Insights Library

Best Hooper recognised in Best Lawyers in Australia Awards

Best Hooper

Victoria Introduces the Mid-Rise Code

Edward Mahony

The Environmental Effects Statement (EES) Process and how Best Hooper Lawyers can assist you

An Environmental Effects Statement (EES) is the primary state-level assessment mechanism for major projects which…

Edward Mahony & Chris Boocock

Best Hooper Tops Doyle’s Guide

Best Hooper

Green Wedge Zone: Victoria’s Preserved Greenspace

Land in the Green Wedge Zone sits outside the urban growth boundary and is intended…

Romy Davidov & Eli Morrison

Using AI for Legal Advice and Strategy

Joel Snyder & Jonathan Hourigan

Section 103 Applications, Excess Land and Cautions

Section 103 Applications, Excess Land and Cautions In our earlier article on excess (hiatus) land,…

Joel Snyder & Jonathan Hourigan

Recent Tribunal decisions since Clause 52.27 (licensed premises) removed from Victorian Planning Schemes 

Emily Marson

Important changes to Planning Compensation Claims (Financial Loss) under the Planning and Environment Act 1987

The Planning Amendment (Better Decisions Made Faster) Bill 2025 (Bill) proposes to make significant legislative…

Joel Snyder & Matthew Susic

Planning Amendment (Make Better Decisions Faster) Bill 2025: Major reforms on the horizon

Romy Davidov , Edward Mahony
& Jack Curnow

Data Centres- preparation is key

Edward Mahony

Victoria’s 10-Year Plan for Industrial Land – Opportunities for Developers and Investors

Edward Mahony

Proceed with care: when is a Cultural Heritage Management Plan really required?

Before engaging a cultural heritage consultant, developers should first confirm whether a Cultural Heritage Management…

Edward Mahony

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: State Taxation Further amendment Bill 2025 introduced to Parliament

Sarah Pereira

Supreme Court confirms: a covenant’s benefit must be easily ascertainable

The Supreme Court of Victoria has reaffirmed that the benefit of a restrictive covenant will…

Edward Mahony

Shepparton Corridor Upgrade: What the New Project Area Declaration Means for Landowners

Sebastian Greenway & Jonathan Hourigan

Not in Common Ownership (NICO) Subdivisions in Victoria: A Complete Guide

Introduction In Victorian property development, boundaries are rarely as simple as they appear on a…

Jonathan Hourigan , Lauren Cullen
& Brianna Batey

National Electricity (Victoria) Amendment (VicGrid Stage 2 Reform) Bill 2025: What it means for landowners

Sebastian Greenway & Jonathan Hourigan

Charitable Waiver for Windfall Gains Tax in Victoria

Why does the charitable waiver matter? For charities, the introduction of the Windfall Gains Tax…

Jonathan Hourigan & Lauren Cullen

Sunshine Superhub Compulsory Acquisition – A Guide for Landowners

Jonathan Hourigan & Sebastian Greenway

2025 Victorian Transmission Plan: an overview

Jonathan Hourigan , Sebastian Greenway
& Eliza Minney

Update: Vacant Residential Land Tax Changes

Sarah Pereira

Amendment VC282 – a codified Clause 54

Introduction Following in the footsteps of the Town House and Low-Rise Code (Code) introduced via…

Romy Davidov & Chris Boocock

Adverse Possession in Victoria: A comprehensive guide and how Best Hooper Lawyers can assist

Jonathan Hourigan & Brianna Batey

Western Renewables Link – What Landowners Need to Know About the EES, Compensation, and Legal Rights

The Western Renewables Link (WRL) is a proposed 190km overhead high-voltage electricity transmission line that…

Sebastian Greenway & Jonathan Hourigan

Celebrating Internal Promotions at Best Hooper Lawyers

Best Hooper

Extension to off-the-plan stamp duty concessions passes Parliament

The State Taxation Acts Amendment Bill 2025 has now officially passed both houses of Victorian…

Pengjia Gu

Retail Landlord’s Beware! Rent Review Caps now permitted!

Sarah Pereira

Best Hooper recognised in Best Lawyers in Australia Awards

Congratulations to the entire Best Hooper team on being recognised in the Best Lawyers 2026…

Best Hooper

Recent Decisions Clarify Ambit of Discretion

Tania Cincotta

Best Hooper Tops Doyle’s Guide

Best Hooper

Recent Precinct Structure Plans and the SRLA Precincts

Eliza Minney & Chris Boocock

Key Planning Updates – Victoria’s Housing Weeks Unpacked

The past two weeks have seen significant changes to Victoria’s Planning Schemes and its effects…

Tania Cincotta & Chris Boocock

What is the meaning of “Mid-rise” development and what land is within the environs of the Yarra River Corridor?

Dominic Scally & Jun Yu

PLANNING UPDATE

Today, the Premier and Planning Minister gazetted Amendment VC257, which makes changes to the Victoria…

Eliza Minney & Edward Mahony

John Cicero

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

We do not act for the Government or the Marinus Link Authority. We act for…

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…

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)

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…

Maliq Maideen

Navigating the Complexities of Drainage Schemes and Asset Delivery

Joel Snyder & Jonathan Hourigan

Childcare Sector Shows Strength in Adversity

As the Victorian property industry navigates the challenges of the current economic climate, tax and…

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

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…

Maliq Maideen

Important Amendments to GAIC and Section 35 Plans

Joel Snyder & Jonathan Hourigan

Victoria to NSW Interconnector West (VNI West)

Overview  The Victoria to NSW Interconnector West, known as VNI West, is a proposed new…

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

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…

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?

