Development & Projects Lawyers Melbourne & Gold Coast
End-to-end legal support for property developers across Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. From site acquisition and off-the-plan contracts through to subdivision, staged settlements, and owners' corporation setup.
Who we work with
Property developers: Whether you're delivering a boutique 2-lot subdivision or a complex multi-stage residential or mixed-use project, we provide commercially minded legal support at every stage of the project lifecycle.
Landowners and vendors: If you're selling land to a developer, entering a joint venture, or looking to unlock the development potential of your site, we help structure the deal and protect your interests.
Investors and financiers: Legal support for those funding development projects, including loan structuring, security documentation, and due diligence on borrowers and project feasibility.
What we help with
Our corporate and commercial lawyers prepare, review and advise on a wide range of business contracts, corporate documents and commercial transactions, including:
Development services
Site acquisition and land due diligence
Preparation and negotiation of master contracts
Drafting off-the-plan contracts and disclosure documentation
Lodgement and management of subdivision plans
Conveyancing of individual lots and staged settlements
Creation and variation of easements and restrictive covenants
Drafting and negotiating Section 173 Agreements
Coordination with surveyors, real estate agents, financiers, and statutory authorities
Strategic advice on GST, stamp duty, and land tax
Complex transactions involving multiple vendors and development agreements
Establishment and governance of owners' corporations, including rules
FIRB compliance and regulatory advice
Agreements for lease and commercial/retail leasing
Licensing of common property (e.g. car parks, courtyards, storage cages)
Additional development-related services
Sale and acquisition of rent rolls
Exclusive letting and management rights
Embedded network agreements
Service and utility provider agreements
What the process looks like
Step 1. Tell us about your project: Get in touch by phone or email. We'll discuss the development, the stage you're at, and where you need legal support. Whether it's a new acquisition or a project already in motion, we'll get up to speed quickly.
Step 2. We scope the work and confirm costs: You'll receive a clear outline of the legal work involved, expected timeframes, and transparent pricing, so you can plan with confidence.
Step 3. We handle the legal detail: Your lawyer manages the documentation, coordination, and compliance requirements across the project. That includes contracts, due diligence, subdivision plans, and working alongside your surveyors, agents, and financiers.
Step 4. We keep pace with the project: Development timelines move fast. We stay across milestones, flag issues early, and make sure the legal work doesn't hold up the build or settlement schedule.
Step 5. Settlement and completion: We manage staged settlements, finalise lot conveyancing, attend to lodgements, and confirm any post-completion steps, including owners' corporation setup and ongoing compliance.
Need a development lawyer who understands the commercial side?
Melbourne Office: Level 3, 420 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Gold Coast Office: Level 2, 194 Varsity Parade, Gold Coast QLD 4228
Phone: (03) 9647 2050
Email: admin@tmcollins.com.au
We aim to respond to all enquiries within one business day.
From first acquisition to final settlement, we keep the legal process moving so your project stays on track. Talk to our development team today.
This practice area is led by our Head of Property and Finance, Chelsea Landgren. Feel free to reach out to Chelsea directly to discuss your project.
FAQs on Debt Recovery
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We act on a wide range of projects, from boutique 2-lot subdivisions through to complex multi-stage residential developments, mixed-use projects, apartment buildings, greenfield sites, and estate developments across Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland.
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Yes. We provide end-to-end legal support covering site acquisition, due diligence, contract preparation, subdivision, staged settlements, owners' corporation setup, and everything in between.
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Absolutely. We regularly coordinate with surveyors, real estate agents, town planners, financiers, and statutory authorities to make sure the legal work aligns with the broader project timeline and objectives.
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A Section 173 Agreement is a legal agreement between a landowner and a local council under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Vic). It's commonly used in developments to impose obligations on the land, such as infrastructure contributions, design requirements, or land use restrictions. We draft and negotiate these regularly.
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Not with us. Our property and development team also handles banking and finance matters, so you get consistent advice across the acquisition, development, and funding components of your project without briefing multiple firms.
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These can be complex in a development context. We provide strategic advice on tax structuring, margin scheme elections, duty exemptions, and land tax implications to help you manage costs and stay compliant.
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It depends on the size and complexity of the project. We provide transparent pricing upfront and can structure our fees to align with project milestones. Get in touch and we'll give you a clear quote based on your specific development.