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
Cronulla, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(5)Google rating from 5 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Haydon Law Group provides legal services in Cronulla, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
East Toowoomba, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(5)Google rating from 5 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Jensen & Co provides legal services in East Toowoomba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Building & Construction.
Business & Commercial Law+5 moreWills & Estates · Building & Construction · Planning & Environment · Partner & Family Visas · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mount Gambier, SA · Limestone Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(5)Google rating from 5 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Kidman Law Co provides legal services in Mount Gambier, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts and Planning & Environment.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Emerald, VIC · Hume & North East
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(5)Google rating from 5 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
KLR Legal Services Pty Ltd provides legal services in Emerald, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Notary Public & JP Services.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Notary Public & JP Services · Family Law · Employment Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ellenbrook, WA · Perth North
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(5)Google rating from 5 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Lynn & Brown Lawyers provides legal services in Ellenbrook, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Campbellfield, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(5)Google rating from 5 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Nevaeh Lawyers provides legal services in Campbellfield, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+7 moreFamily Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Binding Financial Agreements · Divorce & Separation · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Terrigal, NSW · Central Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(5)Google rating from 5 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
P.J. Donnellan & Co provides legal services in Terrigal, NSW. Listed practice areas include Planning & Environment, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Scone, NSW · New England & North West
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(5)Google rating from 5 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Scone Legal provides legal services in Scone, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Partner & Family Visas.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Partner & Family Visas · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Planning & Environment · Insolvency & Restructuring · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Fraud & White Collar Crime
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Albany, WA · Great Southern
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(5)Google rating from 5 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Springdale Legal provides legal services in Albany, WA. Listed practice areas include Powers of Attorney & Guardianship, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Norwood, SA · Adelaide Metro
★★★★★★★★★★3.6(5)Google rating from 5 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
St Ives Law provides legal services in Norwood, SA. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Business & Commercial Law+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Building & Construction
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Belgrave, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★3.8(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Armstrong Ross provides legal services in Belgrave, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Criminal Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Colac, VIC · Western District & Wimmera
★★★★★★★★★★3.3(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Arundell Murray & Ryan provides legal services in Colac, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Planning & Environment.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreWills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Probate & Estate Administration · Criminal Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Coolangatta, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Attwood Marshall Lawyers provides legal services in Coolangatta, QLD. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Planning & Environment · Family Law · Employment Law · Elder Law & Aged Care
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Kingscliff, NSW · Northern Rivers
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Attwood Marshall Lawyers provides legal services in Kingscliff, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Planning & Environment · Family Law · Employment Law · Elder Law & Aged Care
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Cairns City, QLD · Cairns & Far North
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cairns Wills & Estates Lawyers provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Wills & Estates+5 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Partner & Family Visas · Contested Wills & Family ProvisionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Albany, WA · Great Southern
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Graphite Legal provides legal services in Albany, WA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Planning & Environment and Business & Commercial Law.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Chatswood, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Insight Lawyers (김형길 변호사) provides legal services in Chatswood, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Family Law and Immigration & Visas.
Business & Commercial Law+5 moreFamily Law · Immigration & Visas · Property & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Noosa Heads, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Jodie Bruce Law provides legal services in Noosa Heads, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mogo, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★3.5(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Kennedy & Cooke Lawyers, Narooma provides legal services in Mogo, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Probate & Estate Administration · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Moruya, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
McMahon Vincent Lawyers provides legal services in Moruya, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ashfield, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Monardo Legal provides legal services in Ashfield, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Planning & Environment and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+5 morePlanning & Environment · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates
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.
