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Testimonials

New Central Coast Corporate [...]

"I am so glad we spoke. I feel we are now in safe hands for a difficult project."

Central Coast new waterfront [...]

"We are glad to be back on track, look forward to seeing this through, and are grateful to have you on the team."

Central Coast property owners [...]

"I appreciated your involvement. ... You came highly recommended and we realize why."

Long-term Central Coast [...]

Would you stand for the Board?

Property protection

“Helen, this is fantastic thank you. Please do submit to Council, and I would be delighted if you would continue to monitor the situation.”

Satisfactory resolution

“May I take this opportunity to thank you for involvement in this complicated matter which is now at a conclusion. There is no doubt that your assistance has been of immense help.”

Central Coast waterfront [...]

"Thank you so much for your work. ... You have been a blessing to us and we could not have done this without you. ... [We] ... have always believed in finding the most skilled specialists for each project, and through [a local real estate agent] we found you. You led us along this journey, told us how to connect and who to connect to and through listening to your advice we reached our goal today ..."

Central Coast client on [...]

"Thank you again for such prompt service and high quality work. We will definitely be in touch soon to discuss the next steps"

Approval despite objection

“It sounds like we are heading towards a fantastic result” “Thanks again Helen on assisting us hitting a major milestone – DA approval.”

New Central Coast owners of [...]

"We have total faith in your work and service."

Central Coast Client (retail [...]

I trust you.

Central Coast client [...]

"Thank you so much Helen for bringing this to a positive conclusion. ... If you ever require a reference for your outstanding work I am very happy to provide it."

Central Coast client (lapsing [...]

"I can't thank you enough for the huge effort you personally put into achieving the successful outcome in the last two weeks. It was stressful for me but from the first time I spoke with you I knew I was in the most capable of hands. Your professionalism and never say die attitude is a very calming influence on your clients and I look forward to referring other people to your consultancy."

A builder and separately an [...]

"We love the way the newsletter keeps us informed"

Sydney client looking to buy [...]

"... Your report was very useful in defining the risks and we sought this [extra specialist] ... advice to clarify things."

Another satisfied client [...]

"thank you very much Helen for meeting with us in Sydney and for all the great work you’ve done so far. You’ve put us in a strong negotiating position with our neighbour."

Central Coast client on [...]

What a superstar you are! …  [I] profess my sincere thanks

Central Coast client

Consummate professional

Lower Portland off-grid house [...]

Lower Portland off-grid house developer (with steep land, Flame Zone, Koalas, flooding, incorrectly claimed EEC)

Brilliant response.  Brilliant.  … solid, watertight, fair but firm.

Subscriber

"A phenomenal job done with this newsletter, and right up to date with the Federal Budget."

Central Coast client, selling [...]

"Thank you for your knowledge, focus and clear direction: you gave us confidence to stick with the process and do what it took to achieve our sale."

(Update...) "Thank you again for your kind assistance. Yes, we settled on ... We’re relieved, because it was such a drawn out stressful experience and now we can move on."

Central Coast business person [...]

"Thanks again for a great, concise report."

Contribution requested for [...]

"Thanks so much Helen. You're a champion."

Subdivision after a refusal

“I never thought we’d get it approved, but you persisted with both the staff and Councillors and we got there. Thank you.” The land was immediately sold at a big profit with the Development Consent!

Central Coast tradesperson

"Very impressive ...." Kindest Regards

Subdivision battle

“You kept the Council staff honest by not letting them get away with a sloppy assessment that wasn’t fair and that had errors of fact. Then you tackled the Councillors! Well done.”

Experienced multi-region [...]

"Great work …[on] this [>$6m] project; it is much appreciated and I look forward to working with you further"

Central Coast luminary

Thanks Helen for your terrific work put into the newsletter. The newsletter has contributed greatly to defining the path to better urban and ecological planning on the Central Coast and beyond.

Dual Occ. Consent

“Thank you for getting us where we are today … approval. We are very appreciative of this and we know we probably wouldn’t have got there without your skill and expertise.”

Experienced multi-region [...]

"... You have patiently and skillfully sent info on the Central Coast Property issues for years, thank you.

You provide a great service to the area .... and for free!"

Application for a relocated [...]

"Thanks."

Pittwater waterfront client

"I have read your report. It's fabulously forensic. Thank you.."

Hawkesbury client proposing [...]

Great result!!!! Well done!!!

Rezone then subdivide

“You protected our interests throughout. … Tactically skilful and technically knowledgeable, and you know the system. We relied on your skills and knowledge and we’ve obtained the desired result.”

Sydney/Central Coast Client

"This is such great news! Thank you so much to Helen for the hard work and the quality of the submission and follow through that I have no doubt significantly contributed ... Collaborating made such a difference."

Waterfront owner

"You’re good at what you do."

Central Coast waterfront [...]

"Thank you for your expertise in helping us to understand the workings of the Central Coast Council and your advice on the various options open to us."

Pre-purchase uncertainty [...]

"you've overachieved, we can buy it now" "you have been an amazing help."

