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
Jannali, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Harriss Jones Lawyers provides legal services in Jannali, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Surrogacy & Adoption · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Family Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sutherland, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Legal Aid NSW provides legal services in Sutherland, NSW. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Partner & Family Visas.
Immigration & Visas+7 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Partner & Family Visas · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal · Planning & Environment · Bail Applications · Building & Construction
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Torquay, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Roy Morris & Co PTY LTD provides legal services in Torquay, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Gawler South, SA · Barossa & Adelaide Hills
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Scammell & Co. Lawyers provides legal services in Gawler South, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Personal Injury and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Wills & Estates+7 morePersonal Injury · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Notary Public & JP Services · Planning & Environment · Family Law · Criminal LawNo win, no fee
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Armidale, NSW · New England & North West
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Watson McNamara & Watt provides legal services in Armidale, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Probate & Estate Administration · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wangaratta, VIC · Hume & North East
★★★★★★★★★★4.1(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Webb Legal provides legal services in Wangaratta, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Geebung, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Donovan Legal provides legal services in Geebung, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Evolution Legal provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Probate & Estate Administration · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Forefront IT Executive Consulting provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Planning & Environment and Partner & Family Visas.
Business & Commercial Law+3 morePlanning & Environment · Partner & Family Visas · Health & Medical Practitioner Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Toronto, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Halyburton Legal provides legal services in Toronto, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Wills & Estates+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · General Practice (regional generalist)
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Rosebud, VIC · Mornington Peninsula
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hosking Lawyers provides legal services in Rosebud, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+6 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Murray Bridge, SA · Riverland & Murraylands
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Joseph Ramsay Sanders Lawyers provides legal services in Murray Bridge, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Traffic Offences and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+7 moreTraffic Offences · Probate & Estate Administration · Criminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Planning & Environment · Family Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Kingaroy, QLD · Wide Bay-Burnett
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
KF Solicitors provides legal services in Kingaroy, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Personal Injury.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Personal Injury · Planning & Environment · Wills & Estates · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Kingaroy, QLD · Wide Bay-Burnett
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
KF Solicitors provides legal services in Kingaroy, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Personal Injury.
Property & Conveyancing+3 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Personal Injury · Planning & Environment
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Caboolture, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Michael Mason Lawyer provides legal services in Caboolture, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Criminal Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Criminal Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law · Notary Public & JP Services · Probate & Estate Administration
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Norwest, NSW · Hills District
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(13)Google rating from 13 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Delfino & Delfino Solicitors provides legal services in Norwest, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Planning & Environment.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreWills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Family Law · Personal Injury · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mudgee, NSW · Central West & Orana
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(13)Google rating from 13 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Emily Peoples, Solicitor provides legal services in Mudgee, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Erina, NSW · Central Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(13)Google rating from 13 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Felicio Law Firm provides legal services in Erina, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Debt Recovery and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreDebt Recovery · Property & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Criminal 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.
