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.
Holding Redlich - Brisbane provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Agribusiness & Rural Law, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Agribusiness & Rural Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Competition & Consumer Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Partner & Family Visas · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks · Planning & Environment4 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: italian, spanish, german
Hume Taylor & Co provides legal services in Whyalla, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Property & Conveyancing · Probate & Estate Administration · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Criminal Law · Partner & Family Visas3 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: vietnamese, german
HUNTER NEWNS & HOLT provides legal services in Hamilton, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
North Sydney, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
Iconveyancing.com.au provides legal services in North Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Planning & Environment.
Immigration Agent Perth WA provides legal services in East Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Registered Migration Agent (non-lawyer) and Skilled & Business Visas.
Immigration & Visas+6 moreRegistered Migration Agent (non-lawyer) · Skilled & Business Visas · Partner & Family Visas · Business & Commercial Law · Visa Refusals & Tribunal Appeals · Planning & EnvironmentFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Crows Nest, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
Ippolito Lawyers provides legal services in Crows Nest, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Powers of Attorney & Guardianship and Planning & Environment.
Jackson & Associates provides legal services in Belair, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Powers of Attorney & Guardianship and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+5 morePowers of Attorney & Guardianship · Probate & Estate Administration · Planning & Environment · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Property & Conveyancing
JDF Legal Pty Ltd provides legal services in Montmorency, VIC. Listed practice areas include Probate & Estate Administration, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Joe Mamone Lawyer provides legal services in Shepparton, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Jones Christine provides legal services in Noosaville, QLD. Listed practice areas include General Practice (regional generalist), Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
General Practice (regional generalist)+8 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Building & Construction · Criminal Law
Kell Moore Lawyers & Conveyancers Wangaratta provides legal services in Albury, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Building & Construction · Agribusiness & Rural Law
Kells The Lawyers provides legal services in Dapto, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Partner & Family Visas · Planning & Environment · Criminal Law · Coronial Inquests · Wills & EstatesNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Khoury Lawyers Pty Ltd provides legal services in Marrickville, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Building & Construction and Strata & Body Corporate.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+6 moreBuilding & Construction · Strata & Body Corporate · Commercial Litigation · Planning & Environment · Debt Recovery · Administrative & Government Law
KS Law provides legal services in Scone, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Agribusiness & Rural Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreAgribusiness & Rural Law · Business & Commercial Law · Native Title & Aboriginal Legal Services · Building & Construction · Planning & Environment · Wills & Estates
Lancaster Graham provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Mediation & Dispute Resolution, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Insolvency & Restructuring.
Lane O Rourke provides legal services in Earlwood, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Elder Law & Aged Care · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Planning & Environment · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Lawsearch Australia Pty Ltd provides legal services in Murwillumbah, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Probate & Estate Administration.
Legal Aid NSW provides legal services in Moree, NSW. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Health & Medical Practitioner Law and Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal.
Immigration & Visas+6 moreHealth & Medical Practitioner Law · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal · Partner & Family Visas · Planning & Environment · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Centrelink & Social Security
Legal Aid NSW provides legal services in Gosford, NSW. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Health & Medical Practitioner Law and Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal.
Immigration & Visas+6 moreHealth & Medical Practitioner Law · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal · Partner & Family Visas · Planning & Environment · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Centrelink & Social Security
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.
