We cover all aspects of the property sector, including acquisitions and disposals, leasing and developments, and provide our clients with efficient and cost-effective advice on all issues that they may encounter.

Commercial Property

We have a strong track record advising on commercial property matters (including office, retail, hotels and leisure, industrial, health and aged care, agribusiness and high-end residential), extensive experience and industry knowledge. We deliver tailored, commercial solutions to a range of issues including:

• acquisitions and disposals of assets in all property classes, including commercial, retail, industrial, residential and hotels;
• commercial, industrial and retail leasing and lease negotiation;
• advising in relation to residential developments and major commercial, industrial and retail developments;
• joint venture, project management, property and asset management negotiations and documentation;
• due diligence reporting, including planning and use issues;
• general property issues such as subdivisions, easements, enforcement of securities and financing, land tax and duty; and
• property-related dispute resolution.

Planning & Environment

Many of our clients are required to comply with detailed and complex planning, heritage and environmental regulations. We work closely with our clients to ensure that regulations are enforced or complied with in the most efficient and commercially focused way.

Our experience includes:

• development, assessment and application of planning scheme standards in relation to heritage, biodiversity and subdivisions;
• representation at mediation and appeals before planning tribunals and the Supreme Court;
• prosecution and enforcement proceedings concerning breaches of planning schemes;
• planning scheme amendments;
• guidance and advice on applications to amend sealed plans; and
• representation and advice on environmental matters.

 Finance and Securities

Our clients include lenders such as Rabobank Australia Limited, Rural Bank and Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited, where we have a particular expertise in the agribusiness sector. We work closely with our clients in respect to the preparation of Mortgages, General Security Agreements, Specific Security Agreements, Water Mortgages, Right of Entries, Guarantees and Mortgage of Leases.

Construction

Our construction lawyers are an experienced specialist group focused on all the legal aspects of construction and infrastructure projects.

We can assist from the genesis of a construction and infrastructure project through to its conclusion. We advise in relation to project and risk management, tendering, probity, contract drafting and negotiation, contract management and administration, work health and safety and dispute resolution.

We act for principals, developers, contractors and suppliers and provide advice to allied professions such as consultant architects and engineers throughout Australia.

Experience

Examples of our team’s property and planning experience include:

• acting for ASX listed funds with respect to acquisitions, retail leasing and sales of shopping centres in Tasmania, Victoria, NSW and Queensland;
• acting for Citta Property Group in relation to Redevelopment of Hobart Parliament Square;
• acting for the University of Tasmania in the development of a new 430 bed accommodation in the Hobart CBD;
• acting for Centacare Evolve’s acquisition and management of a 1,000 property community housing portfolio from the Tasmanian State Government;
• acting for ASX listed companies in respect of their commercial, industrial and retail leasing transactions;
• acting for a developer in an application to the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal (RMPAT) for a 600 lot subdivision;
• acting for an unlisted property fund in an appeal to RMPAT and Supreme Court against a heritage listing of a major CBD office building;
• acting for a shopping centre owner in respect of a development refusal by the local Council in an appeal to RMPAT and to the Supreme Court;
• acting for a major tourism operator in respect of an objection to a development approval to RMPAT; and
• acting for principals and contractors in relation to infrastructure projects (e.g. runway overlays, bridge upgrades, dam enlargements, water and wastewater schemes, water metering projects, road and bridge construction).

CONTACT OUR TEAM

For advice on all property and planning issues please contact: