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
Burwood East, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Bevz Lawyers provides legal services in Burwood East, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Castle Hill, NSW · Hills District
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
BLUECREST LEGAL PTY LTD provides legal services in Castle Hill, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Planning & Environment.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mackay, QLD · Mackay & Whitsundays
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Central Queensland Conveyancing Centre provides conveyancing services in Mackay, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Criminal Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Criminal Law · Building & Construction · Planning & Environment · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Debt RecoveryFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Forest Hill, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Comset Legal provides legal services in Forest Hill, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Planning & Environment.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Townsville City, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Conrad Law provides legal services in Townsville City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Agribusiness & Rural Law.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Agribusiness & Rural Law · Property & Conveyancing · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks · Planning & Environment · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Elder Law & Aged Care
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Cairns City, QLD · Cairns & Far North
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Farrellys provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Commercial Property & Leasing · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Immigration & Visas · Building & Construction
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mandurah, WA · Perth South
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Greenstone Legal Albany provides legal services in Mandurah, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts and Planning & Environment.
Wills & Estates+7 moreEstate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Family Law · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Not-for-Profit & Charity Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Joondalup, WA · Perth North
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Gregson & Associates provides legal services in Joondalup, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Elder Law & Aged Care · Business & Commercial Law · General Practice (regional generalist)
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mount Gambier, SA · Limestone Coast
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Hancock Family Law provides legal services in Mount Gambier, SA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Child Protection & Care Matters.
Family Law+4 moreCriminal Law · Child Protection & Care Matters · Planning & Environment · Wills & Estates
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mandurah, WA · Perth South
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
LLB Legal provides legal services in Mandurah, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Darwin Cbd, NT · Darwin & Palmerston
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Maher Paul Solicitors provides legal services in Darwin Cbd, NT. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Planning & Environment.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Planning & Environment · Coronial Inquests · Wills & Estates · Skilled & Business Visas · Professional Negligence · Estate Planning & Testamentary TrustsFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sutherland, NSW · Southern Sydney
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
McKillop Legal provides legal services in Sutherland, NSW. Listed practice areas include Probate & Estate Administration, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Caloundra, QLD · Sunshine Coast
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Michael Mason Lawyer provides legal services in Caloundra, 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
Tinana, QLD · Wide Bay-Burnett
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
MRH Lawyers provides legal services in Tinana, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Nimbin, NSW · Northern Rivers
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Nimbin Law Solicitors & Conveyancers provides legal services in Nimbin, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Powers of Attorney & Guardianship.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Corporate Law & M&A
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Pinnacle Conveyancing Pty Ltd provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Planning & Environment and Notary Public & JP Services.
Business & Commercial Law+2 morePlanning & Environment · Notary Public & JP Services
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wagga Wagga, NSW · Riverina & Murray
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Regional Business Lawyers provides legal services in Wagga Wagga, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Business & Commercial Law+5 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Agribusiness & Rural Law · Planning & Environment · Notary Public & JP Services
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Altona, VIC · Western Melbourne
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Sargeants Geelong Conveyancing provides conveyancing services in Altona, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing and Planning & Environment.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Strathfield, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Shanahans Butlers Solicitors provides legal services in Strathfield, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Planning & Environment.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Joondalup, WA · Perth North
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
The Bitcoin Lawyers provides legal services in Joondalup, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Devonport, TAS · North West & West Coast
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
The Public Trustee provides legal services in Devonport, TAS. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Powers of Attorney & Guardianship.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sutherland, NSW · Southern Sydney
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
The Quinn Group Accountants & Lawyers provides legal services in Sutherland, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Planning & Environment and Tax Law.
Business & Commercial Law+2 morePlanning & Environment · Tax Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bendigo, VIC · Bendigo & Loddon
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Victorian Land Transfers (Bendigo & Castlemaine) provides legal services in Bendigo, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
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.
