Environmental planning and development

ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

The Environmental Planning & Development Committee monitors all matters related to environmental planning and development law and represents the Law Society and its members on policy and practice issues arising from it. Our priorities include:

  • Developing and commenting on law reform and legal policy proposals (including preparing submissions, and liaising with government and other stakeholders in this process)
  • Educating the legal profession about changes to the law and providing guidance on practice and other issues
  • Exchanging information about issues arising in legal practice (such as recent case law) that may indicate a legal policy issue or concern

Learn more about committees
Current committee members
How to join a committee

Recent policy submissions

Letter to Portfolio Committee No 4 – Inquiry into the impact of Renewable Energy Zones on rural and regional communities and industries in NSW – 3 February 2025

Letter to NSW Parliamentary Inquiry - Review into the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 and the Residential Apartment Buildings (Compliance and Enforcement Powers) Act 2020 – 28 June 2024

Letter to Legislative Assembly Committee – Inquiry into historical development consents in NSW – 14 June 2024

Letter to Law Council of Australia - Reforming Australia’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regime – second phase consultation – 22 May 2024

Letter to Law Council of Australia - Nature Positive Laws- Reforming the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) – 22 March 2024

Letter to NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure - Discussion paper – Statutory Review of the Crown Land Management Act 2016 – 15 March 2024

Letter to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure – Discussion paper – A review of land acquisition in NSW – 8 March 2024

Letter to LC Ptfo Cttee 7 - Inquiry into planning system and impacts of climate change on environment and communities - 3 November 2023

Letter to Department of Planning and Environment – Planning certificate fees – 19 June 2023

Letter to Department of Planning and Environment – Special flood consideration clause EIE – 14 February 2023

Visit the Environmental Planning and Development policy submissions archive

2025 Committee list

A. Knox (Chair), R. McCulloch (Deputy Chair), J. Amy, M. Bonanno, A. Cahill, B. Charlton, R. Chick, D. Fitzclarence, M. Floro, K. Huxley, R. Kandola, M. Macken,  S. Murphy,  P. Murray,  S. Pallavicini, A. Penklis, J. Sheehan, M. Thomas, P. Vergotis. (Policy Lawyer: G. Lea)

How to join a committee
Law Society Committees have powers, authorities and tasks delegated by the Council. Consisting of dedicated
volunteers, each committee focuses on a particular area of law, pooling together specialist skills and experience in
order to scrutinise legislation, court decisions and other government policies.


There are three broad categories of committees:

  • Regulatory committees – perform statutory duties under the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW)
  • Liaison committees – linked to other professions or organisations
  • Policy committees

By drawing on the insights of committees, the Law Society can meet its statutory duties and act as a major player
in law reform and policy debates.

See the Law Society Committee webpage