Insights Library

Marinus Link Project in Victoria: A Comprehensive Guide for Affected Landowners

Sebastian Greenway & Jonathan Hourigan

Important Changes to Planning Compensation Claims (Financial Loss) Under the Planning and Environment Act 1987

Matthew Susic & Sebastian Greenway

Holiday Home Owners Beware! Vacant Residential Land Tax Notifications due 15 January 2025

As we near the end of the year, many Victorians will be planning on visiting…

Giancarlo Romano & Sarah Pereira

INDUSTRY ALERT: Key implications arising from the recent Consumer and Planning Legislation Amendment (Housing Statement Reform) Bill 2024

Eliza Minney & Chris Boocock

Draft Legislation Revealed – Off The Plan Stamp Duty Concessions Reintroduced for 12 Months (Updated 7.11.24)

The Victorian Premier has announced the immediate introduction of extensive Off-The-Plan Stamp duty concessions under…

Giancarlo Romano & Maliq Maideen

VNI West Project’s New Alignment Released: What It Means for Affected Landowners

Sebastian Greenway & Jonathan Hourigan

Victoria Government 10-Year Development Pipeline For Melbourne’s Greenfields: What Developers Need To Know

The Victorian Government has announced its 10-year plan for identified greenfield redevelopment sites in Melbourne,…

Eliza Minney & Chris Boocock

Victoria’s New Developer Contributions Framework – What Developers Need to Know

Joel Snyder & Jonathan Hourigan

Off The Plan Stamp Duty Concessions Expanded for 12 Months

With the draft legislation revealed this article has now been updated and can be found…

Giancarlo Romano & Maliq Maideen

Navigating the Complexities of Drainage Schemes and Asset Delivery

Joel Snyder & Jonathan Hourigan

Childcare Sector Shows Strength in Adversity

Giancarlo Romano & Maliq Maideen

Update: Municipal councils cannot impose fees for checking and supervising landscape plans because they are not engineering plans. Important learnings from the decision of the Tribunal in AV Jennings Properties Ltd v Whittlesea CC [2024] VCAT 836

Chris Boocock & Joel Snyder

Are Councils Highway Robbers in the Application of Development Contributions Plans?

I have spent over a decade working with developers in growth areas where there is…

Joel Snyder

“Protecting” Melbourne’s Green Wedges and Agricultural Land Action Plan

Edward Mahony

Victoria: The State of Distress

  Valued client, We cannot ignore the headwinds in the property industry.  Costs continue to…

Best Hooper

Celebrating Internal Promotions at Best Hooper Lawyers

Best Hooper

The Tribunal’s stance on the Victoria’s Housing Statement

In the recent decision 25-29 Keilor Road Essendon Pty Ltd v Moonee Valley CC [2024]…

Eli Morrison & Romy Davidov

New Commercial and Industrial Property Tax Commencing 1 July 2024

Maliq Maideen

Further Amendments to VRLT and Land Tax following State Budget

State Parliament has introduced the State Taxation Acts Amendment Bill 2024, proposing several changes to…

Giancarlo Romano & Maliq Maideen

Important Amendments to GAIC and Section 35 Plans

Joel Snyder & Jonathan Hourigan

Victoria to NSW Interconnector West (VNI West)

Sebastian Greenway & Jonathan Hourigan

Best Hooper recognised in Best Lawyers in Australia Awards

Best Hooper

Best Hooper Tops Doyle’s Guide (Again!)

Congratulations to the entire Best Hooper team on being recognised (again) as a First Tier…

Best Hooper

Development in proximity to Major Hazard Facilities: an update on how the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal is handling objections from WorkSafe Victoria

Chris Boocock & Eliza Minney

One to watch: Build over easement applications and Melbourne Water

Best Hooper’s Planning Team is receiving a significant number of enquiries from clients, at the…

Chris Boocock & Eliza Minney

A Guide to Land Tax Objections

Lauren Cullen

Western Renewables Link

Overview – About Western Renewables Link The Western Renewables Link (Project) is a proposed new…

Sebastian Greenway & Jonathan Hourigan

Amendment VC254 – Major changes to existing use rights under Clause 63.11

Eliza Minney & Emily Marson

Amendments to state property taxes (LAND TAX, WGT AND VRT)

After its surprising introduction as a Bill in October last year, the State Taxation Acts…

Giancarlo Romano & Maliq Maideen

The Minister confirms the VPA’s priorities for 2023/24 to deliver housing and jobs

Eliza Minney & Jonathan Hourigan

Latest VCAT decision re. the codification of the ResCode standards following Amendment VC243 – is there a preference for D’Andrea decision?

