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
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(135)Google rating from 135 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Carroll & O'Dea provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Unfair Dismissal.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Unfair Dismissal · Professional Negligence · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Employment Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Dingley Village, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(133)Google rating from 133 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Littlejohn Legal provides legal services in Dingley Village, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wagga Wagga, NSW · Riverina & Murray
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(129)Google rating from 129 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Bower Wood Lawyers provides legal services in Wagga Wagga, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Norwest, NSW · Hills District
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(126)Google rating from 126 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Greenleaf Legal provides legal services in Norwest, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+6 moreWills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Chatswood, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(124)Google rating from 124 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Hillman & Associates Lawyers and Migration Agents / English and French provides legal services in Chatswood, NSW. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(123)Google rating from 123 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
New South Lawyers provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Building & Construction · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Commercial Property & Leasing · Tax Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Woolloongabba, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(122)Google rating from 122 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Cozee Law provides legal services in Woolloongabba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Planning & Environment.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Moonee Ponds, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(122)Google rating from 122 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
MNG Lawyers provides legal services in Moonee Ponds, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Criminal Law.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Joondalup, WA · Perth North
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(121)Google rating from 121 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Furstenberg Solicitors & Notaries provides legal services in Joondalup, WA. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Coolangatta, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(120)Google rating from 120 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Attwood Marshall Lawyers provides legal services in Coolangatta, 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 fee
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Reservoir, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(119)Google rating from 119 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Natoli Howell provides conveyancing services in Reservoir, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Planning & Environment · Administrative & Government Law · Commercial Property & Leasing · Business & Commercial Law
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Darwin City, NT · Darwin & Palmerston
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(118)Google rating from 118 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Bryson Kelly Legal provides legal services in Darwin City, NT. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Point Cook, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(116)Google rating from 116 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Campus Lawyers & Associates provides legal services in Point Cook, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Commercial Property & Leasing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
West Moonah, TAS · Hobart & South
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(115)Google rating from 115 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Buttar Immigration Consultants Pty Ltd provides legal services in West Moonah, TAS. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Registered Migration Agent (non-lawyer) and Skilled & Business Visas.
Immigration & Visas+7 moreRegistered Migration Agent (non-lawyer) · Skilled & Business Visas · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law · Citizenship · Partner & Family Visas · Domestic Violence & AVOs
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Bundall, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(114)Google rating from 114 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Pharmacis Canning Lawyers provides legal services in Bundall, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Assault & Violent Offences · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Perth, WA · Perth CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(113)Google rating from 113 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Johnstone Crouse Lawyers provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Family Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Springwood, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(113)Google rating from 113 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
McLaughlin & Associates Lawyers provides legal services in Springwood, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(113)Google rating from 113 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Trade Promotion Lottery and Competition Permits provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Competition & Consumer Law, Planning & Environment and Business & Commercial Law.
Competition & Consumer Law+2 morePlanning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(113)Google rating from 113 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Verge Legal 维智律师事务所 (Melbourne CBD) provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Franchising · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Criminal Law · Planning & EnvironmentFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Maroochydore, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(111)Google rating from 111 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Duke Legal provides legal services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing 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.
