Former Central Coast real estate agency owner
GREAT newsletter again. You have so much good info in all sections of the newsletter.

New Central Coast Corporate Client
I am so glad we spoke. I feel we are now in safe hands for a difficult project.

Central Coast Community Activitist
Your newsletter is excellent. Thank you.

Sydney/Central Coast client setting up rural business (interactive design)
Really good idea actually. … Thanks for that Much appreciated for your time and suggestions You have been fantastic

Pittwater waterfront client
I have read your report. It's fabulously forensic. Thank you.

Central Coast new waterfront off-grid house client
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 activist for sustainable communities
Once again a well structured Newsletter and important for pulling urban planners and public interest groups together.

Central Coast rural property owner with illegal dwelling(s)
Fantastic news! Thanks Helen for all your help and invaluable advice.

Architect for off-grid house at Lower Portland
You have done a great job

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 Client (retail shop)
I trust you.

Central Coast Lawyer
Thanks. Great report.

Hawkesbury client proposing an off-grid house
Great result!!!! Well done!!!

Central Coast client
Consummate professional

Long-term Central Coast colleague
would you stand for the Board?

New Central Coast owners of acreage with "challenging" neighbours
We have total faith in your work and service.

Central Coast waterfront client
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 seeking a neighbour’s compliance with all development standards
I appreciated your involvement. ... You came highly recommended and we realize why.

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.

Sydney company with Central Coast commercial property
Amazing – thank you! I really appreciate the quick turnaround!

Central Coast tradesperson
Very impressive .... Kindest Regards

Central Coast Waterfront Owners
You have done an amazing job and we can’t thank you enough – you are so incredible to help us like this. Thank you.

Central Coast business person & former real estate agent
Thanks again for a great, concise report.

Central Coast waterfront property owners
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 developer (especially of industrial land), long term newsletter subscriber
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!

Central Coast client, selling but with last minute hurdle
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.

Central Coast resident, national commercial interests
You really know what you are talking about, and I deal with many Councils for our company’s properties.

Central Coast developer (<$6m in purchases pending)
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 architect
We love the way the newsletter keeps us informed

Waterfront owner seeking 2 lot subdivision
You really know what you are doing

Application for a relocated primary school on acreage
Thanks

Central Coast client facing refusal of non-compliant DA he submitted, at the time of our engagement
Thank you very much indeed. Your professionalism is highly appreciated!

Central Coast real estate agent
Awesome

Central Coast subdivider
Thanks Helen for the information. You are certainly organised.

Central Coast newsletter subscriber
You are certainly on the ball in your analysis of LEP. Thank you for doing the work as it keeps us interested in the complex subject of planning.

Central Coast client (commercial, prior to selling property)
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 property investors and subscribers
We have received your monthly report and enjoy reading it, so much information, thanks again

Another satisfied client (Sydney and Central Coast)
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 conveyancer
Thank you... The summary you provide is very informative

Central Coast client (objectives achieved)
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.

Apparent breach by a “challenging” neighbour
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)

Buyer who went overseas during cooling off period
It was great for us all to experience her in action yesterday and before lunch today she had several emails in to us with answers to yesterday's questions, responses from Council etc... impressive !

Newsletter subscriber
Excellent coverage of all topics at the Coastal Conference

Central Coast client (experienced developer and property portfolio owner)
Helen, thanks again, you were the best thing to come out of this whole episode I really appreciate what you did for us

Waterfront owners with heritage house
...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

Client facing neighbours’ opposition when trying to regain lost privacy
We appreciate the help and advice you have given us Helen, it has been invaluable.
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.

E-newsletter subscriber, long-term local property developer and agent
Congratulations. !!
This is the best ever property newsletter that you have produced, and that is saying something !
It is good to read such vital information, and you deserve to be thanked and congratulations. Keep up your vital and good work.

E-newsletter subscriber
Very happy to support you.
We need more good thinking people with clear and positive ideas.

Client with DA encountering objections from a neighbour
Helen’s draft letter is terrific. It details our position and concerns very well, and advances some very persuasive arguments in our favour.

Client (detached dual occupancy 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.

Client (Consent for policy-non-compliant proposal based on site evidence)
Thank you for all your help, I don’t think it would have happened without you.

Client (detached dual occupancy proposal)
You have put together an amazing response. Thank you.

Client with new approval for business premises (multiple objections overcome)
We can’t thank you enough for getting us over this hurdle. We can now move forward again. Very pleased with the result.

Client reporting a Compliance issue (alleged poisoning of listed threatened flora species on a site with a development proposal affected by species)
Your input helped speed things up.

Client reporting multiple Compliance issues
While not easy to achieve, you may be the one person who can do it.

Client responding to the final draft of a 25pp. submission
Your letter is fantastic!

Subscriber to an e-newsletter
I haven’t been reading SBN for 3 years, but what I have read of it definitely did inform, inspire and provide useful resources. The way to make a long journey has always been to take one step at a time towards your goal. You have certainly done that and I think you should feel proud of your achievement.

