Environment & Planning

Hones Lawyers specialise in Land and Environment law, with 45+ years' experience and a 90% success rate in court.

SUCCESS RATE

95%

CASES WON OR MATTERS SETTLED

1000+

CLIENTS

4000+

Expert Planning and Environment Law advice

We have your best interests in mind, and your company’s goals are ours too. Our planning lawyers work to ensure all environment and planning law requirements, procedures, reports and paperwork are in place to ensure your business gains approval, objections are mitigated and any damages are minimised and controlled.

With 45 years of experience and a diverse client list, past cases include wind farms, marinas, daycare centres, mines, contaminated land prosecutions and land clearing. Our Sydney team consists of dual-qualified environmental planning lawyers and town planners as well as Law Society accredited specialists in Local Government Law and Planning law – something few other firms could boast.

How we can help

Subdivisions of property

Re-zoning of land

Objections to property heritage-listing

Development Application

Unauthorised development works

Offering a range of Planning and Environmental Law Services

Environmental Due Diligence

We ensure your company’s property or activity is thoroughly assessed, and all potential environmental risks are managed. We provide advice on how to manage liabilities with site-specific properties and activities to avoid or reduce penalties and fines.

Land Contamination and Audits

We prepare and organise audits and inspections to gain EPA approvals and ensure your company is protected from potential liabilities and penalties associated with contaminated land.

Environmental Planning

We help to ensure your company has met its legal requirements while protecting it from any possible liabilities. We also assist in:

  • Development proposal preparation and variations
  • Negotiations of voluntary planning agreements

Environmental Approvals

We prepare all paperwork for the successful approval of environmental activities to ensure all legal requirements and mitigation strategies are included regarding residents and the public for:

  • Road Closures
  • Land Clearing
  • Bushfire Management

Land and Environment Court Appeals

Our environmental lawyers act on behalf of Sydney councils and private clients in matters relating to development proposals, dispute management, land contamination and more.

Contact Hones Lawyers

If you are looking for an environmental law specialist in Sydney. We can help. For more information regarding our Planning and Environmental Law services, or to make an appointment, speak to one of our experienced planning lawyers on 02 8318 0788.

ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING LAW

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Environmental and Planning Lawyers advise clients on areas such as town planning, development assessment, environment, land access, heritage and compulsory land acquisition and compensation. Matters can be dealt with in court or through other dispute resolution processes.

Subdividing land requires following a strict process for approval and development. The process includes a feasibility assessment, surveys, Development Application with local Council, a Plan of Subdivision, the creation of easements and restrictions and the lodgement of the Deposited Plan for creation of Title documents.

You cannot appeal a heritage listing just because you disagree with the decision to list, however, the validity of the decision can be challenged in the Land and Environment Court if you believe the correct legal process was not followed when making the listing.

Our environmental lawyers in Sydney have assisted Federal, State and Local Governments, developers, and waste service providers of all sizes with issues related to land contamination and audits. Have a look at our waste regulations and environmental law page to learn more about Environment Protection Authority investigations or contact us today.

At Hones Lawyers, we can assist you with every stage of the development application process. Our services include providing advice on the feasibility of your project, preparing and submitting development applications, negotiating with local councils and other authorities, and representing you in any legal disputes or appeals. We will ensure that your development complies with all relevant laws and regulations, helping to streamline the approval process and mitigate potential legal issues.

If your development application is rejected or refused, it is important to understand the reasons for the rejection or refusal and explore your options. At Hones Lawyers, we can help you review the decision, advise on the grounds for appeal, and represent you in appeal proceedings before the Land and Environment Court. We can also assist in negotiating amendments to the application to address the concerns raised and improve your chances of approval upon resubmission or appeal.

For a major development project, several key environmental approvals may be required to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws. These may include:

  1. Development Consent: Approval from the local council or planning authority under the relevant state or territory planning legislation, such as the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW).
  2. Environmental Impact Statement (EIS): A detailed assessment of the potential environmental impacts of the project, often required for large or environmentally sensitive developments.
  3. Water and Waste Management Licences: Approvals from state authorities like the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) for managing water usage and waste disposal.
  4. Heritage Approvals: Permits under heritage conservation laws if the site has cultural or historical significance, such as those under the Heritage Act 1977 (NSW).
  5. Biodiversity Conservation Approvals: Assessments and permits to ensure the protection of local wildlife and natural habitats, potentially under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW) or the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth).

At Hones Lawyers, we can guide you through the process of obtaining these approvals, ensuring that your project complies with all relevant environmental regulations and minimising potential legal challenges.

Customer Testimonials

We’ve helped thousands of clients throughout NSW with their legal matters.

Contact Hones Lawyers

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