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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
  • 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, 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

22 March 2023 - Knowledge

Reduced fee on selling gaming machine authorities in Queensland – trial ends 30 June

#Property, Planning & Development, #Government

The Queensland Government is wrapping up its one-year trial on reduced fee for gaming machine authority sales on 30 June 2023. What can hoteliers expect next?

09 March 2023 - Knowledge

Residential Focus

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

In a recent decision on the statutory duty established by the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020, the Court has found that the proportionate liability provisions of the Civil Liability Act 2002 do apply to claims for breach of the statutory duty.

08 March 2023 - Knowledge

Housing Australia Future Fund legislation – is it a game-changer for the housing crisis?

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

The federal government’s proposed legislation for a $10 billion investment fund to build new social and affordable housing has been passed by the lower house. Will this solve Australia’s ongoing housing crisis?

22 February 2023 - Knowledge

Residential Focus

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

The NSW Court of Appeal has confirmed that the statutory duty of care under section 37 of the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 (NSW) applies to all buildings as defined in the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW), and not just to class 2 buildings and residential building work.

14 February 2023 - Knowledge

Are private parking fines lawful?

#Property, Planning & Development

Under Australian law, landlords and private parking operators cannot issue fines for illegal parking on their premises, but can establish a claim under a contract or through court action for trespass.

14 December 2022 - Knowledge

Residential Focus

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

In this edition, we provide the next instalment of our digest of recent cases on the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020, legislation which has significantly impacted day-to-day practice in the NSW construction industry for class 2 buildings.

14 December 2022 - Knowledge

Ecologically sustainable development requires consulting traditional landowners

#Property, Planning & Development, #Native Title & Indigenous Cultural Heritage

The Federal Court, at first instance and on appeal, has overturned an offshore drilling plan because the proponent did not properly consult traditional landowners.

30 November 2022 - Knowledge

Residential Focus

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

In its continued efforts to overhaul the behavioural norms of the NSW building industry, the NSW Government has introduced a series of amendments designed to improve transparency and confidence in the industry.

30 November 2022 - Knowledge

NDIS and town planning – important changes to Victorian planning schemes

#Property, Planning & Development

We outline recent amendments to the Community Care Accommodation provisions in Victorian planning schemes, which have important implications for specialist disability accommodation providers.

22 November 2022 - Knowledge

Victorian Election: Reviving the State Electricity Commission

#Property, Planning & Development

Reviving a State government owned energy company represents a significant shift in energy policy in Victoria with broad impacts for decarbonisation and power bills.

22 November 2022 - Knowledge

Importance of intention to be bound on execution of Heads of Agreement

#Property, Planning & Development

A recent Queensland Supreme Court decision in Sentinel Property Group Pty Ltd v ABH Hotel Pty Ltd [2022] QSC 165, highlights the importance of ensuring parties to a transaction understand whether they intend to be immediately bound on execution of a heads of agreement and whether they are, or not.

15 November 2022 - Knowledge

Proposal of statutory seller disclosure scheme in Queensland

#Property, Planning & Development

A draft of the proposed Property Law Bill 2022 is suggesting residential property sellers will have to supply particular information to a proposed buyer at the time of providing a Contract of Sale. If passed, these changes will fundamentally change the sale process in Queensland.