Planning lawyers help with development applications, council appeals and environmental law.
firms
1,182
regions
16
AI-generated editorial image
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
Ipswich, QLD · Ipswich
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Abledale Law provides legal services in Ipswich, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Partner & Family Visas and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+7 morePartner & Family Visas · Property & Conveyancing · Planning & Environment · Drink & Drug Driving · Building & Construction · Agribusiness & Rural Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Fortitude Valley, QLD · Brisbane CBD
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Adams & Ross Lawyers & Business Advisers provides legal services in Fortitude Valley, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Powers of Attorney & Guardianship.
Business & Commercial Law+4 moreWills & Estates · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & EnvironmentFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Penrith, NSW · Western Sydney
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Amanda Little & Associates provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Criminal Law · Divorce & Separation · Probate & Estate AdministrationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
South Hurstville, NSW · Southern Sydney
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
AR&A Lawyers provides legal services in South Hurstville, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Immigration & Visas · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Corporate Law & M&A · Registered Migration Agent (non-lawyer)Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Attwood Marshall Lawyers provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Employment Law · DefamationNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bondi Junction, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Bob Zelden Solicitors provides legal services in Bondi Junction, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Defamation and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreDefamation · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Criminal Law · Personal Injury · Planning & Environment
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Forest Glen, QLD · Sunshine Coast
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Bush to Beach Legal provides legal services in Forest Glen, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Planning & Environment.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Glen Waverley, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Caray Law provides legal services in Glen Waverley, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Robina, QLD · Gold Coast
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Coastal Law Group provides legal services in Robina, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Planning & Environment.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Commercial Property & Leasing · Business & Commercial Law · Retirement Villages & Aged Care Contracts
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Townsville City, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Connolly Suthers Lawyers Townsville provides legal services in Townsville City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Commercial Property & Leasing.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Commercial Property & Leasing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Planning & Environment · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Wills & Estates · Family LawNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Gympie, QLD · Sunshine Coast
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Countryside Legal Services provides legal services in Gympie, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Planning & Environment and Wills & Estates.
Family Law+7 morePlanning & Environment · Wills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · NDIS & Disability Law · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Human Rights & Discrimination
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Salisbury, SA · Adelaide Metro
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
DH Legal Migration and Conveyancing Pty Ltd provides legal services in Salisbury, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bakery Hill, VIC · Ballarat & Central Highlands
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Jenny Morrow Legal provides legal services in Bakery Hill, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Planning & Environment and Powers of Attorney & Guardianship.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Nowra, NSW · South Coast
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Lambert Legal provides legal services in Nowra, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Property & Conveyancing and Assault & Violent Offences.
Criminal Law+4 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Assault & Violent Offences · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Planning & Environment
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Nyngan, NSW · Central West & Orana
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Lovett and Green provides legal services in Nyngan, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Warren, NSW · Central West & Orana
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Lovett and Green provides legal services in Warren, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Queanbeyan, NSW · Southern Highlands & Tablelands
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Marjason & Marjason Solicitors provides legal services in Queanbeyan, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Criminal Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Criminal Law · Insolvency & Restructuring · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Commercial Property & Leasing · Planning & EnvironmentNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Noosa Heads, QLD · Sunshine Coast
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Pathway Legal provides legal services in Noosa Heads, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Administrative & Government Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Coffs Harbour, NSW · Mid North Coast
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
PBL Law Group provides legal services in Coffs Harbour, NSW. Listed practice areas include Strata & Body Corporate, Planning & Environment and Wills & Estates.
Strata & Body Corporate+7 morePlanning & Environment · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Building & Construction · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Probate & Estate Administration · Property & Conveyancing
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Ryan Commercial Lawyers provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Planning & Environment.
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.
