Pikes and Verekers Lawyers > What We Do

Local Government

Introduction

Pikes & Verekers Lawyers has long been regarded as a pre-eminent firm in the area of local government law. We act for over 20 local councils in New South Wales and advise on the full spectrum of legal issues facing modern councils regardless of their location. We are proud to have had a long association with both metropolitan and country councils.

Councils look to Pikes & Verekers Lawyers to advise on property issues including leasing, acquisition and sale of property, and governance matters including code of conduct, liability and immunities. We regularly provide advice on land use matters including enforcement and prosecutions.

Pikes & Verekers Lawyers is known for its expertise in advising local government on planning and environmental law including litigation in all classes in the Land and Environment Court and in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.

Our team, including Stephen Griffiths, Roslyn McCulloch, Gary Green, Joshua Palmer and Mark Cottom, has more combined years of legal experience in advising local government than any other firm in New South Wales.

Experience

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Pecuniary Interest Advice

Acted for a councillor prosecuted for breaching the pecuniary interest provisions of the Local Government Act 1993.

Advice regarding Powers of Delegation

Providing extensive advice concerning council’s powers of delegation under the Local Government Act 1993.

Advice regarding Prosecution Procedures

Preparation of a procedures manual for a council in relation to its prosecution procedures.

Drafting Notices

Advised and drafted notices for a council when the council’s waste collection contractor withdrew all of its vehicles from waste collection operation in the council’s area.

Advice

Provision of extensive advice to Broken Hill City Council on a wide variety of matters including mining operations, health and safety issues relating to takeaway food premises, roads authority powers and obligations, building certification and council liability and obligations in respect of negligent employees.

Advice regarding Preparation of LEPs

Detailed advice and input into the preparation of Local Environmental Plans, including planning proposals and Development Control Plans.

Advice regarding Community Land

Acting for a council in a case relating to the community land provisions of the Local Government Act 1993: Ryde City Council ats Friends of Pryor Park (1996) 91 LGERA.

Acting in Judicial Review Proceedings

Acting for owner of a large-scale seniors living development at Glenhaven in The Hills Shire Council area in judicial review proceedings and advising on development applications and planning proposals.