Sophie Whealy

Sophie Whealy Partner Areas of ExpertiseEnvironment & Planning LawLocal GovernmentLand and Environment CourtLand Acquisition Sophie is a Partner with specialised experience in environmental, planning and local government law, having particular experience in obtaining development approvals and achieving high-value outcomes in compulsory acquisition matters in NSW, often via the Land and Environment Court of NSW. Sophie…

Warringah Road Developments Pty Ltd vs Northern Beaches Council

In a recent case, the Land and Environment Court considered an appeal concerning a development application for the construction of a childcare facility in Forestville, Australia. The court’s final orders, resulting from an agreement reached at a conciliation conference, upheld the appeal and granted development consent for the project. The applicant had lodged the development…

Class 4 Civil Enforcement

Find about Class 4 proceedings in the Land and Environment Court When dealing with the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales, it pays to be familiar with the different legal aspects and terminologies.  If you’d like to understand more about what you can expect if you are involved in Class 4 civil enforcement…

Land and Environment Court: Benmill v North Sydney Council

The applicant in this matter, Benmill Pty Ltd, was seeking declaratory relief in relation to the approved use of three illuminated roof signs prominently displayed near the top of a 17-storey commercial office building at 275 Alfred Street in North Sydney. Benmill contended that the approved use of the signs was, and remains, for the…

Land and Environment Court Case Study: Royle v Debelak

The applicant in this matter, Mr Royle, is a resident of Newport on Sydney’s northern beaches. He bought his property in 2016 and had been attempting to negotiate with neighbours, the respondents, regarding pruning a bamboo hedge on their property which had grown and caused a severe obstruction to views of the beaches and headlands…