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.
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
NV Lawyers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Commercial Property & Leasing · Probate & Estate Administration · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: japanese
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
South East Coast Conveyancing provides conveyancing services in Woodlands (south), NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Commercial Property & Leasing and Agribusiness & Rural Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreCommercial Property & Leasing · Agribusiness & Rural Law · Strata & Body Corporate · Business & Commercial Law · Partner & Family Visas · Building & Construction · Planning & Environment
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Sparke Helmore provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Partner & Family Visas · Public Liability · Planning & Environment · Insolvency & Restructuring · Coronial Inquests
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Sykes Pearson Miller provides conveyancing services in Noosa Heads, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Building & Construction · Criminal Law
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Brereton Lawyers provides legal services in Robina, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Business & Commercial Law.
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Brischetto & Ford Solicitors provides legal services in Griffith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Insurance Law & Disputes.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Insurance Law & Disputes · Partner & Family Visas · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Not-for-Profit & Charity Law · Planning & Environment · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Clements Hutchins & Co provides legal services in Altona North, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Debt Recovery.
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Clements Hutchins & Co provides legal services in Altona, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Debt Recovery.
Bondi Junction, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Comino Prassas provides conveyancing services in Bondi Junction, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Planning & Environment.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Planning & Environment · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Notary Public & JP Services · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Immigration & Visas
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Dev Smith Nguyen Lawyers provides legal services in Tanunda, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Family Law
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Ferrier & Co Solicitors Roma provides legal services in Toowoomba City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Agribusiness & Rural Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Probate & Estate Administration
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Frank Jongkind & Co provides legal services in Charleville, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+4 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Partner & Family Visas · Planning & Environment
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Hood , Robert provides legal services in Orange, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Planning & Environment and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+4 morePlanning & Environment · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Laf Conveyancing provides conveyancing services in Newcastle, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Strata & Body Corporate and Planning & Environment.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreStrata & Body Corporate · Planning & Environment · Building & Construction · Business & Commercial Law · Commercial Property & Leasing · NDIS & Disability Law
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
P&E Law Pty Ltd provides legal services in Chinchilla, QLD. Listed practice areas include Planning & Environment, Agribusiness & Rural Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Planning & Environment+5 moreAgribusiness & Rural Law · Business & Commercial Law · Native Title & Aboriginal Legal Services · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Property & Conveyancing
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Property Law & More provides legal services in Armidale, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Elder Law & Aged Care · Employment Law
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Satsias Andrew provides conveyancing services in Queanbeyan, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Strata & Body Corporate and Planning & Environment.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreStrata & Body Corporate · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law · Partner & Family Visas · Wills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Tehan George & Co - Law Firm - Euroa provides legal services in Seymour, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Property & Conveyancing · Planning & Environment · Partner & Family Visas · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Business & Commercial Law · Building & Construction
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Templer Legal provides legal services in Ivanhoe, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Commercial Property & Leasing · Strata & Body CorporateFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Tolhurst Druce & Emmerson provides legal services in Riddells Creek, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Wills & Estates+7 moreFamily Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law · Partner & Family Visas
Aboriginal Family Law Services provides legal services in East Victoria Park, WA. Listed practice areas include Partner & Family Visas, Child Protection & Care Matters and Family Law.
Partner & Family Visas+5 moreChild Protection & Care Matters · Family Law · Assault & Violent Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Planning & Environment
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.
