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.
Adelta Legal provides legal services in Tea Tree Gully, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Probate & Estate Administration · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship5 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: mandarin, italian, spanish, french
Aden Lawyers provides legal services in Pittsworth, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Building & Construction and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBuilding & Construction · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Agribusiness & Rural Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
Gladesville, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
Adrian F Guido & Co provides legal services in Gladesville, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Personal Injury · Planning & Environment · Probate & Estate Administration
Gordon, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
Alexander DW & Co provides legal services in Gordon, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Building & Construction and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Drink & Drug Driving+3 moreBuilding & Construction · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Planning & Environment2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: german
Allen Duggan Solicitors provides legal services in Forbes, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts and Planning & Environment.
Wills & Estates+5 moreEstate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Probate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial Law
Allen Duggan Solicitors provides legal services in Bourke, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts and Planning & Environment.
Wills & Estates+5 moreEstate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Probate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial Law
Allen Duggan Solicitors provides legal services in Grenfell, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts and Planning & Environment.
Wills & Estates+5 moreEstate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Probate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial Law
Allens provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Partner & Family Visas and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Business & Commercial Law+7 morePartner & Family Visas · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Property & Conveyancing · Planning & Environment · Fraud & White Collar Crime2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: korean
Alpha Conveyancing and Settlement Solutions provides conveyancing services in Balcatta, WA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Property Settlement and Agribusiness & Rural Law.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreFamily Property Settlement · Agribusiness & Rural Law · Partner & Family Visas · Commercial Property & Leasing · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Planning & Environment
Anglican Community Care Inc provides legal services in Murray Bridge East, SA. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Partner & Family Visas and Agribusiness & Rural Law.
Business & Commercial Law+7 morePartner & Family Visas · Agribusiness & Rural Law · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Child Protection & Care Matters · Planning & Environment · Building & Construction
Ardent Lawyers provides legal services in St Georges Basin, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Arthur E George & Sons provides legal services in Port Fairy, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Aspire Family Law provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Health & Medical Practitioner Law, Elder Law & Aged Care and Child Protection & Care Matters.
Health & Medical Practitioner Law+4 moreElder Law & Aged Care · Child Protection & Care Matters · Planning & Environment · Partner & Family Visas
Manly Vale, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
Atkinson Vinden provides legal services in Manly Vale, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Aubrey Brown Lawyers provides legal services in Erina, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Criminal Law
Aubrey F Crawley & Co Solicitors provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
North Sydney, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
Bearing Point provides legal services in North Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Banking & Finance and Partner & Family Visas.
Business & Commercial Law+5 moreBanking & Finance · Partner & Family Visas · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Planning & Environment · Sports & Entertainment Law
Bell Miller Solicitors Maroochydore provides legal services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Family Law · Immigration & Visas · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Commercial Property & Leasing · Planning & Environment
Bick & Steele provides legal services in Coffs Harbour, NSW. Listed practice areas include Planning & Environment, Native Title & Aboriginal Legal Services and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Bowen Buchbinder Vilensky provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Family Law+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Corporate Law & M&A · Insurance Law & Disputes · Planning & Environment · Commercial Litigation
Boylan Lawyers provides legal services in Clifton Beach, TAS. Listed practice areas include Workers Compensation, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Workers Compensation+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Planning & Environment · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks · Competition & Consumer Law · Commercial Property & Leasing
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.
