Town Planning Services on Sydney’s Northern Beaches

Solution-focused town planning advice

  • Expert Witness and Representation in the Land and Environment Court

    George has more than 30 years experience as an Expert Witness representing local government clients and applicants appealing unfavourable determinations by consent authorities in the Land and Environment Court of NSW. Wherever possible, mediation and alternative dispute resolution is encouraged to resolve matters in dispute or reduce matters in contention in order to achieve a successful and cost effective outcome.

  • Independent Assessment of Development Proposals for Consent Authorities

    Review and assessment of Development Applications and other proposals on behalf of Local Government clients. Specialising in assessment of complex and contentious applications involving a perceived or actual conflict of interest, where it is essential that public confidence in public administration is maintained and enhanced.

  • Development Reports

    Preparation of Statements of Environmental Effect for lodgement with Development Applications, Statements of Modification, Plans of Management, written exception requests under clause 4.6 for contravention of development standards, and other development related reports and correspondence. 

    Statements of Environmental Effect often include input from a range of related fields such as architects, urban design experts, traffic engineers, acoustic engineers, geotechnical engineers, heritage experts, arborists, landscape architects, ecologists, wind consultants, access consultants and BCA consultants, and we have decades of experience in collaborating with a wide range of experts from these related fields.

  • Development Advice

    Provision of advice in relation to the development potential of a site. Peer review of reports and proposals. Advice on the feasibility of a development. Due diligence reporting.

  • Council Development Application

    “George was unbelievable, and I could not be more impressed with his service and professional manner. From the outset, George was friendly, approachable, and took the time to thoroughly understand our project and the challenges we were facing. George was always pragmatic in his approach, providing clear advice with great attention to detail. I would highly recommend George.” - Chris

Specialists in:

  • Advice on the Low and Mid Rise Housing Policy and development potential under SEPP Housing 2021 as it relates to specific sites around town centres.

  • Appearance in the NSW Land and Environment Court as an expert witness, representing the interests of Local Government clients as well as advocating on behalf of various applicants.

  • Assessment of complex and/or contentious development applications on behalf of Local Government clients.

  • Provision of planning advice and preparation of Statements of Environmental Effects for lodgement with a NSW Development Application.

  • Advice on the design of development and interpretation of the NSW Apartment Design Guide and the Housing SEPP in relation to residential flat buildings and shop-top housing.

    Advice on dual occupancies, attached dwellings, multi dwelling housing and subdivision under the Low and Mid Rise Housing Policy.

  • Expertise in relation to the design and compliance with Council standards and controls of NSW high rise residential development and mixed use development.

  • Expertise in the interpretation and application of the provisions of the Housing SEPP in relation to NSW co-living housing development, seniors housing and boarding houses.

  • Expertise in all aspects of dual occupancy development and subdivision in NSW.

  • Experience in dealing with the provisions of the Infrastructure SEPP and the NSW Child Care Planning Guideline in relation to centre-based child care facilities.

  • Expertise in NSW telecommunications facilities and the provisions of the Infrastructure SEPP and the Telecommunications Guideline.

  • Experience in NSW foreshore and marina development, including designated development.

  • Experience with a wide range of NSW industrial development, including associated remediation of contaminated sites.