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.
Ryan Carlisle Thomas Lawyers provides legal services in Geelong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, TPD & Superannuation Claims and Personal Injury.
Wills & Estates+7 moreTPD & Superannuation Claims · Personal Injury · Public Liability · Medical Negligence · Workers Compensation · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial LawNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Ryan Carlisle Thomas Lawyers provides legal services in Melton, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, TPD & Superannuation Claims and Personal Injury.
Wills & Estates+7 moreTPD & Superannuation Claims · Personal Injury · Public Liability · Medical Negligence · Workers Compensation · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial LawNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Ryan Carlisle Thomas Lawyers provides legal services in Wonthaggi, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, TPD & Superannuation Claims and Personal Injury.
Wills & Estates+7 moreTPD & Superannuation Claims · Personal Injury · Public Liability · Medical Negligence · Workers Compensation · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial LawNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Ryan Carlisle Thomas Lawyers provides legal services in Narre Warren, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, TPD & Superannuation Claims and Personal Injury.
Wills & Estates+7 moreTPD & Superannuation Claims · Personal Injury · Public Liability · Medical Negligence · Workers Compensation · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial LawNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
S.Sapuppo Solicitor provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreWills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Probate & Estate Administration · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Family Law · Building & Construction
Shaddicks Lawyers provides legal services in Richmond, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Agribusiness & Rural Law.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Agribusiness & Rural Law · Wills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Family Law · Criminal Law
Shane Ellis Legal Group Pty Ltd provides legal services in Robina, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Sievers Lee provides legal services in Sunshine, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
South West Community Legal Centre provides legal services in Margaret River, WA. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Probate & Estate Administration · Criminal Law
South West Community Legal Centre provides legal services in Bunbury, WA. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Storey & Gough Lawyers provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Planning & Environment, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Planning & Environment+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Commercial Litigation · Partner & Family Visas · Estate Planning & Testamentary TrustsFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Succession Solutions Perth provides legal services in West Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Planning & Environment, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Planning & Environment+4 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Tax Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship
Sunbury Law Pty Ltd provides legal services in Sunbury, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Swift Legal Solutions Pty Ltd provides legal services in Pialba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Health & Medical Practitioner Law.
Property & Conveyancing+4 moreWills & Estates · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Planning & Environment
Teddington Legal provides legal services in Potts Point, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Immigration & Visas.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Immigration & Visas · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Commercial Property & Leasing · Partner & Family Visas6 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: mandarin, cantonese, arabic, spanish, japanese
Lane Cove North, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
The Property Conveyancers provides legal services in Lane Cove North, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Insolvency & Restructuring.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Insolvency & Restructuring · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks · Planning & Environment · Wills & Estates · Franchising2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: french
The Will Factory provides legal services in Point Vernon, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Tim Rice Lawyer provides legal services in Tenterfield, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Business & Commercial Law+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Partner & Family Visas · Criminal Law
Tiwi Land Council provides legal services in Winnellie, NT. Listed practice areas include Commercial Property & Leasing, NDIS & Disability Law and Health & Medical Practitioner Law.
Commercial Property & Leasing+3 moreNDIS & Disability Law · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Planning & Environment
Transitus Legal provides legal services in Helensburgh, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Elder Law & Aged Care · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
Vincent Butcher Lawyers provides conveyancing services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Planning & Environment · Wills & Estates · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Personal Injury
Vincent Butcher Lawyers provides legal services in Grafton, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Planning & Environment · Wills & Estates · Personal Injury · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody
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.
