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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

24 July 2024 - Knowledge

Residential Focus: NSW Government to crack down on strata managers

#Property, Planning & Development

In a bid to improve public confidence around apartment living, the NSW Government is looking to introduce new laws to impose greater disclosure obligations in the strata management industry.  

11 July 2024 - Knowledge

Residential Focus: Recent and proposed changes to NSW building legislation

#Property, Planning & Development

In this edition we review some new and proposed changes to building legislation in NSW, including the Building, Development and Strata Legislation Amendment Regulation 2024 which was passed last month.

26 June 2024 - Knowledge

Building bond increase delayed until 2 November 2024

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

The recently passed Building, Development and Strata Legislation Amendment Regulation 2024 will postpone the planned building bond increase, originally set to commence in July, by four months.

25 June 2024 - Knowledge

Residential Focus: Director and supervisor liability – more than just an empty threat

#Property, Planning & Development

A recent court decision considers the appropriate measure of damages in a claim for defects where the primary defect had no associated damage.

19 June 2024 - Knowledge

NSW State Budget revised: Foreign investors beware

#Property, Planning & Development

The NSW State Budget announced on 18 June will revise several pieces of legislation regulating land tax and purchaser duties. We look at how these changes directly impact foreign buyers and investors.

18 June 2024 - Knowledge

Addressing rental affordability: Proposed tax concessions for build-to-rent projects

#Property, Planning & Development, #Taxation

New build-to-rent tax concessions have been introduced into Parliament through draft legislation that will lower the managed investment trust withholding tax rate and increase capital works deductions for eligible developments.

12 June 2024 - Knowledge

Residential Focus: Beware the paper breach

#Property, Planning & Development

A recent court decision considers the appropriate measure of damages in a claim for defects where the primary defect had no associated damage.

11 June 2024 - Knowledge

Collective sales in strata schemes: Are they effective?

#Property, Planning & Development

We analyse the current legislative framework and cases concerning collective sales in strata schemes and discuss some of the challenges that prompt the need for reforms.

29 May 2024 - Knowledge

Residential Focus: RAB Act and DBP Act – under review

#Property, Planning & Development

The Residential Apartment Buildings (RAB) and the Design and Building Practitioners (DBP) legislation are two key components in reforming the building industry in NSW. Both are now subject to review by the Public Accountability Committee to clarify its obligations and powers.

15 May 2024 - Knowledge

Residential Focus: Changing of the guard – NSW Building Commissioner

#Property, Planning & Development

The NSW Building Commissioner has announced he will not extend his appointment when his term expires in August this year. Although a replacement is yet to be disclosed, builders and developers should not rest easy.

01 May 2024 - Knowledge

Residential Focus: Track record of insolvency – implications for licensing

#Property, Planning & Development

A recent Tribunal decision affirming a licensing decision under the Home Building Act 1989 highlights the scrutiny applied to individuals' financial management of companies, particularly when they have a record of association with Chapter 5 bodies corporate.

24 April 2024 - Knowledge

NSW Government Bulletin: Climate risks in government property transactions

#Government, #Property, Planning & Development, #Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)

Climate-related risks affect almost every stakeholder in a property transaction. We look at two types of risks associated with purchasing and developing land during a climate crisis and how government lawyers can mitigate these risks.