Australia: Construction & Planning

Third-Party Proceedings in Queensland allow defendants to bring additional parties into existing litigation when those parties may owe contribution or indemnity, or when connected issues need to be resolved together. The procedure is governed by the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 (Qld) and requires careful attention to timing, pleading requirements, and the substantive basis for joining the third party. Understanding when and how to properly initiate these proceedings can determine whether a defendant s

Commercial construction contracts in Queensland operate under strict statutory payment timelines and procedural requirements that can make or break a project's financial flow. Understanding how to structure agreements, manage progress claims, handle variations, and respond to disputes within mandated deadlines is essential for contractors, subcontractors, and project managers navigating Queensland's construction law framework.

Construction disputes require immediate attention to contractual obligations and procedural requirements. Understanding notice provisions, dispute resolution mechanisms, and preservation of evidence can determine the success of your claim. Learn the critical first steps to protect your legal position when conflicts arise on construction projects.

When can a commercial landlord in Queensland legally terminate a lease, and what procedural requirements must be followed? Understanding the distinction between a tenant's breach and the landlord's right to re-enter is critical, as non-compliance with the Property Law Act 2023 can invalidate termination attempts and expose landlords to legal risk.

Recent NSW court decisions are establishing new protections for residential owner-occupiers under the Security of Payment Act, with judges granting stays on enforcement where contractors pose insolvency risks. These rulings recognize that residential owners face fundamentally different risks than commercial parties, cushioning the impact of legislation originally designed for business-to-business construction disputes.

Special counsel Mark Cowan shares his journey to Cooper Grace Ward after nearly two decades in property, planning and environment law, discussing what attracted him to the firm's collaborative culture. The conversation explores how planning and environment law has transformed into a dynamic field spanning urban development, renewables, infrastructure, agriculture and mining, while examining the persistent challenge of delivering infrastructure efficiently amid shifting government policies.

NSW's Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms aim to address the state's housing shortage by permitting diverse housing types near transport hubs, but a recent panel discussion revealed a critical question: will removing planning barriers alone actually deliver more housing? The debate highlights tensions between state intervention and local government authority, while examining whether planning reform can overcome feasibility challenges, infrastructure constraints, and affordability concerns that continue to impe

New South Wales has passed comprehensive building legislation that consolidates existing approval and practitioner frameworks while introducing groundbreaking provisions for prefabricated and modular construction. The Building (Approvals and Practitioners) Bill 2026 awaits Governor assent, with its practical implications dependent on forthcoming regulations that will determine operational details and affected parties.

A NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal decision clarifies that lot owners who renovate common property under a special by-law may assume long-term maintenance and repair obligations for those alterations. The ruling examines when owners corporations can resist repair claims and what evidence is required to establish statutory warranty breaches in strata renovation disputes.