John Cicero & Chris Boocock

The importance of CHMP being approved prior to a statutory authorisation

Edward Mahony

View Sharing Principles

Despite the maxim that there is “no legal right to a view,” many Planning Schemes…

Andrew Iser & Eliza Minney

Construction, Finance and Project Advisory with leading lawyer Daniel Faigen joining Best Hooper

Daniel Faigen

Recent VCAT decision takes a different view re. the codification of the ResCode standards following Amendment VC243

There now appears to be two decisions of the Tribunal which take different views when…

Eliza Minney & Chris Boocock

Major Hazard Facilities and the relevance of WorkSafe Guidance Note 2022

John Cicero & Edward Mahony

Codification of ResCode Standards

In the first reported decision since the gazettal of Amendment VC243 (Amendment), VCAT has provided…

Emily Marson

Amendment Vc243 | Further Updates Following The Victorian Government’s Housing Statement

Chris Boocock & Eliza Minney

Victorian Government’s Housing Statement – Key changes and what we know so far

After months of speculation, the State Government has released the “Victoria’s Housing Statement” (VHS) seeking…

Eliza Minney & Edward Mahony

Time Limits Matter

Best Hooper

What is the relevance of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (the Charter) to applications for review in the planning jurisdiction?

Chris Boocock & Dominic Scally

Roof Terraces – An Opportunity for Communal Open Space for Apartment Developments

Eli Morrison & Dominic Scally

Best Hooper Lawyers continues growth with introduction of two new Principal Lawyers

Best Hooper Lawyers is delighted to announce the continued expansion of its property development expertise…

Best Hooper

Time of Council ‘decision’ in a planning permit application

Edward Mahony

Review of Valuation of Land for Properties encumbered by Heritage Overlays.

Review of Valuation of Land for Properties encumbered by Heritage Overlays.   In the recent decision…

Joel Snyder & Lauren Cullen

Celebrating Internal Promotions at Best Hooper Lawyers

Best Hooper

Giancarlo Romano nominated again for “Real Estate Partner of the Year 2023”

We are excited to announce that Giancarlo Romano, our Principal Lawyer and Head of the…

Best Hooper

Sebastian Greenway joins Best Hooper 2023

Best Hooper

Industry Update – Changes to Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution and Section 35 Plans

* Please note there have been Further changes to GAIC and the details can be…

Joel Snyder & Jonathan Hourigan

The Protection Works ‘Cheat Sheet’

Robert McKay & Sengul Gur

Proceed with Caution – 15 Year exemption from the Retail Leases Act 2003 (Vic)

Giancarlo Romano

Best Hooper recognised in Best Lawyers in Australia Awards

Best Hooper

Best Hooper Tops Doyle’s Guide Again

Congratulations to our team on being recognised as a First Tier Town Planning and Development…

Best Hooper

Overlooking – VCAT Decision Confirms the Correct Interpretation of Standard A15

Andrew Iser

In person listings unlikely to be varied – learnings from the Tribunal

In person listings unlikely to be varied – learnings from the Tribunal in Leon Park…

Eliza Minney & Chris Boocock

Update on Melbourne Airport Rail Link

Jonathan Hourigan & Lauren Cullen

Failure Appeals – Beware

This article provides commentary on the recent decision by the Deputy President in Sharma v…

Edward Mahony

Amendments to State Taxes

Giancarlo Romano

Two strikes and you’re out

Wood v East Gippsland SC [2022] VCAT 651 – Striking Out Objector Applications for Review…

Andrew Iser

VCAT introduce the Fast Track List

Edward Mahony

Giancarlo Romano shortlisted in five Categories including “Partner of the Year” across the Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year Awards and the Australian Law Awards 2022.