Latest VCAT decision re. the codification of the ResCode standards following Amendment VC243 – is…

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…

Eliza Minney

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

Eliza Minney & Chris Boocock

Major Hazard Facilities and the relevance of WorkSafe Guidance Note 2022

John Cicero & Edward Mahony

Codification of ResCode Standards

Emily Marson

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

“Victoria’s Housing Statement” (VHS) was released on Wednesday and broadly seeks to introduce new policies…

Chris Boocock & Eliza Minney

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

Eliza Minney & Edward Mahony

Time Limits Matter

In a recent Practice Day Hearing before Member Perlstein, Andrew Iser (Senior Associate) successfully argued…

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

A common topic that continues to emerge for our developer clients is the provision of…

Eli Morrison & Dominic Scally

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

Best Hooper

Time of Council ‘decision’ in a planning permit application

Edward Mahony of our office recently appeared at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT)…

Edward Mahony

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

Joel Snyder & Lauren Cullen

Celebrating Internal Promotions at Best Hooper Lawyers

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)

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

Best Hooper

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

Best Hooper

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

Edward Mahony

Amendments to State Taxes

Best Hooper

Two strikes and you’re out

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

Best Hooper

VCAT introduce the Fast Track List

Edward Mahony

Ambit of discretion limited to permit trigger

The recent VCAT decisions of Brunswick Investment Project Pty Ltd v Moreland CC [2021] VCAY…

Edward Mahony

Existing Use Rights and Licensed Premises

Emily Marson

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

The Supreme Court (Court) in the decision of Mondib Group Pty Ltd v Moonee Valley…

Eliza Minney & Edward Mahony

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

Eliza Minney

Best Hooper Top Doyle’s Guide

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

Best Hooper

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

Edward Mahony

Best Hooper is on the move in January 2022

Best Hooper

Meet our Land Development and Compulsory Acquisitions Team

Best Hooper

Owners Corporations and Other Acts Amendment Act 2021

The Owners Corporations and Other Acts Amendment Act 2021 (Vic) (OC Amendment Act) has finally…

Best Hooper

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

Andy Vicendese

Windfall Gains Tax – Update

Following a significant amount of industry consultation, and uncertainty from the developer community on how…

Joel Snyder

Leasing Update: Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme Reintroduced for Victorian Businesses

Best Hooper

Subdivision of Land in Two Zones

Tania Cincotta and Edward Mahony of our office were recently engaged by a landowner whose…

Edward Mahony

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

Best Hooper

Case Update: Application and Drafting of Development Contribution Plans

Warde St Pty Ltd v Minister for Planning [2021] VSC 238 This recent Supreme Court…

Best Hooper

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

Best Hooper

Getting to Know Excess (Hiatus) Land

Joel Snyder

VCAT Update – A return to face to face hearings

Eliza Minney

Best Hooper: The Next Generation

Best Hooper is proud to welcome the next generation of equity partners with Romy Davidov…

Joel Snyder & Romy Davidov

The Dangers of Service by Post

Robert McKay

BEST Lawyers recognises BEST Hooper Lawyers

Best Hooper is extremely proud to announce that, once again, members of our legal team…

Best Hooper

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

Joel Snyder

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

The Doyle’s Guide 2021 Victorian Leading Town Planning & Development Law Firm Rankings have just…

Best Hooper

Amendment GC172- policy neutral or material impact?

Edward Mahony

Childcare Centres: Recession Proof Essential Services

Following a year full of challenges, an easing of Covid restrictions has seen some version…

Best Hooper

Roll out of Stage One of the Suburban Rail Loop

Joel Snyder

Clause 52.18 – Planning exemptions to assist in hospitality recovery

Emily Marson

Leasing Update: Extension of Relief – and some Surprises

Best Hooper

HomeBuilder Scheme – Victorian Guidelines Announced

Following on from the HomeBuilder Scheme announcement by the Federal Government in June this year…

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…

Best Hooper

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…

Best Hooper

VCAT Update from Deputy President Bisucci – 19 May 2020

Eliza Minney

Amendments to Corporations Act in Response to COVID-19

Best Hooper

The Best Hooper Version of “Business as Usual”

Joel Snyder

Leasing Update: New Regulations Place Onus on Tenants

All you need to know if you are a party to a Commercial Lease during…

Best Hooper

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)…

Best Hooper

Leases Update: Omnibus Bill – Regulations Still to Come

Best Hooper

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…

Best Hooper

Our new normal

John Cicero

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

Best Hooper

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

Best Hooper

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

COVID-19 has forced individuals into isolation, businesses into indefinite closure, communities into uncertainty and economies…

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?

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

The Doyle’s Guide 2019 Victorian Planning & Environment Law Rankings have just been announced and…

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
What is a Garden?

Garden Area application – per lot or planning unit?

Edward Mahony

A recent warning about bearing the risk of DCP Infrastructure Projects

John Cicero

Integrated Decision Making – A Timely Reminder

Best Hooper successfully acted on behalf of the Stonnington City Council (Council) in the Victorian…

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-Mania-now Senior-Associate

Rose Maina now Senior Associate at Best Hooper

Best Hooper
What is a Garden?

What is a Garden?

John Cicero

Due Diligence – How Much is Enough?

When purchasing existing residential premises, most people do not consider due diligence until after they’ve entered into a contract to buy the property. This is a common mistake.

Best Hooper

Electronic conveyancing; a no-brainer for property developers

Best Hooper

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

Joel Snyder

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

Best Hooper

Recognised In The Best Lawyers List

Best Hooper lawyers John Cicero (Principal), Ian Pitt (Q – Special Counsel) and Teresa Bisucci…

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…

Best Hooper

‘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

Recent Changes To The Victorian State Government’s Planning Provisions

Best Hooper

The State Government’s Changes To Residential Zones

The long-awaited amendments to the residential zones will be gazetted on 27 March 2017 via…

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

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.