Local Government
Offering advice to government authorities on compliance with complex legislation and regulations that govern their daily operations, powers, duties and engagement with the community.
Local Government
Offering advice to government authorities on compliance with complex legislation and regulations that govern their daily operations, powers, duties and engagement with the community.
Local Government
Maintaining public confidence can be compromised in the absence of appropriate legal guidance, resulting in a lack of transparency and trust with the community.
Obtaining advice from the outset minimises legal, financial and reputational issues caused by unintentional non-compliance, challenging of decisions and costly litigation.
We advise metropolitan, regional and rural local government authorities on compliance with complex legislation and regulations that govern their daily operations, powers, duties and engagement with the community.
We also assist private developers, businesses and individuals in their engagement with local government and represent both sides in negotiations and disputes in matters of public administration, planning and development, environment and property transactions.
Our solicitors have experience acting for Councils as trusted legal service providers for over 40 years, as well as in-house solicitors at Council themselves early in their careers.
This experience has established a strong understanding of the day-to-day functions of Council and its engagement with the community.
Our experience in acting for both Councils and developers, businesses and individuals is an asset we effectively harness in negotiating positive outcomes for all sides, regardless of which side we are representing.
We regularly deliver training sessions to improve public services available to the community, as well as hold public general meetings with Council officers, resident action groups and community members to address concerns that may be resolved.
- All aspects of regulatory compliance and exercising power under the Local Government Act 1993, Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, Companion Animals Act 1998, Protection of the Environment Operation Act 1997 and Food Act 2003.
- Responsible governance, internal operational structures, strategic decision-making, risk minimisation processes and delivery of training sessions to improve public services available to the community.
- Procurement processes and probity, tendering for goods and services and public contracts in line with NSW guidelines and legal requirements.
- Council land matters such as leasing and sale of public property, infrastructure development, drafting contracts and planning agreements involved in negotiations and delivery of public amenities and open space.
- Privacy regulations and information access requests under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA)
- All aspects of development applications and consents, approved land use, unauthorised works and community interest.
- Representation in Court proceedings with regards to development appeals, urgent interlocutory injunctions, enforcement action and stop-work orders, mandamus proceedings, prosecution of criminal environmental offences, disputes regarding penalties issued and other orders such as dangerous dog declarations (most commonly in local Court and the Land and Environment Court of NSW).
Accredited Specialists
Tom is an accredited specialist in planning and environment law, while John is a certified practising town planner as well as a solicitor.
40+ Years Experience
In acting for both Councils and private clients/developers, we are uniquely positioned to provide advice that is based on a thorough understanding of both sides.
Expansive Network
We maintain strong relationships with an expansive network of experts across many disciplines and barristers who are willing to support our clients further on short notice.