short summary of the three key changes to some of the infrastructure provisions in the Planning Act 2016, brought about by the commencement of Chapter 4C of the Planning (Social Impact and Community Benefit) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025 on 30 June 2025.

02 July 2025 - Knowledge

Is your business ready for Australia’s new AML/CTF regime?

#White Collar Crime & Regulatory Investigations, #Property, Planning & Development, #Superannuation, Funds Management & Financial Services

From 1 July 2026, accountants, real estate agents, legal professionals and organisations providing ‘designated services’ will need to comply with new anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) laws.

02 July 2025 - Knowledge

From sales to surveillance: New AML/CTF laws target real estate sector

#Property, Planning & Development, #White Collar Crime & Regulatory Investigations

Real estate agents and property developers face a 2026 compliance deadline under the new Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act. We set out what the sector needs to know and how to prepare.

29 June 2025 - Knowledge

Residential Focus: Fast tracking housing supply – deferring compliance

#Property, Planning & Development

On 12 June 2025, adopting recommendations from the Housing Delivery Authority, the NSW Government declared 20 new projects as state significant developments.

18 May 2025 - Knowledge

Straying from the plan: Lessons from Lendlease vs Mount Gilead

#Property, Planning & Development

Lendlease vs Mount Gilead serves as an important reminder that parties must strictly adhere to the method of exercising an option, or face losing the right to exercise their option altogether.

15 May 2025 - Knowledge

Residential Focus: Building reform agenda timeline

#Property, Planning & Development

The newly appointed Building Commissioner has indicated that the building legislation reform bills are back on the agenda, with a view to their introduction to NSW Parliament later this year.