Local Government and Property Development
A. Working for Local Government and State Government Authorities
Our experience working for Local Government and State Government Authorities is broad and deep.
RMB Lawyers has long been regarded as a prominent firm in the area of Local Government Law and Planning Law having represented Local Government for over 60 years.
We act for a significant number of Local Councils in NSW, the NSW State Government and related authorities. We advise on the full spectrum of legal issues facing modern Local Councils and State Government Authorities.
Our work consists of approximately 50% advice and 50% dispute resolution. We understand the legislative framework and risk profile which govern the activities of our clients in this area.
We also understand the cost shifting that Local Councils and State Government Authorities constantly have to bear, along with the competing interests of stakeholders including residents, ratepayers, developers, interest groups and other tiers of Government. Our services are tailored to the needs and costs parameters of your organisation.
What we do for Councils and State Government Authorities?
- Planning and environmental law
- Advice on all matters regarding the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, other related legislation and environmental planning instruments
- Advocacy in all classes of proceedings in the Land & Environment Court of NSW
- Remediation and contamination
- Orders and civil enforcement
- Re-zoning advice and gate way proposals
- Preparation and review of Voluntary Planning Agreements
- Property development
- Conveyancing and property transfers – small and large scale
- Joint ventures
- Subdivisions
- Local Government law
- Advice on all matters regarding the Local Government Act 1993, Crown Land Management Act 2016, Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991, and other related legislation
- Commercial transactions
- Contract law including leasing and licencing
- Tendering and Procurement
- Rates and charges
- Code of conduct complaints
- Delegation rights and responsibilities
- Governance and strategic planning
- External GIPA Review
- Advocacy in the Local, District and Supreme Court proceedings of NSW and NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal
- Construction law including dispute resolution
- Public liability
- Insurance law
- Industrial and workplace law
- ICAC inquiries
B. Property Developers and Consultants involved in the Property Development Industry
Our clients in this area are small, medium and large scale developers along with a wide range of consultants and experts including planners, architects, drafts people, valuers, surveyors, real estate agents, material suppliers and other advisors.
What we do for Developers and Industry Consultants?
- Planning and environmental law
- Advice on all matters regarding the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, other related legislation and environmental planning instruments
- Advocacy in all classes of proceedings in the Land & Environment Court of NSW
- Advice on development applications and negotiating with consent authorities
- Advising planning consultants on legal issues
- Remediation and contamination
- Responding to Orders and civil enforcement
- Re-zoning advice and Gateway Proposals
- Review of Voluntary Planning Agreements
- Property development
- Conveyancing and property transfers for development sites - small and large scale including pre-purchased due diligence
- Off-the-plan sales
- Options
- Joint venture and shareholder arrangements
- Subdivisions
- Advising on Torrens, strata and community title
- Advising on easements, restrictions on the use of land and the like
- Local Government law
- Advice on all matters regarding the Local Government Act 1993, Crown Land Management Act 2016, Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991, and other related legislation
- Negotiating with Local Government and State Government Authorities
- Commercial law
- Construction and subcontractor contracts
- Contractor disputes
- Advocacy in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal
- Advising on Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999
- Insurance disputes
Local Government Portal
An information portal to assist Local Council executives and team members perform their day to day roles. Our Local Government clients may enter our Local Government Portal which has been developed by our team from the ground up. The Portal includes:
- A summary of 20 plus key planning principles
- A series of advices that we have provided to various Local Councils over the last two years tailored to protect confidentiality
- A summary of key cases as they arise
- Articles written by various members of our team that are of relevance to the Local Councils