Recent Projects

Testimonials

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.”

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.”

Central Coast subdivider

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

Waterfront owner seeking 2 [...]

"You really know what you are doing"

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 [...]

"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."

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!"

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.”

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 Real Estate [...]

"Awesome."

Pre-purchase uncertainty [...]

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

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.”

Waterfront owner

"You’re good at what you do."

CC resident, national [...]

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

Client

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

Central Coast client [...]

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

Contribution requested for [...]

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

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."

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)."

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.”

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.”

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!

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."

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.”

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."

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"

A builder and separately an [...]

"We love the way the newsletter keeps us informed"

Subscriber

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

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.”

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"

Contact Us

Advice on amended lot’s building envelope (new subdivision)
Post-approval amendment to integrate bushfire requirement with ecological requirement (commercial site with EEC)
Pre-purchase advice on demolition for townhouses (purchase proceeded with confidence)
Post-purchase advice to client’s lawyer: heritage-listed property
Advice during Council’s rezoning process
Post-purchase advice on development potential
Rectification advice following breach (acreage with commercial agricultural uses)
Pre-purchase advice about existing building: conversion to other uses
Pre-purchase advice (steep acreage) for potential home builders
Post-purchase advice about development potential (1 existing building does not suit buyers’ objectives, 1 does)
Pre-sale advice on subdivision potential (nil, constraints plus insufficient available land)
Post-purchase advice about rezoning potential (ask us before you buy)
Advice on impacts of a neighbour’s development, client’s rights, and what may or may not be changed
Site report for vendor of a large mixed use and environmentally constrained site
Advise buyer of a non-compliant waterfront property about protective options
Proposal for an educational establishment
Following receipt of Consent with uncommercial conditions of Consent, prepare an amendment application (2 clients)
Mitigate impact of large commercial building extension towards bushfire hazard and Endangered Ecological Community
Advice to lawyer during Supreme Court matter about characteristics of various commercial and residential lots that affect the case
Proposed implementation of our Vegetation Management Plan on commercial site
Pre-sale/ pre-purchase advice on 2 rural lots: one multi-purpose, one with minimal apparent development potential
Assistance to local oyster growers’ association
Preparation for DA for rural worker’s dwelling on acreage
Assistance with aquaculture project (lease, building, jetty etc.)
Pre-purchase assistance for rural property search
Site report on subdivision potential of acreage (land size, zone)
Town planning, procedural and tactical advice about someone else’s allegedly unapproved/illegal property activities
Pre-sale report for vendor to offer to buyers asking technical questions about property status
Professional advice about potential, during shift in a family ownership of an acreage, prior to DAs for development
Pre-purchase advice (several sites), acreage for new business in drinking water catchment; later preparation of DAs
DA for ancillary building, acreage
Pre-sale advice on large lot with minimal to zero development potential, yet successfully on-sold
Short-term holiday letting DA for large house, following a neighbour’s complaint
Expert witness in Land & Environment Court, helping achieve a conciliated result
Advocate for view retention, adherence to Development Control Plan height, setbacks, bulk for affected neighbours
Advice on another’s farmstay accommodation DA and working farm definition for business plan
Rectification after Consent of others’ inconsistent professional reports which cannot comply with the Consent (clearly, not our DA!)
Advice concerning another’s lodged DA (house alterations and significant additions) which risks refusal
Additions and alterations when a land use is otherwise prohibited
Advice on effects on permissibility/prohibition of development potential, large waterfront block (awaiting draft Consolidated LEP)
Advice on keeping subdivision Consent alive when there is no lapse date on it, to avoid house demolition
Advice on 2 lot subdivision of environmental land, producing 1 compliant and 1 slightly non-compliant lot
Pre-purchase advice on development potential (the client then bought the property)
Advice to rectify pending breach notices, resulting in part from “whistleblower” who reported incorrect information
Advice on size reduction of other’s DA for very non-compliant house extension
Pre-purchase advice on development and renovation potential (Pacific Palms)
Apply for amendments to approved major house renovation, absolute beachfront, approx.. $1m build
Advice on options for development potential (several clients)
Ongoing advice about the changes in Council’s town planning requirements
Several two lot subdivisions with various problems
Estuary waterfront subdivision with potential dual occupancy
Amendment of another’s Development Consent for a suburban subdivision, to improve sales prospects (bushfire, flooding)
Site report as to development potential which assisted in sale of >$1m waterfront property
Advice on development potential on several acreages (flooding, bushfire, species, soil)
Site report on development potential, Terrigal
Remediation of breach on large acreage, then approval for huge shed
Community impact statement and application for a liquor licence
Advice on affordable housing market opportunities, especially through innovative construction
Advice on potential for secondary dwelling within existing
Potential for dual occupancy on an acreage (multiple clients)
Opinion following refusal of someone else’s DA (flood-affected): next steps
Subdivision potential assessment, beachfront site heavily affected by coastal hazard
Studio on acreage
Residential addition (geotechnical, bushfire, access, slope, maybe ecology)
Subdivision of waterfront property, major house renovation and additions, pool, secondary dwelling
“Granny flat” advice (multiple clients)
Subdivision design (absolute beachfront affected by coastal erosion)
Advice on development master plan for flood-prone acreage
Zoning advice for specialist land use (pre-purchase search)
Development potential assessment (1) pre-listing; 2) tidal-affected and constrained by species protection; 3) pre-purchase – acreage with multiple constraints)
Acreage potential for horse business (pre-purchase – they bought)
Development potential (medium density query)
Commercial premises – development potential
Pre-purchase advice on development potential (various clients, various objectives (commercial, residential, acreaes), 2 regions; sites with bushfire hazard, flooding, geotechnical issues, zoning and land use changes, Coastal Open Space System affected, coastal hazard, listed species/communities, trees)
Pre-listing advice with written report for real estate agent (various clients; development potential before selling?)
Development potential (medium density; commercial uses on environmentally-zoned land; land being rezoned for residential; commercial building; residential subdivisions; rural activities including horses on flood-prone and bushfire-prone property; commercial use of residential building; absolute beachfront residence; room in the roof and new balcony in unit building; addition of second dwelling)
Subdivision advice on many acreages and large suburban lots with diverse characteristics (various clients, various objectives)

recent1 recent2