Planning lawyers help with development applications, council appeals and environmental law.
firms
1,182
regions
16
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They advise developers, landowners and objectors on approvals, conditions and appeals, and act in environmental prosecutions and land valuation matters.
Why planning & environment matters
Planning decisions shape what can be built and where. Appeals and objections have strict timeframes.
The Australian context
Planning is controlled by state legislation and local councils, with specialist courts or tribunals such as the NSW Land and Environment Court and VCAT's planning list. Federal approval is required for matters of national environmental significance.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Hobart, TAS · Hobart & South
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(29)Google rating from 29 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hwl Ebsworth Lawyers provides legal services in Hobart, TAS. Listed practice areas include Partner & Family Visas, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Business & Commercial Law.
Partner & Family Visas+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Franchising · Property & Conveyancing · Planning & Environment · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks · Insolvency & Restructuring
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Cronulla, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(29)Google rating from 29 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Jason Francis provides legal services in Cronulla, NSW. Listed practice areas include Debt Recovery, Building & Construction and Commercial Litigation.
Debt Recovery+7 moreBuilding & Construction · Commercial Litigation · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Planning & Environment · Competition & Consumer LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Crows Nest, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(29)Google rating from 29 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Lower North Shore & Eastern Sydney Conveyancing provides conveyancing services in Crows Nest, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Commercial Property & Leasing and Planning & Environment.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Warragul, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(28)Google rating from 28 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Armour provides legal services in Warragul, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Coffs Harbour, NSW · Mid North Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(28)Google rating from 28 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bryant McKinnon Lawyers provides legal services in Coffs Harbour, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Coorparoo, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★4.1(28)Google rating from 28 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Grasso Searles Romano provides legal services in Coorparoo, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Debt Recovery · Building & Construction · Wills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment2 languages
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Booval, QLD · Ipswich
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(28)Google rating from 28 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Peter Chappel provides legal services in Booval, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Powers of Attorney & Guardianship.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Warragul, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(28)Google rating from 28 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
SJD Law - Lawyers & Conveyancing provides legal services in Warragul, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Planning & Environment.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Kingston, TAS · Hobart & South
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Advocate Lawyers Kingston provides legal services in Kingston, TAS. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Planning & Environment · Criminal Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
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Phillip, ACT · Canberra
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bedfords Legal provides legal services in Phillip, ACT. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Narrabeen, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Chedid Storey Legal provides legal services in Narrabeen, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Planning & Environment · Building & Construction · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Commercial Property & Leasing
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
JE Law Group provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ringwood, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Kenney Legal provides legal services in Ringwood, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Property & Conveyancing · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Elder Law & Aged Care · Business & Commercial Law
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Shellharbour, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mostyn Legal provides legal services in Shellharbour, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+4 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Planning & Environment · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.1(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Norman Waterhouse Lawyers provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Debt Recovery and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreDebt Recovery · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · De Facto Relationships · Planning & Environment · Defamation · International Family Law & Hague Abduction
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Caloundra, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Sargent Law provides legal services in Caloundra, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Maroochydore, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Thompson McNichol Lawyers provides legal services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bundaberg Central, QLD · Wide Bay-Burnett
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(26)Google rating from 26 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ballantine Law provides legal services in Bundaberg Central, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Planning & Environment and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Norwest, NSW · Hills District
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(26)Google rating from 26 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bluebells Lawyers provides legal services in Norwest, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Singleton, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(26)Google rating from 26 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
CDG Law provides legal services in Singleton, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Employment Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Traffic Offences
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Toowoomba City, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(26)Google rating from 26 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Keogh & Co Lawyers provides legal services in Toowoomba City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Partner & Family Visas · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Commercial Property & Leasing · Planning & Environment
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Kadina, SA · Eyre, Yorke & Mid North
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(26)Google rating from 26 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mildwaters Byrth Lawyers & Conveyancers provides legal services in Kadina, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Agribusiness & Rural Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+4 moreAgribusiness & Rural Law · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Family Law
Understand the next step
A practical guide to planning & environment
What to discuss at the first meeting
Provide the property address, proposed use and any council or agency decision. Planning advice should identify the actual application, approval or enforcement issue rather than assume all land can be used the same way.
Ask about applicable objection or review dates before relying on informal discussions.
How the engagement may progress
01
Provide the address, parties and current contract or notice. Explain whether anything has been signed and identify every agreed date.
02
Ask which terms, searches and ownership questions will be reviewed. Explain finance, proposed use and any linked transaction.
03
Agree who communicates with agents, lenders and the other side. Confirm how documents are approved and what happens if the matter is delayed or disputed.
Fees and the scope of work
Separate legal fees from searches, registration, taxes and third-party expenses. Complex ownership, negotiations or a dispute may fall outside an advertised conveyancing price.
Ask for a written scope identifying the work you are authorising, the person responsible and when costs will be reviewed. If you only want advice on one step, say so before the firm begins wider work.
Dates to raise at first contact
Seek review before signing where possible. Ask about the actual dates in your documents; cooling-off and completion arrangements differ across states and transactions.
Questions to ask a planning & environment adviser
What decision or approval is being assessed?
Is a planner or other expert also needed?
What is included and what counts as extra work?
Have you handled this kind of transaction or dispute?
What must be decided before signing or the next scheduled date?
Directory guidance updated 19 September 2026. General information to help you prepare for a conversation with a professional; not advice about your individual matter. Check current requirements with the relevant authority.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Can I appeal a council refusal?
Usually, yes, to the state planning court or tribunal, within strict time limits.
Lawyer or conveyancer?
For a straightforward residential purchase or sale, a licensed conveyancer is usually enough. Use a solicitor if the property is unusual, the contract has non-standard terms, or there is a dispute or estate involved.
When should I get the contract checked?
Before you sign or bid at auction. Once contracts are exchanged or you've bought at auction, your ability to withdraw is limited.
