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
Erina, NSW · Central Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mothers in Law Lawyers provides legal services in Erina, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreWills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Debt Recovery · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Point Cook, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Open Book Lawyers provides legal services in Point Cook, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Planning & Environment.
Wills & Estates+6 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Family Law · Divorce & Separation · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bowral, NSW · Southern Highlands & Tablelands
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Signature Law provides legal services in Bowral, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Contract Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Contract Law · Wills & Estates · Employment Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Planning & Environment
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Devonport Cbd, TAS · North West & West Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Temple-Smith Partners provides legal services in Devonport Cbd, TAS. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Maitland, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
The Family Law Co. provides legal services in Maitland, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Planning & Environment and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Drouin, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(4)Google rating from 4 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Wakefield Lawyers provides legal services in Drouin, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Criminal Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Domestic Violence & AVOs
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Woollahra, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Back Schwartz Vaughan Lawyers provides legal services in Woollahra, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Liquor Licensing & Gaming.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Warragul, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
bdlegal provides legal services in Warragul, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Brown & Associates Commercial Lawyers provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Commercial Property & Leasing and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Goulburn, NSW · Southern Highlands & Tablelands
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Dougall John R provides legal services in Goulburn, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Business & Commercial Law+5 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Administrative & Government Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Main Beach, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Eden Lawyers provides legal services in Main Beach, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Planning & Environment.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Norwest, NSW · Hills District
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
JV Legal provides legal services in Norwest, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Wills & Estates+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Property & Conveyancing · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law · Commercial Property & Leasing · Strata & Body Corporate2 languages
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mackay, QLD · Mackay & Whitsundays
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Kelly Conveyancing provides legal services in Mackay, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Planning & Environment and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 morePlanning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Commercial Property & Leasing · Building & Construction · Commercial Litigation · General Practice (regional generalist)
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Broome, WA · Pilbara & Kimberley
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Kimberley & Pilbara Lawyers provides legal services in Broome, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Personal Injury · Planning & Environment · Divorce & Separation · Probate & Estate Administration
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Gawler South, SA · Barossa & Adelaide Hills
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Kin Lawyers Pty Ltd provides legal services in Gawler South, SA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Family Law+3 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Albany, WA · Great Southern
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Narpyn Law & Conveyancing provides legal services in Albany, WA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Probate & Estate Administration · Building & Construction
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Phillip, ACT · Canberra
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
National Business Lawyers provides legal services in Phillip, ACT. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Notary Public & JP Services.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
North Sydney, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Riley Legal provides legal services in North Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Planning & Environment.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Gunnedah, NSW · New England & North West
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Rural Law with Peter Long provides legal services in Gunnedah, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Byron Bay, NSW · Northern Rivers
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
S+P Lawyers provides legal services in Byron Bay, NSW. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Partner & Family Visas.
Immigration & Visas+8 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Partner & Family Visas · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal · Planning & Environment · Bail Applications · Building & Construction · General Practice (regional generalist)
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Alexandra, VIC · Hume & North East
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Williams Hunt provides legal services in Alexandra, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Buying or Selling a Business · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Planning & Environment
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Busselton, WA · South West
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
AMS & Co Legal provides legal services in Busselton, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+6 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship
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.
