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Environment & Planning

Addisons’ highly respected Environment & Planning team brings an unsurpassed depth of experience advising on NSW projects, assisting clients to navigate complex approval processes and turn their planned projects into reality.

Clients can be assured of our comprehensive support through all stages of projects, from preliminary strategic advice, due diligence and scoping, planning and approvals processes, agreements, financing to commencement, construction, operation and disposal.

With long experience with the environment and planning legal framework, our lawyers bring dual expertise in architecture, environmental science and policy. We are creative problem-solvers, skilled in negotiating and communicating with a wide range of stakeholder groups. Our advice ensures clients can address the overlapping policy, politics, risk and legal issues that can influence planning processes. We enable clients to anticipate decision-makers’ concerns and navigate the path to approval. Our strong commercial perspective and pragmatic approach ensures we focus on the points worth pursuing.

Addisons has assisted clients deliver projects including CBD commercial towers, mines, ports, hotels and resorts, energy, transport and logistics, pipelines, as well as greenfield and infill residential development and shopping centres. We are very proud of our role supporting clients to create some of the State’s landmark spaces.

Meet our lawyers

Harshane Kahagalle

Harshane Kahagalle

Partner
Penny Murray

Penny Murray

Partner
Natalie Rodwell

Natalie Rodwell

Partner
Helen Macfarlane

Helen Macfarlane

Consultant
Pauline Adraskelas

Pauline Adraskelas

Special Counsel
Lee Cone

Lee Cone

Senior Associate
Anna Lindeman-Jones

Anna Lindeman-Jones

Senior Associate
Civil enforcement and judicial review

acted for clients defending civil enforcement proceedings brought by individuals and public authorities. For example, acting for Autorecyclers in relation to judicial review proceedings commenced by a commercial competitor who alleged a breach of planning approvals. Also acted for Lendlease in successfully defending Class 4 judicial review proceedings in the NSW Land and Environment Court commenced by a public interest group to challenge Mod 8 to the Barangaroo Concept Plan.

Compulsory acquisition and valuation

represented numerous landowners and tenants in matters involving acquisitions by public authorities. Clients include Mirvac, Stockland, Billbergia Group, Leda Holdings, Grand Rozelle, Cerebral Palsy Alliance, Gillespies Cranes, Inner West Council, City of Sydney Council, Specsavers, University of New England, strata corporations, industrial landowners and Pacific Bay Resort.

Contamination and waste disposal

advised builders and landowners on liability issues arising from latent or pre-existing contamination and/or importation of asbestos-contaminated waste.

Industrial/commercial

advised Dexus and Stockland on their office redevelopments in Macquarie Park including negotiations with council and Transport for NSW (TfNSW) and advised Stockland on a voluntary planning agreement for its project. Also advised Mirvac on its redevelopments at Australian Technology Park and 55 Pitt Street.

Residential apartment developments

acted for a variety of private developers of residential apartment developments, including advising on planning strategies, clause 4.6 objections, representations to the determination panel and in court if required.

Residential greenfield communities

provided rezoning and planning and biodiversity regulation advice for greenfield developments including Figtree Hill, Ashbourne by NOVM, North Richmond, Rouse Hill, Bingara and Calderwood. Also advised on state and local voluntary planning agreements, adjoining developer coordination and defending court challenges to rezonings and consents.

Retail

advised the owners of Eastwood Shopping Mall on its development application to redevelop the precinct including the clause 4.6 objection and voluntary planning agreement. Advised Gazcorp in relation to the Orange Grove shopping centre development in Liverpool, including advising on permissibility of retail development and planning proposals, and preparing planning agreements.

Seniors and affordable housing

provided planning approval advice to RSL Lifecare for its assets at Port Macquarie, Yass and Dee Why. Also advising Fresh Hope on its affordable housing projects, and advising developers on application of the NSW Government’s in-fill affordable housing provisions.

Urban regeneration

advised Lendlease in relation to a number of major projects (including transitional Part 3A) such as Barangaroo and Sydney International Convention Exhibition & Entertainment Precinct. Advised PAYCE on the Melrose Park North planning proposal including advice on contributions, planning approval strategy, and state and local voluntary planning agreements.

Best Law Firms™ Australia – Sydney

2025 | Planning and Environmental Law

Best Law Firms™ Australia – National

2025 | Planning and Environmental Law

Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific: Australia

2024 | Environment & Planning

Doyles Guide Leading Firms – NSW

2021-2024 | Environment & Climate Change

2022-2024 | Town Planning & Development Firms

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific

2023-2024| Environment & Planning

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