What Type of Projects?
Small Lot & Heritage
We understand how to work with designers to guide innovative design solutions on constrained sites, to resolve heritage requirements, minimise offsite impacts and create functional, high-quality spaces.
Creative collaboration, careful context assessment and skilled negotiation to secure outstanding small lot and heritage outcomes.
TownhouseS
We have a detailed understanding of the new 2-Dwelling VICSMART pathway and design compliance requirements.
We can streamline your planning process and maximise your project outcomes under the new Clause 55 Townhouse and Low-Rise Code.
APARTMENTS
The new Mid-Rise Code for 4-6 storey apartment projects is perfectly suited for the Residential Growth Zone and the new Housing Choice and Transport Zone, offering direct Code Assessment permit outcomes on suitable sites.
We can guide you through the new process and help resolve outstanding development outcomes at this scale.
Commercial Retail Industrial
We have secured planning approvals all across Melbourne for restaurant, bar, function, gym, medical, childcare, education, warehouse, industrial and other uses.
Whether your project is in an established suburban area or a new growth area, we can guide you through the planning process to help you get established.
What do we do?
Pre-Application Advice
Site selection advice, pre-purchase development scoping, early concept design review.
Choosing the right site and the right development concept can help avoid planning complications.
Planning Applications
We prepare planning assessment reports and also lodge and manage planning applications.
We anticipate and address compliance requirements and other key planning issues to deliver efficient and effective planning solutions.
Trouble-shooting
Sometimes planning applications run into difficulty mid-way through the process.
Drawing on 25 years experience in planning, mediation and advocacy, we can step-in to review unresolved issues and provide careful guidance to maintain your project vision and get you back on track to approval.
VCAT Advocacy
With 25 years experience in planning advocacy and more than 400 VCAT appeals, we have an outstanding record of VCAT permit approvals, often achieving negotiated consent solutions before hearing.
Our Numbers
25+
Years of Experience
1200+
Planning Permit Approvals
ABOUT
Chris Mackenzie
Founder and Director
I bring a unique combination of legal skills, planning experience, design understanding and a developer mindset, helping you navigate the complexities of the planning process to secure your planning approval
In the first 10 years of my career, I worked as a Planning and Environment Lawyer in national law firms and specialist planning law firms across a wide range of complex planning and legal matters.
For the past 15 years, I have run my own independent planning advocacy business, collaborating with project designers, developers and property owners to guide contentious and complicated planning applications through to approval.
Drawing on my experience in more than 400 VCAT Appeals and 1000+ planning permit approvals, I take pride in being able to identify critical planning risks early in the process, provide clear strategic advice and help translate layers of planning policy and Council feedback into effective design solutions.
Much of my work involves residential development with small lot renovations, duplex / dual occupancy, larger townhouse projects and apartments projects across Victoria, with a broader portfolio commercial, medical, education and industrial projects.
Where we work