Building a portfolio

“You gave me strategic advice that I hadn’t heard in any of the investment seminars I’d paid good money for. It was well worth while having a couple of planning sessions with you.”

Privacy protection

“You did a fine job for us and we are most grateful to you for your efforts. We would happily recommend you to other interested parties.”

Apparent breach by a [...]

"Once again I can’t thank you enough for your interest in this situation. It is certainly very distressing (and could have become very expensive)."

Central Coast developer ($6m [...]

"Thank you Helen for your efficiency: you promised the short-notice reports by c.o.b. today and they arrived during the morning, full of information."

Waterfront owners with [...]

"...we do appreciate all you have and are doing for us re this situation. It has not been an easy task for you, and your preparation for Tuesday's site meeting was great, as has been all your other work."

Central Coast client [...]

"A quick email of thanks for your time today. You certainly do know your stuff!"

Central Coast activist for [...]

"Once again a well structured Newsletter and important for pulling urban planners and public interest groups together."

Central Coast Lawyer

Thanks. Great report.

Central Coast client with [...]

"Excellent thanks very much Helen!"

Central Coast Real Estate [...]

"Awesome."

Central Coast planning [...]

A most comprehensive newsletter.  Professional and well balanced.  Your efforts are most appreciated.  The community benefits.

Commercial site search

“Even if it was uncomfortable news for us, you told it like it is, so we could make our own decisions about taking the risk or walking away. You saved us money by avoiding a big mistake.”

Central Coast acreage owner

“You have done it! ... (Council) said you hit the nail on the head.” (‘Challenging’ neighbours... Threatened Council breach action to cease.)

Central Coast property owner [...]

(Response to us “regularising” the works over 2 years:)   "I cannot believe this is over! Thank you for your guidance."

Central Coast client [...]

"You gave us a lot to think about and the background research and information was really helpful. You have a thorough knowledge of all the planning and legal requirements, and are very professional"

Central Coast client [...]

"Helen, thanks again, you were the best thing to come out of this whole episode I really appreciate what you did for us."

Former Central Coast real [...]

"GREAT newsletter again. You have so much good info in all sections of the newsletter.."

Sydney acreage buyers

"Your guidance about where to look, and what to look for, really crystallised our thinking. We are very happy with the waterfront 30 acres we have just bought."

Waterfront owner seeking 2 [...]

"You really know what you are doing"

Client

"We like your work on our subdivision. Would you work on another one for us, elsewhere?"

Sydney/Central Coast Client

"Helen – thanks very much for your email and all your hard work. It’s a tremendous result. I agree with you that working together ... gave us much leverage!"

Sydney-based investor facing [...]

"Thank you, wise counsel"

Contact Us

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  • Application for industrial building (new owners)
  • Applications for replacement and new structures, large rural property
  • Pre-purchase advice on subdivision and dual occupancy potential (various pathways to exemption, complying development and/or approval)
  • Pre-construction advice, residential
  • Planning Proposal application preparation for multi-lot subdivision on constrained land at Tuggerawong
  • Large new shed on rural property (not exempt development)
  • Pre-purchase site report for bushland site (Aboriginal heritage)
  • Pre-listing advice about development potential of bushland site near coast
  • Pre-purchase site report for rural residential property with unapproved buildings
  • Advice on need for approval (or not) of small commercial structure
  • Submission against amended proposal which originally had Court approval
  • Threatened breach against homeowner for adding unapproved balcony roof: application
  • Pre-purchase advice about development potential of vacant bushland with various environmental values/risks (2 different sites)
  • Threatened breach against occupant for adding 4 unapproved structures: application
  • Post-purchase advice about industrial building usage: application
  • Threatened breach against occupant for adding unapproved secondary dwelling and occupying it: applications
  • Pre-sale advice about development potential of vacant bushland lot
  • Advice on conversion of industrial building to other uses
  • Unapproved industrial land use in existing building: advice on rectification for new lessee
  • Proposal to install tiny home: Opinion - exempt from approval
  • Subdivision proposal: Opinion
  • Application when owner built an unapproved structure as well as an approved structure, certifier correctly would not sign off
  • Advice on submission against a neighbour’s commercial development proposal which is contrary to the person’s social media claims
  • Threatened breach against homeowner for unapproved hard landscaping: applications lodged
  • Threatened breach against homeowner for unapproved jetty: applications lodged
  • Threatened breach against homeowner for unapproved extra dwellings: applications lodged
  • Forthcoming DA for dual occupancy on constrained but large lot with land loss due to highway widening
  • Application lodged DA for another doggy day care on rural land
  • Threatened breach of rural home owner – unapproved house, unapproved cottage, unapproved pond/pool
  • Two waterfront developments involving Crown Lands, Fisheries and Maritime as well as Council
  • Following pre-purchase advice, DA lodged for waterfront house (water access only, bushfire, flooding, essentially off-grid)
This record of projects and current applications gives you confidence in calling Dr. Helen Monks at Highlight Consulting, or referring us to your clients for good quality problem solving in the property industry.
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