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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

18 September 2024 - Knowledge

Residential Focus: In from the cold – the draft building reforms resurface

#Property, Planning & Development

Following on from initial consultation in 2022, draft building reforms have resurfaced, encouraging local governments and industry groups to have their say by 18 October 2024.

17 September 2024 - Knowledge

Who is liable for stormwater assets in Victoria?

#Property, Planning & Development

Following growing concerns on the state of stormwater drains in Victoria, we discuss who holds the legal responsibility for managing these infrastructures – local councils or the owners.

11 September 2024 - Knowledge

From ‘The Castle’ to court: A reminder on protected tenancies

#Property, Planning & Development

A recent case involving a tenant protected under the Landlord and Tenant (Amendment) Act 1948 serves as a reminder for developers to take precautions before purchasing land.

05 September 2024 - Knowledge

Residential Focus: Engineered stone ban update – attention turning to crystalline silica substances

#Property, Planning & Development

Following the stricter regulations for work done on substances composed of more than one per cent crystalline silica, we discuss the precautions businesses must be aware of to remain lawful.

21 August 2024 - Knowledge

Residential Focus: Mandatory HBA compliance for SOP Act claims – reforms progress

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

Recently passed, the Better Regulation Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous) Bill 2024 amends the SOP Act to restrict the right to make a progress claim where the works under the construction contract are carried out by unlicensed contractors.

07 August 2024 - Knowledge

Residential Focus: Building up NSW – low and mid-rise reforms

#Property, Planning & Development

In a bid to combat the state’s long-standing housing crisis, the NSW Government has introduced reforms to increase permissibility of housing types on low-rise residential land.

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.