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
Penrith, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(50)Google rating from 50 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Barry J R Wilson & David B Wilson provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Planning & Environment.
Wills & Estates+6 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Planning & Environment · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Elder Law & Aged Care · Estate Planning & Testamentary TrustsFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mount Waverley, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(50)Google rating from 50 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hicks Oakley Chessell Williams Lawyers - Mount Waverley provides legal services in Mount Waverley, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Commercial Litigation · Insolvency & Restructuring · Planning & Environment
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(50)Google rating from 50 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Nurture Law provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Cannonvale, QLD · Mackay & Whitsundays
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(50)Google rating from 50 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
PD Law provides legal services in Cannonvale, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Planning & Environment.
Business & Commercial Law+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Planning & Environment · Wills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Competition & Consumer Law · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
West Perth, WA · Perth CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(50)Google rating from 50 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Summers Legal provides legal services in West Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Corporate Law & M&A · Commercial Litigation · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(50)Google rating from 50 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Truly Legal provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Commercial Property & Leasing · Planning & Environment · Immigration & Visas · General Practice (regional generalist)
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(50)Google rating from 50 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
YLP Legal provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Partner & Family Visas, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Partner & Family Visas+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Property & Conveyancing · Planning & Environment · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Singleton, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(49)Google rating from 49 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Aqua Legal & Conveyancing provides legal services in Singleton, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreFamily Law · Wills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
West Perth, WA · Perth CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(49)Google rating from 49 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cariad Legal provides legal services in West Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Planning & Environment and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Traralgon, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(49)Google rating from 49 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ryan Carlisle Thomas Lawyers provides legal services in Traralgon, 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 Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(49)Google rating from 49 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Varga Lawyers provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Yarrabilba, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(48)Google rating from 48 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
ACS Legal Solutions provides legal services in Yarrabilba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Contested Wills & Family Provision
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Dee Why, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(48)Google rating from 48 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Palmers Financial Group provides legal services in Dee Why, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Planning & Environment and Wills & Estates.
Business & Commercial Law+5 morePlanning & Environment · Wills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Property & Conveyancing · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mclaren Vale, SA · Adelaide Metro
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(48)Google rating from 48 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Peter Fisher Lawyers provides legal services in Mclaren Vale, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Toukley, NSW · Central Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(46)Google rating from 46 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
GMS Conveyancing provides legal services in Toukley, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Randwick, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(46)Google rating from 46 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Joseph Lawyers provides legal services in Randwick, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+3 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Probate & Estate Administration · Planning & EnvironmentFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Richlands, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(46)Google rating from 46 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Pham Solicitors provides legal services in Richlands, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
East Toowoomba, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(46)Google rating from 46 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Skuse Graham Criminal Lawyers Warwick provides legal services in East Toowoomba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Criminal Law+6 moreTraffic Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Partner & Family Visas · Business & Commercial Law · Bail Applications · Planning & Environment
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(45)Google rating from 45 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Acorn Lawyers provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Glenroy, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(45)Google rating from 45 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Buller McLeod Solicitors provides legal services in Glenroy, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Liverpool, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(45)Google rating from 45 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Marsdens Law Group provides legal services in Liverpool, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Criminal Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Planning & Environment · Medical Negligence
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.
