Call for submissions on the Better Apartments Draft Design Standards
Following the Better Apartments – A Discussion Paper (May 2015) and the Better Apartments Public Engagement Report (December 2015), the Victorian Government has now released the long awaited Better Apartments Draft Design Standards (Draft Standards). Partner Meg Lee and lawyer Linda Choi highlight the key proposals. The Draft Standards aim to raise the quality of […]
ReadmoreCourt rescues landowner from oversight which results in lapsing of development approval
The Planning and Environment Court made a declaration that a development approval for residential purposes over land in Beerwah had lapsed and an order that the time for the making of a request to extend the relevant period of the development approval be extended. This decision was determined under the provisions of the now repealed […]
ReadmoreFine imposed for disposing of asbestos without a valid environmental authority
Mr Wayne Wharton was convicted of 65 offences under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 and fined $25,000 and ordered to pay legal and investigation costs of around $3,000 by the Ipswich Magistrates Court for carrying out an environmentally relevant activity without a valid environmental authority. Implications It is an offence under section 426 of the […]
ReadmoreRating of land – what happens when there is no applicable rating category
In brief – The categorisation of land for rating purposes has major financial impacts for landowners and local governments. In a recent appeal about the categorisation of land for rating purposes, the Land Court had to deal with a situation where it found that neither of the rating categorises submitted by the owner or Council […]
ReadmoreCourt dismisses appeal against decision to refuse development application for the demolition of a pre-1946 dwelling
In brief – The Planning and Environment Court has dismissed an appeal against Brisbane City Council’s decision to refuse a development application for the demolition of a pre-1946 dwelling in Spring Hill. This is one of many decisions this year which act as a reminder to developers that Brisbane City Council has taken a firm […]
ReadmoreSupreme Court declares landowner is required to pay outstanding infrastructure charges
In brief – The Supreme Court has dismissed an application by a landowner seeking a declaration that it was not liable to pay unpaid infrastructure charges by way of a rate notice it received as the owner of the land in relation to a development approval which was obtained and acted upon by a tenant. […]
ReadmoreDemolition of pre-1947 residential building refused
In brief – The Planning and Environment Court has refused a development application for a preliminary approval for building work to facilitate a demolition of a pre-1947 residential building at Albion, as the street in which it was located contained visual and traditional character and the demolition of the building would result in a loss […]
ReadmoreJail time for subcontractor convicted of providing false information
In brief –The Magistrates Court has sentenced a man to two months’ imprisonment after being convicted of four offences under the Environmental Protection Act 1994, in a decision that demonstrates that courts will not shy away from prison time when dealing with the provision of false and misleading information. Key take outs It is […]
ReadmoreCourt declares development application for telecommunications tower unlawful
In brief – The Planning and Environment Court made declarations that the assessment of a telecommunication facility was code and not impact assessable under the local government’s planning scheme, and consequently the decision of the local government to assess the application on the basis it was impact assessable was void and of no effect. This […]
ReadmoreVictorian Government demonstrates commitment to renewable energy with ambitious targets
The Andrews Government has demonstrated its commitment to the renewable energy industry and combating climate change by introducing a bill to the Victorian parliament last Thursday which will legislate ambitious new renewable energy targets. Partner Meg Lee and Senior Associate Kate Kirby report. What is the target? The new Victorian renewable energy targets (VRETs) […]
ReadmoreSetting the standard for PFAS management in Australia – PFAS NEPM consultation paper released
Australia and New Zealand have moved one step closer to establishing a framework to manage PFAS, a manufactured chemical which has emerged as a contaminant of concern worldwide over the recent years and this year has been the basis for two class actions in Australia. PFAS, short for per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, has become an issue […]
ReadmoreNo compensation for the developer after Court refuses application to convert non-trunk infrastructure to trunk infrastructure – Insights for developers and infrastructure providers
In brief –The Planning and Environment Court has for the first time decided an application by a developer to convert non-trunk infrastructure to trunk infrastructure. In a decision that has significant financial implications for developers and infrastructure providers, the Court refused the application and provided guidance on the determination of future conversion applications. Implications […]
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