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planners specialising in environmentally sensitive land

Testimonials

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.”

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!

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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."

Waterfront owner

"You’re good at what you do."

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."

Pre-purchase uncertainty [...]

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

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"

CC resident, national [...]

"You really know what you are talking about, and I deal with many Councils for our company’s properties"

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."

A builder and separately an [...]

"We love the way the newsletter keeps us informed"

Waterfront owner seeking 2 [...]

"You really know what you are doing"

Application for a relocated [...]

"Thanks."

Central Coast Real Estate [...]

"Awesome."

Central Coast subdivider

"Thanks Helen for the information. You are certainly organised."

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"

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."

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/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."

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)."

Contribution requested for [...]

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

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."

Central Coast client [...]

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

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."

Subscriber

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

Client

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

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."

Hawkesbury client proposing [...]

Great result!!!! Well done!!!

Long-term Central Coast [...]

Would you stand for the Board?

Central Coast client

Consummate professional

New Central Coast owners of [...]

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

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."

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 owners [...]

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

Central Coast tradesperson

"Very impressive ...." Kindest Regards

Central Coast business person [...]

"Thanks again for a great, concise report."

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 ..."

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!"

Sydney client looking to buy [...]

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

Central Coast client with [...]

"Excellent thanks very much Helen!"

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."

Central Coast Business

"Many thanks for lodging the S4.55 application in such a short time frame and I am very impressed with your explanation in the letter which covers everything.

The 2 piece of good news is all because of you and thanks again for your assistance."

Central Coast Lawyer

Thanks. Great report.

Central Coast Client (retail [...]

I trust you.

Architect for off-grid house [...]

Architect for off-grid house at Lower Portland

You have done a great job.

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.

Central Coast activist for [...]

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

Pittwater waterfront client

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

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."

New Central Coast Corporate [...]

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

Former Central Coast real [...]

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

Sydney-based investor facing [...]

"Thank you, wise counsel"

Experienced multi-region [...]

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

Central Coast landowner with [...]

"I really appreciate your support and level-headed translation of my concerns into a clear, formal and factual presentation …"

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 planning [...]

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

Central Coast client on [...]

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

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.

Central Coast waterfront [...]

Thank you so much for the patience in the matter. You're excellent at this process.

Contact Us

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Recent Approvals and Projects

  • Planning advice on rural property being breached with multiple illegal structures, with reference to “existing use rights”
  • CDC for residential lift
  • Planning Proposal and preDA applications for multi-lot subdivision on land at Tuggerawong constrained by flooding, bushfire, biodiversity values, threatened species, sea level rise and climate change, with offer of Voluntary Planning Agreement to provide public benefit
  • Planning advice on redevelopment of multi-storey commercial building
  • Following pre-purchase advice, consent for waterfront house (water access only, bushfire, flooding, essentially off-grid)
  • Planning advice about biodiverse-mapped area on industrial land with building Consent
  • Pre-purchase advice on rural residential land involving demolition/rebuilding
  • Planning advice after threatened breach for unapproved secondary dwelling
  • Threatened Council breach rectified for unapproved, occupied secondary dwelling (structure and land use)
  • Witness for defendant, Land & Environment Court rural residential matter
  • Objection to non-compliant residential flat building (view loss to ocean)
  • Advise 2 clients during search for development sites, for efficiency
  • Change of use – retail with technical difficulties due to food preparation consequences (air quality and acoustics); unapproved commercial sign
  • Advice on flood-affected land (another’s DA for the land effectively refused)
  • Threatened breach against homeowner for unapproved extra dwellings: applications lodged
  • Pre-construction advice, residential
  • Threatened breach against occupant for adding 4 unapproved structures: application
  • During breach and application process, advise client on doubtful offer by a Councillor
  • 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
  • Threatened breach against homeowner for adding unapproved balcony roof (approved)
  • 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
  • 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:  Certificate received
  • Two waterfront developments involving Crown Lands, Fisheries and Maritime as well as Council
  • DA for industrial building with 6 warehouses, 23 storage units with site constraints; Consent received
  • Subdivision potential at Mooney Mooney
  • Pre-purchase site report for wetland, flood-prone site with 2 zones
  • Pre-DA advice about rural activities that need approval, are exempt from approval or are complying development
  • Advice including refutation of Council claims about non-compliance, and advice about what is actually required (unapproved works)
  • Report on urban 2 lot subdivision
  • Objection from residential flat building against northern neighbour’s non-compliant proposal for residential flat building
  • Modular building added to non-profit’s residential centre: approved
  • Extensive advice about floodwaters arising for a neighbour’s (illegal, redirected flow)
  • Pre-purchase advice on development potential of bushland waterfront lot
  • Pre-purchase advice on development potential of multi-Title, extensive bushland, tourism and equine property with flooding, bushfire and unapproved structure(s)
  • Pre-purchase advice on commercial premises
  • Development potential of steep suburban lot close to beach
  • Pre-purchase advice on rural lot with multiple unapproved buildings and “granny flat”
  • Subdivision proposals (2 Councils)
  • Rural property with commercial and tourism potential
  • DA for major soft and hard landscaping project on rural residential property: Consent received
  • Extensive advice about purchase of adjacent residential lot, demolition of cottage, tree removal, potential for bulky new house
  • Construction Certificate stage for major landscaping with pool
  • Pre-development advice re multiple dwellings (1 existing now not approved)
  • Advice about proposed tiny home and unapproved shed conversion, rural
  • Breached home owner – unapproved major renovations, bushfire threat
  • CDC issued for lift installation into existing semi-detached dwelling
  • Advice on 2 rural residential properties, both pre-purchase, to clarify permissibility of client’s objectives
  • Assist with breach notice on rural residential property, leading to DA for house renovations, plus possible demolition/rebuild
  • Advice on approvable land use in industrial building
  • Resubdivision proposal (suburban)
  • Advice when owners built 2 unapproved structures as well as approved alterations; certifier correctly would not sign off
  • Rural residential: lengthy advice re illegal conversion of structure to avoid breach notice
  • Advice on tiny home for day use at health facility
  • Subdivision of strata plan to separate 1 Torrens Title lot
  • Advice when certifier correctly refused to sign off on an additional unapproved room and additional footprint for house
  • Assistance with breach due to 2 unapproved dwellings on rural residential property
  • Assistance with rural residential owner with noise complaint and unapproved building with unapproved land use
  • Advice on height limitations for medium density site near Sydney airport (3 limitations apply)
  • Site report on very large suburban lot with physical constraints re subdivision and development potential
  • Site report re dual occupancy potential
  • Review of non-compliant architectural design for lakefront house replacement
  • Site report with future DA for industrial land uses on bushfire-affected bushland lot
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