Environment and planning lawyer.

Whiteacre Legal’s dedicated planning and environment lawyers provide expert assistance in all planning and environment matters across NSW. With 20 years of experience achieving successful legal outcomes, we are a trusted, strategic partner in property development.

Over the years, we've honed an understanding of the legal hurdles and intricacies of the NSW planning system. This knowledge, coupled with practical strategies and critical thinking, drives projects from conception through to consent.

From practical guidance and appealing DA refusals, to representing your best interests in the Land and Environment Court, Whiteacre Legal is committed to achieving high-value outcomes.

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planning and environment law Wollongong, NSW

Planning & environmental law specialists in NSW.

Whiteacre’s experienced planning and environment lawyers serve a diverse clientele, including private developers, landowners and local governments throughout New South Wales.

Our legal services cover every stage of the property development journey, including legal advice on town planning, planning appeals, due diligence and development approvals. We progress the process, consistently moving our clients through the complex planning and approvals process to achieving outcomes.

Our expertise also spans voluntary planning agreements, infrastructure agreements, compulsory acquisition matters and handling compliance and enforcement matters.

Whiteacre Legal has extensive experience progressing projects facing challenges within the planning and approvals process. Our expertise reignites projects that have lost momentum or that are being frustrated within the process, progressing them from complexity to consent.

By combining an intricate understanding of the NSW planning system with practical strategies and critical thinking, we bring momentum back to projects.

We have represented many of our clients in Land and Environment Court proceedings. Whiteacre Legal’s planning lawyers are equipped and ready to guide you through the nuances of planning and environmental law, ensuring your interests are expertly represented.

Whiteacre Legal are experts in planning and environment law, progressing our clients through the complex planning and approvals process.

Whiteacre Legal's experienced planning and environment lawyers are here to help you achieve high-value outcomes in your property development journey. With years of experience, we have an unrivalled understanding of the NSW planning system.

Our planning lawyers can assist with preparing development applications, crafting compelling submissions to Council and guiding you through your planning appeal rights.

If needed, our planning lawyers will represent you in appeals at the NSW Land and Environment Court.

In New South Wales, several authorities can issue development control orders or environmental compliance orders. Our team, with over 20 years of experience is your strategic partner providing practical advice and defence against compliance orders.

Our planning and environment lawyers can assist developers and private individuals who may have received an order to negotiate a sensible outcome or, if necessary, defend an unreasonable order.

Often, through early intervention we are able to successfully divert proposed prosecutions saving you thousands in court fees and fines.

Whiteacre is a boutique property law firm specialising in planning and environment law. We bring more than 20 years of experience acting for private developers, private equity funds and local councils, giving us a unique insight into the significant challenges that each side faces for development applications, planning agreements or support for complex litigation matters.

Get In Touch

Phone:

0466 888 697

Head Office

Sydney CBD

Level 13, 111 Elizabeth Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Other Locations

Wollongong

Lvl 1, 147 Wentworth Street, Port Kembla NSW 2500

Nowra

Goulburn

Batemans Bay

Shop 21/12-18 Orient St, Batemans Bay NSW 2536

Merimbula

1/31 Merimbula Drive, Merimbula NSW 2548

News and Insights

Court clarifies that Planning Agreements are not always necessary to dedicate land

By Mark Evans • 04 Apr, 2024

Planning Agreements not always needed to dedicate land

What is Qualified Title? What is Limited Title? How do you remove cautions from the title to your land?

By Mark Evans • 28 Mar, 2024

What is qualified title? Before the introduction of Torrens title in NSW, all land was either Crown land or Old System land. Old System was a cumbersome system in which you had to show an unbroken chain of ownership all the way back to the original grant before you could transfer ownership of Old System land. The Torrens title introduction of the Torrens Register changed all this. When Old System title is converted into Torrens title (either by registration of a deed or a plan) and recorded on the Torrens Register, sometimes the Registrar General will record a “Caution” on the title. All Qualified titles carry a caution notification in the Second Schedule pursuant to s28J(1), s28J(1A), or s28J(1B) Real Property Act 1900 warning any person having an interest in or dealing with the land that subsisting interests not recorded on the Qualified folio of the Register may exist. The type of caution depends on the circumstances of conversion and has no affect on dealings lodged. This means that there may be unregistered interests in the land that may not show up on the title, for example an unregistered easement or lease. A caution can be removed from the title, hence converting the qualified title into a full Torrens title in a number of methods. The method chosen will depend on how long you have owned the land. What is limited title? Where the boundaries of Old System land are not properly defined, the Real Property Act 1900 allows for conversion from Old System title to a Limited folio of the Torrens Register. A Limited folio may be created and a notification is recorded in the Second Schedule of the folio of the Register: where the title is also Qualified: 'Limited Title. Limitation pursuant to s28T(4) of the Real Property Act 1900 . The Boundaries Of The Land Comprised Herein Have Not Been Investigated By The Registrar General' or where the title is not Qualified: 'Limited Title. Limitation pursuant to s28T(1A) of the Real Property Act 1900 . The Boundaries Of The Land Comprised Herein Are Not Sufficiently Defined To Enable The Creation Of An Ordinary Folio Of The Register'. The limitation has no effect on the registration of dealings and may be removed by lodgment of a plan of survey. Note A folio may be both Limited and Qualified. Require further assistance? We have assisted many landowners remove this caution from the title to their land. If you require advice or assistance with qualified title or limited title, we can help you understand the limitations on your title and provide advice about what you can do about it.

Introduction to the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme for Landowners

By Mark Evans • 21 Mar, 2024

An introduction to the NSW Biodiversity Offsets Scheme for landowners

Whiteacre is a boutique planning and property law firm specialising in planning and environmental law. We bring more than 20 years of experience acting for private developers, private equity funds and local councils, giving us a unique insight into the significant challenges that each side faces for development applications, planning agreements or support for complex litigation matters.

Get In Touch

Phone

02 9145 0900