Giancarlo Romano

Ambit of discretion limited to permit trigger

Edward Mahony

Existing Use Rights and Licensed Premises

In the recent decision of Kevak Hotels Pty Ltd v Darebin CC [2022] VCAT 318…

Emily Marson

“The death of transformation” – The Supreme Court interpretation of what can be considered under an application to amend a planning permit

Eliza Minney & Edward Mahony

Cautionary Tale – Lodging appeals within time and recent line of decisions on late objector appeals

Cautionary tale – lodging appeals within time and recent line of decisions on late objector…

Eliza Minney

Best Hooper Top Doyle’s Guide

Best Hooper

Green Gold Energy v Minister of Planning – Renewable Energy Facilities in Declared Irrigation Districts

John Cicero and Edward Mahony of our office recently successfully represented the Permit Applicant in…

Edward Mahony

Best Hooper is on the move in January 2022

Best Hooper

Meet our Land Development and Compulsory Acquisitions Team

Best Hooper is excited to announce the expansion of our Land Development and Compulsory Acquisitions…

Best Hooper

Owners Corporations and Other Acts Amendment Act 2021

Best Hooper

Green light to issue domestic building disputes in the County Court instead of VCAT

Andy Vicendese

Windfall Gains Tax – Update

Joel Snyder

Leasing Update: Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme Reintroduced for Victorian Businesses

On 5 August 2021, the Victorian Government passed legislation that officially enabled the reinstatement (and…

Giancarlo Romano

Subdivision of Land in Two Zones

Edward Mahony

Major Amendments to Stamp Duty and Land Tax in Victoria: The winners and losers

The Victorian budget delivered on 20th May 2021 proposed some highly controversial and almost immediate…

Giancarlo Romano

Case Update: Application and Drafting of Development Contribution Plans

Best Hooper

Case Update: Scope of Council Powers in relation to Compulsory Acquisition

Manor Central Nominees Pty Ltd v Wyndham City Council [2021] VSC 92 This case concerns…

Best Hooper

Getting to Know Excess (Hiatus) Land

Joel Snyder

VCAT Update – A return to face to face hearings

Eliza Minney, Senior Associate, of our office was part of a small group of industry…

Eliza Minney

Best Hooper: The Next Generation

Joel Snyder & Romy Davidov

The Dangers of Service by Post

Robert McKay

BEST Lawyers recognises BEST Hooper Lawyers

Best Hooper

Compensation for Planning Blights – Amendments to Part 5 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987

In March 2021, Royal Assent was given for amendments to the Planning and Environment Act 1987 by the introduction…

Joel Snyder

Best Hooper recognised again as First Tier Planning & Development Law Firm

Best Hooper

Amendment GC172- policy neutral or material impact?

Recently, the Minister introduced Planning Scheme Amendment GC172 into a number of planning schemes across…

Edward Mahony

Childcare Centres: Recession Proof Essential Services

Giancarlo Romano

Roll out of Stage One of the Suburban Rail Loop

As part of the State Government’s “Victoria’s Big Build”, the Suburban Rail Loop (the Loop)…

Joel Snyder

Clause 52.18 – Planning exemptions to assist in hospitality recovery

Emily Marson

Leasing Update: Extension of Relief – and some Surprises

A new Bill was introduced on 2nd September 2020 titled the COVID-19 Commercial and Residential…

Giancarlo Romano

HomeBuilder Scheme – Victorian Guidelines Announced

Giancarlo Romano

Giancarlo Romano, our newest Principal Lawyer

Best Hooper

New VCAT Practice Notice PNPE9 – Amendment of Plans and Applications

Emily Marson

Construction to Help us Re-Build – HomeBuilder Scheme Announced

Some further well received news for our developer and builder community to combat the uncertainty…

Giancarlo Romano

Virtual Witnessing and Electronic Documents

Best Hooper

Roll Out of North East Link Acquisitions Commences

The Department of Transport has commenced the acquisition process for land affected by the North…

Emily Marson

Maximising the Development Potential of Land

Best Hooper

COVID-19 – A little bit of positivity goes a long way

As featured on Urban.com.au on 20 May 2020 view article Us lawyers, whether we like…

