Partner

Matt Sonter

Matt specialises in all aspects of the development approval process. Matt advises a broad range of private and publicly listed property developers and commercial land holders on the development process and the most efficient way to navigate the NSW planning system including written advice, representation at panel meetings and often, in the Land and Environment Court.

Matt embodies a practical and outcome-based approach to legal issues and ability to negotiate the approval process with local and state government authorities through the Land and Environment Court.

Expertise

Matt’s expertise includes:

  • Residential, aged care and mixed use developments
  • Acting for licensed premises and industrial operators in relation to the development and licensing process, and legislative requirements

Recent Projects

  • Appearing in the Land and Environment Court for developers, hoteliers, industrial funds and individuals in Class 1 merit appeals and Class 4 prosecution proceedings relating to Greenfield subdivision, mixed use development, aged care facilities, single dwellings and tower development in Central Sydney.
  • Advising on voluntary planning agreements and providing representation for companies or individuals whose land or business interests are being compulsorily acquired.

Professional Memberships / Accreditation & Activities

  • Recommended Lawyer, Planning & Development, Doyle’s Guide

    Sector

location

Sydney

Thinking

Planning & Environment
New hurdles for subdivision on ‘coastal...
Planning & Environment
SEPP 65 scrapped for pending development...
Planning & Environment
Proposals released for blanket uplift of...
Planning & Environment
New affordable housing incentive scheme —...
Planning & Environment
Radical break with past planning policies to...
Planning & Environment
Land and Environment Court decision: The...
Planning & Environment
The ‘housing and productivity...
Planning & Environment
First changes to ‘clause 4.6’ in 15 years...
Planning & Environment
The detail is out on the new ‘housing and...
Planning & Environment
New development levy laws pass through...
Planning & Environment
An easier time for detailed development...
Planning & Environment
Land and Environment Court clarifies that...
Planning & Environment
Tree blocking your CDC? Land and Environment...
Planning & Environment
The Mills Oakley guide to ‘Site...
Planning & Environment
Building commissioner’s interpretation of...
Planning & Environment
Nature Negative to ‘Nature Positive’...
Planning & Environment
Easement for Light and Air – Busted ...
Planning & Environment
NSW Government publishes new timeline, more...
Planning & Environment
New legal test when a competitive design...
Planning & Environment
New rules for development on roads, drainage...
Planning & Environment
New sustainable buildings requirements: More...
Planning & Environment
Co-living housing no longer subject to the...
Planning & Environment
Relying on incentive provisions — when you...
Planning & Environment
NSW Government heritage decision struck down...
Planning & Environment
Major Housing SEPP reversal
Planning & Environment
Government tackles major flaw in Sydney-wide...
Planning & Environment
New planning rules, new protocols for...
Planning & Environment
Changes to how rezonings are obtained —...
Planning & Environment
New Housing SEPP rolled-out, impacting on...
Planning & Environment
Eight new zones – new risk of downzoning,...
Planning & Environment
Court takes action to prevent local council...
Planning & Environment
Land and Environment Court adopts a new way...
Planning & Environment
Surprising NSW Court of Appeal decision in...
Planning & Environment
Draft Housing SEPP released, reducing housing...
Planning & Environment
‘Build-to-rent’ back on in Central...
MO
Planning & Environment
Changes to Sydney construction ban
Planning & Environment
Build-to-rent housing scrapped in Central...
MO
Planning & Environment
Sydney construction work ‘paused’ due to...
Planning & Environment
Update: Calculating Gross Floor Area (for FSR...
Planning & Environment
Important Court decision on ‘desired future...
Planning & Environment
The newest layer of building regulation is...
Planning & Environment
New vendor tax on future development sites ...
Planning & Environment
Wider application of flood planning rules ...
Planning & Environment
Clause 4.6 requests: reforms are coming but...
Planning & Environment
“Ground Level (Existing)” – Everything...
Planning & Environment
Building Commissioner is flexing his new...
Planning & Environment
New planning agreement policy blows away poor...
Planning & Environment
‘Build-to-rent’ housing controls...
Planning & Environment
Sudden changes made to exempt and complying...
Planning & Environment
New pathway for local councils to reduce...
Planning & Environment
New expanded levy regime on residential flat...
Planning & Environment
NSW Government zooming ahead with new...
Planning & Environment
‘Build-to-rent’ and seniors housing...
Planning & Environment
Calculating Gross Floor Area (for FSR...
Planning & Environment
Rezoning appeals in the Land and Environment...
MO
COVID-19
The (Low) bar has been raised – NSW...
MO
COVID-19
COVID-19 now stops the ‘clock’ on...
MO
COVID-19
COVID-19 does not (yet) stop the ‘clock’...
MO
COVID-19
NSW under official lockdown — full details...
MO
COVID-19
Wider bans on public and private activity,...
MO
COVID-19
Social life suspended — unprecedented ban...
Planning & Environment
It is Time to Act on NSW Land Tax
MO
COVID-19
New ‘gatherings’ order, streamlined...
Planning & Environment
A (much-needed) breath of fresh air for...
MO
COVID-19
New wide-ranging bans on indoor and outdoor...
MO
COVID-19
New criminal offence: Holding events with...
Planning & Environment
Government activates Coronavirus plan —...
Planning & Environment
Which local councils are fighting high-value...
Planning & Environment
The release of the Draft Design and Building...
Planning & Environment
New rules for construction certificates and...
Planning & Environment
The flaw in Sydney’s new ‘local strategic...
Planning & Environment
More delays: local strategic planning...
Planning & Environment
Planning and Environment Update

Special Counsel

Fraser Hardman

View the next profile