Subscriber to Property News
Well put together, with lots of research on the subjects. Delivered in as simple terms as possible, congrats.

Client’s neighbour to a client:
You’ve got the Rolls Royce of consultants there.
2x

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

Client:
It wouldn’t have happened with such a good outcome unless you’d been involved. You’re a thorough professional and I’m very happy with what you’ve done. If I come across anyone who needs help, I’ll be very happy to recommend you.

Client:
I trust what you’re telling me. Please fix it for me.

Client:
You were brilliant, thank you.

Central Coast non-profit land manager:
The Committee wish to express their deep appreciation in achieving an SP-1 zoning classification.

Multi-million dollar property owner opposing neighbouring development:
Helen, this is fantastic thank you. Please do submit to Council, and I would be delighted if you would continue to monitor the situation.

Building designer:
Very informative property newsletter.

Medical practice manager:
The meeting was enjoyable and informative.

Client:
We thank you for your invaluable assistance.

Client representative ($45m development project):
Great report.
Great letter to Council.

Business Woman of the Year Award:
It is satisfying to see a person successfully involved with a number of local businesses being acknowledged for their assistance and support. (construction company, Managing Director).

Recent Praise:
You have the respect of many many people.

You are a business woman that I truly look up to and who also inspires me in my business, so I should be thanking you for the privilege of working with such a professional as yourself.

Impressive, I value your professionalism, You obviously know this planning stuff inside out, You talk their language.

Women in Business participant, 2009:
Meeting my mentor Helen Monks has been nothing short of fantastic. I have told as many people as I can about you and am pushing them to see you.

2 Australasian company executives:
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.

Architect following DLEP 2009 public presentation:
She is the full bottle on both the existing controls and the new instruments. The appeal in our case is to both the natural values, and the history – well described by Helen.

Client who had received a breach notice from Council:
We worked well together in overcoming the obstacles.

Property professional at pre-purchase stage:
You’ve certainly given me some new dimensions to thinking about the purchase and the lease.

Owner battling Council for 6 years over land in a very private enclosed bushland setting:
After all this time, we’ll let them put a road through to get an approval, but it’s too close to the two houses.

Later, after Highlight Consulting negotiated further so the road proposed by Council was deleted:
Thank you, well done, that’s a fantastic result!

Central Coast resident with significant property portfolio:
Your technical and tactical advice was much better than all those solicitors.

Real Estate Institute, Central Coast:
Your views, comments and advice were well received by our members, thank you for your clarity.

Client with strong, persistent objections from neighbour:
I know we’ve got the right person on the job now – your report is tops.

Real estate professional (high end):
Thank you for being so helpful over the past few months. I am looking forward to working with you further in the future.

Client with successful two lot suburban subdivision:
You’re a star.

Young mentoree in a service business, Central Coast:
You’re gold!

Owner of 3 conservation-zoned blocks containing 2 houses (Central Coast):
You’re the first person who has made any sense. Now I can see what our options are.

Real estate specialist (national):
Brilliant – you lift my work to a higher level. I can trust you to exceed my expectations every time.

Owner of land being rezoned and subdivided in controversial circumstances (Central Coast):
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.

Owner of mixed-zone land being subdivided so as to obtain an expansive ocean view from a new house site (Gosford City):
An excellent project manager, consulting team leader and problem solver. As good as the top consultants I’ve worked with in Sydney.

Client looking for a commercial site (Central Coast):
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.

Specialist subconsultant (Sydney):
You integrate work from all the different professions in a creative and thorough way, so as to maximize the benefits for the client and the chances of an approval. Really happy working with Highlight Consulting. I knew what was needed, by when and what I would be paid.

Owner of a successful three lot subdivision, previously refused in the NSW Land and Environment Court through a different consultant (Central Coast):
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!

Owners of a medium density development with Torrens Title subdivision (Lake Munmorah):
We always knew what was happening – the quality of your communications with us and with Council, as well as the subtle subdivision design, got our development over the line against the odds. And your building designer wants to enter the townhouses into a Building Design Award! I’ll be referring my friends to you.

Owner of a 2 lot subdivision (Great Lakes/ Forster):
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.

Young person building a $10m property portfolio over 10 years (Lower Hunter):
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.

Owners of a new bed and breakfast (Port Stephens):
Council wouldn’t give us a straight answer. You speak their language and found out the real story. Now you’ve told us what we need to do to gain approval. Easy!

Owners of conservation-zoned land seeking a community title subdivision (Central Coast):
You know how Council and government work on the inside. That’s what we want you for.

Real estate professional seeking strategic management advice
Thank you for the fantastic session and job you have done with this strategy plan & text. Outstanding.

Client wanting jetty at waterfrontage
You've overachieved, we can buy it now.
You have been an amazing help (pre-purchase stage for a >$1.5m purchase – what was approved, not approved, what were their rights?).

Central Coast real estate agent
Awesome.