Giancarlo Romano

VCAT Update from Deputy President Bisucci – 19 May 2020

Eliza Minney

Amendments to Corporations Act in Response to COVID-19

On Tuesday 5 May 2020, the Treasurer announced changes to the Corporations Act 2001 and…

Best Hooper

The Best Hooper Version of “Business as Usual”

Joel Snyder

Leasing Update: New Regulations Place Onus on Tenants

Giancarlo Romano

Update on VCAT Hearings

Eliza Minney

Land Tax Relief Legislated for Victorians

On 28 April 2020, the Victorian Parliament enacted the State Taxation Acts Amendment (Relief Measures)…

Giancarlo Romano

Leases Update: Omnibus Bill – Regulations Still to Come

Giancarlo Romano

Planning and Development Update: Omnibus Bill

The Victorian Parliament passed the COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) Bill 2020 (Bill) today. The Bill…

Best Hooper

APDA Insights Series: Live Interview with John Cicero

Best Hooper

Leasing Update: “Mandatory Code of Conduct” Announced for Commercial Tenancy Relief

On 7 April 2020, the Prime Minister announced a ‘Mandatory Code of Conduct’ approved by…

Giancarlo Romano

Our new normal

John Cicero

COVID-19 – Practical Solutions for landlords and tenants (Part 3)

The COVID-19 health crisis has escalated quickly into an unprecedented economic crisis. Government intervention is…

Giancarlo Romano

COVID-19 – Government Assistance Overview for landlords and tenants (Part 2)

Giancarlo Romano

COVID-19 Leasing Trilogy – a legal overview for landlords and tenants (Part 1)

Giancarlo Romano & Robert McKay

A Letter to Our Developer Community

Best Hooper

10 consecutive years as a first tier leading Town Planning and Development Law Firm

The prestigious Doyle’s Guide 2020 was released today and we are proud to announce that…

Best Hooper

Visitor car parking the PPTN and the ghost of Benedettis case

Dominic Scally

Have Water Authorities Gone Too Far?

As we understand it, there is a long-standing practice of water authorities entering private land…

Joel Snyder

Best Hooper Offering Free Legal Services to Victorian Community Groups for those affected by the bushfires

Best Hooper

UDIA Life Member Award

The Best Hooper team are proud to announce that Principal, John Cicero has been made…

Best Hooper

Introduction of Solar Energy Facility guidelines

Edward Mahony

Have we hit bottom of the market – population and building approvals projections?

The Urban Design Institute of Australia (“UDIA”) residential development index yearly update research 2019 was…

Robert McKay
What is a Garden?

Garden area requirement revisited

Edward Mahony

Best Hooper recognised as a First Tier Planning and Environment Firm and five lawyers recognised in The Doyle’s Guide 2019

Best Hooper

Best Lawyers in Australia 2020 Edition – Ian Pitt QC Wins prestigious Lawyer of the Year Award

Best Hooper

The Plunkett Decision – How it affects loss on sale claims

Known as a “planning blight”, the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (the Act) has long…

Joel Snyder

Alkero Reconsidered – The latest development in ‘Jezmac’

Eliza Minney

The Roll-Out of Reformed Infrastructure Contributions Plan

The Infrastructure Contributions Plan (ICP) system was reformed by the ascent of the Planning and Environment…

Joel Snyder

New regulations for owners corporations

Joel Snyder

VCAT Decision Small Lot Exemption Aboriginal Heritage Regulations

The Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2018 (“AH Regs”) commenced on 23 May 2018. The Tribunal in…

Best Hooper

Ground level – what is natural?

Edward Mahony

Garden Area application – per lot or planning unit?

This was considered in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (‘VCAT’) decision of Sargentson v…

Edward Mahony

A recent warning about bearing the risk of DCP Infrastructure Projects

John Cicero

Integrated Decision Making – A Timely Reminder

Best Hooper

Planning permits and applications may be eligible for reduced car parking

Edward Mahony

AIG forum w Hon. Matthew Guy MP and Mr. John Cicero

Best Hooper Principal, John Cicero was part of Panel at the Advanced Investors Group ‘Developer…

Edward Mahony

Amended Garden Area Requirement – Clarity or Further Confusion?

