OUR SERVICES
Apex Planning and Environment Law can assist you from the early stages of project and development planning, through the application process and, if necessary, in any appeal to the Land and Environment Court.
LAND AND ENVIRONMENT COURT
We represent councils, developers, businesses, and private clients in a broad range of Land and Environment Court proceedings, providing strategic advocacy and clear, practical advice at every stage of the litigation process. Our experience spans Class 1 development and residential appeals, Class 4 enforcement proceedings, Class 5 criminal prosecutions, appeals against Council orders, and disputes under the Trees (Disputes Between Neighbours) Act 2006.
We regularly appear in matters concerning residential, commercial, and industrial development, including childcare centres, boarding houses, dual occupancies, mixed-use developments, subdivisions, and larger-scale commercial and industrial projects. Our team is experienced in managing complex planning disputes, coordinating expert evidence, and navigating technical planning and environmental issues to achieve commercially sound and legally robust outcomes.
COUNCIL APPLICATIONS
We provide comprehensive legal advice and strategic guidance across all stages of the development and planning approval process. Our expertise includes advising on development applications, existing use rights, planning proposals, subdivision applications, statutory planning controls, certification requirements, and Council orders.
We assist developers, landowners, and businesses in navigating complex environmental planning legislation, Local Environmental Plans, Development Control Plans, and other regulatory frameworks. Our team works closely with councils and industry experts — including planners, architects, engineers, and heritage consultants — to resolve issues efficiently and support successful project outcomes.
We also advise on and prepare Voluntary Planning Agreements, assist with compliance and certification matters, and provide practical solutions to address regulatory challenges, unlawful works, and enforcement concerns across residential, commercial, and industrial developments.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT LAW
We advise councils, councillors, and senior staff on a wide range of local government law and governance issues, providing clear, practical guidance on compliance, risk management, and statutory obligations. Our expertise includes codes of conduct, pecuniary interest declarations, conflicts of interest, and broader probity and governance matters affecting decision-making within local government.
We also advise on council meeting procedures, including meeting conduct, resolutions, delegations, and procedural compliance, as well as the lawful disclosure of information and public access to council documents.
Our team has experience in land management matters, including plans of management and the classification and categorisation of public land under the Local Government Act 1993. We also provide advice on rating and valuation issues, compulsory acquisition of land, and the assessment and negotiation of compensation on a “just terms” basis.
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
We advise councils, developers, businesses, and landowners on all aspects of environmental regulation, compliance, and enforcement. Our expertise includes water, air, and noise pollution issues, as well as the management of regulatory instruments such as clean-up notices, prevention notices, and environment protection licences under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997.
We provide strategic advice on liability, compliance obligations, and enforcement action under key environmental legislation, including the Contaminated Land Management Act 1997 and the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. This includes advising on site contamination, remediation requirements, biodiversity impacts, and approval pathways for development affecting environmentally sensitive land.
Our team also advises on threatened species considerations, habitat protection, and the assessment and management of impacts on trees and vegetation. We assist clients in navigating complex environmental assessment requirements and developing practical strategies to achieve regulatory compliance while supporting development and land use objectives.
STATE APPLICATIONS AND APPROVALS
We advise on State significant development, State significant infrastructure, Crown development, and integrated development under NSW planning legislation. Our experience includes major residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects assessed under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, as well as matters requiring approvals from multiple State government agencies under a range of environmental, transport, heritage, and natural resources legislation.
We also assist with Crown land matters, including classification, management, leasing, licensing, reclassification, and development of Crown reserves and public land, as well as related planning and Voluntary Planning Agreement issues.
In addition, we advise on the role and processes of the Independent Planning Commission and the Sydney and Regional Planning Panels in determining complex and regionally significant development applications, as well as heritage constraints and approvals under the Heritage Act 1977.
Why choose Apex Law?
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We guide clients through every stage of the planning and legal process with clarity, precision, and commercial focus. Our advice is strategically tailored to navigate regulatory complexity, manage risk, and support successful project outcomes.
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Our firm brings a sophisticated understanding of the New South Wales planning regime, enabling us to navigate legislative and regulatory complexities with precision. We provide clear, decisive guidance through every layer of the approvals process, ensuring our clients are always strategically positioned.
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We are trusted by developers and councils to deliver results. Our experience spans securing complex development approvals, managing contentious applications, and achieving favourable planning outcomes in challenging environments.
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Our established rapport with councils, planning authorities, and industry stakeholders enables us to engage with credibility, insight, and foresight. We understand the nuances of decision-making environments and advocate strategically to advance our clients’ objectives.