Emily Marson

Garden area requirement Tribunal decisions, clarity or confusion?

In the recently published decisions of Sargentson v Campaspe SC (Red Dot) [2018] VCAT 7110…

Emily Marson

Best Hooper recognised as Best Lawyers in Australia 2019 Edition

Best Hooper

Best Hooper recognised in The Doyle’s Guide 2018

The Doyle’s Guide 2018 Victorian Planning & Environment Law Rankings have just been announced.  Best…

Best Hooper

A Slice of Heaven | The Development Potential of Air Rights in Victoria

Joel Snyder

Rose Maina now Senior Associate at Best Hooper

Best Hooper is pleased to announce the successful promotion of Rose Maina to Senior Associate…

Best Hooper
What is a Garden?

What is a Garden?

John Cicero

Due Diligence – How Much is Enough?

Best Hooper

Electronic conveyancing; a no-brainer for property developers

Giancarlo Romano

How healthy is our Victorian residential development industry?

Together with the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA), Ernst and Young (EY) has presented…

Best Hooper

Is it more than just a simple fencing dispute?

Best Hooper

Planning scheme amendments to remove/vary restrictive covenants

There are four principal ways to remove/vary covenants in Victoria: By application to the Supreme…

Edward Mahony

Best Hooper lawyers top Doyle’s Guide 2017

Best Hooper

Report and Consent’ under the building regulations – What it is, and what it isn’t

Report and Consent – What it is: The Building Interim Regulations 2017 (Vic) and its…

Best Hooper

Good Design gets green light for Seaford Local

Dominic Scally

Landowners – Know your rights

As the boundaries of urban Melbourne continue to expand, there’s an increasing demand for new…

Joel Snyder

Why You Should Want a Lawyer (and Not a Robot)

Best Hooper

Recognised In The Best Lawyers List

Best Hooper

Trespass by Tower Crane

Best Hooper

VCAT Decision on the Transitional Provisions in Reformed Residential Zones

The industry has been grappling with the various changes that have been made to the…

Tania Cincotta

Development Requires Experience and Passion

John Cicero

Title Insurance Holds the key for Homeowners and Buyers

If you’re a current homeowner, selling a property or developing land, there is a raft…

Giancarlo Romano

‘Better Apartment Design Guidelines’ The Importance of Dates

Best Hooper

Melbourne’s Population Set To Soar

Melbourne is Australia’s fastest growing city and predictions indicate its population could soar to 7…

Dominic Scally

Avoid a Dispute by doing a little digging

Best Hooper

Best Hooper Launches New Property Transaction Services Division

Best Hooper’s new Property Transaction Services division launched last month, with a fresh, holistic approach…

Giancarlo Romano

Recent Changes To The Victorian State Government’s Planning Provisions

Best Hooper

The State Government’s Changes To Residential Zones

Emily Marson

Council Reform Key to Unlock Renewal Development Sites

John Cicero

Highly contested case facing Gardiners Creek in Glen Iris

The VCAT hearing approved of a development of the land at 1559 – 1567 High…

Romy Davidov

When Mistakes Happen

Best Hooper

Tribunal’s Latest Decision on the Meaning of Natural Ground Level

Faversham Mews Pty Ltd V Boroondara CC [2016] VCAT 1954 (“Faversham Mews”) This case commenced…

Best Hooper

Best Hooper Joins Australia Post’s Land Title Verification of Identity (VOI) Service

Emily Marson

The Infrastructure Contributions Plan and Melbourne’s Greenfield Growth Areas

We all know that development contributions help fund vital infrastructure in key growth areas of…

John Cicero

New Regime For Appointing Building Surveyors In Victoria

Best Hooper

VCAT Decision Favours Laneway Development

The Moonee Valley City Council’s refusal to grant a planning permit for a residential development…

Best Hooper

Legislative Changes to the Application of GAIC OCT 2016

John Cicero

Get in Touch

Fill in the details to help us answer your query and booking enquiries promptly.