Property Development Lawyers for Developers & Projects
End‑to‑end lifecycle support from senior property development lawyers advising developers across Queensland & nationally.
- Rigorous due diligence to uncover fatal flaws before site acquisition
- Optimal tax & liability structure for complex property transactions & joint ventures
- Draft robust construction contracts & deliver fast turnaround to prevent delays
- Compliant off-the-plan agreements & lease negotiation to protect investor returns
Our Property Developers & Projects Services
We provide legal support for Australian property developers across the full project lifecycle, delivering commercial advice to mitigate risk & maximise returns across all aspects of property development:
01. Site Acquisition & Due Diligence
We conduct legal due diligence & negotiate acquisition contracts to expose hidden risks before you commit to a development site, including:
- Structuring acquisition deals, options & development agreements.
- Conducting title, planning & environmental due diligence to uncover fatal flaws.
- Advising on stamp duty, GST & complex property transactions.
02. Planning & Environment Approvals
We navigate local government schemes & environmental regulations to secure the necessary consents to get your project off the ground, including:
- Preparing & lodging development applications with local councils.
- Negotiating conditions of consent with statutory authorities.
- Managing objections & representing developers in planning tribunal appeals.
03. Structuring & Joint Ventures
We establish the optimal corporate framework to protect your assets, manage liability & facilitate efficient tax outcomes for your project, including:
- Advising on the right legal structure for your specific property development.
- Drafting joint venture & development management agreements.
- Structuring finance & security arrangements between project stakeholders.
04. Construction & Consultant Contracts
We draft & negotiate tailored building contracts to lock in project timelines, manage variations & prevent costly delays, including:
- Drafting bespoke & standard AS construction contracts for major projects.
- Negotiating agreements with architects, engineers & project managers.
- Advising on contract administration & managing security of payment claims.
05. Project Finance
We advise on funding structures & negotiate finance documentation to satisfy lender conditions & trigger timely drawdowns, including:
- Structuring senior debt, mezzanine finance & preferred equity arrangements.
- Reviewing loan agreements & security documents with private or institutional financiers.
- Assisting developers to meet conditions precedent for project funding.
06. Off-The-Plan Sales, Leasing & Strata
We manage the back-end property transactions to secure investor returns, from pre-sales to final settlement & commercial leasing, including:
- Preparing compliant off-the-plan contracts & managing purchaser rescission rights.
- Drafting agreements for lease & negotiating terms with commercial tenants.
- Registering strata plans & establishing body corporate rules for future residents.
07. Dispute Resolution & Litigation
We provide strategic advice & strong representation to resolve conflicts efficiently & protect your bottom line, including:
- Managing construction disputes over defects, delays & payment claims.
- Litigating planning appeals & environmental compliance issues.
- Resolving contractual disputes with purchasers, joint venture partners or landlords.
08. Strata, Body Corporate & Community Title
We help developers set up robust strata, body corporate & community title frameworks so projects are sale‑ready and manageable long after completion, including:
- Structuring & registering residential, commercial & industrial strata and community title schemes;
- Drafting community management statements, by‑laws & body corporate rules to suit your project;
- Advising on mixed‑use strata, shared facilities & complex ownership / usage rights.
09. Real Estate Funds & Capital Raising
We support fund managers, sponsors & investors on real estate fund structures, portfolio transactions & capital raisings, including:
- Structuring wholesale real estate funds & co‑investment vehicles for property assets;
- Advising on portfolio acquisitions, disposals & related due diligence for fund assets;
- Preparing and negotiating investment, subscription & security documentation for capital raisings.
Who We Act For
GRM LAW’s property development lawyers understand how complex projects are acquired, funded & delivered, acting as long-term counsel to the full spectrum of developers & stakeholders, including:
Boutique Property Developers
Private builders executing medium-density residential subdivisions & bespoke commercial projects across Australia.
Large-Scale Institutional Developers
Major property companies executing high-value, multi-stage national development projects & complex property transactions.
Commercial & Retail Developers
Commercial property groups building office towers, retail centres & mixed-use precincts to attract premium tenants.
Industrial & Logistics Developers
Firms transforming raw development sites into expansive warehouses, logistics parks & industrial estates.
Real Estate Fund Managers
Investment funds & capital partners structuring high-yield property syndication & complex joint ventures.
Landowners & Joint Venture Partners
Property owners unlocking site value through strategic partnerships with active Australian property developers.
Private Equity & Mezzanine Financiers
Non-bank lenders & equity partners funding major construction phases through rigorous due diligence.
Government & Statutory Authorities
Public sector entities driving urban renewal, social infrastructure & joint property initiatives.
Discuss Your Next Development Project
Our property development lawyers will contact you to discuss your project & outline next steps.
What Our Clients Say
How The Process Works
01.
Initial Project Strategy & Structuring
We assess your commercial objectives & establish the initial structure to mitigate property development risks.
02.
Site Acquisition & Due Diligence
We conduct due diligence & lead your acquisition negotiation to expose title flaws before settlement.
03.
Approvals, Finance & Construction
We navigate planning approvals, finalise finance & draft each construction agreement to prevent project delays.
04.
Sales, Leasing & Project Completion
We manage off-the-plan sales, strata titling & each commercial lease to finalise your property transactions.
Discuss Your Next Development Project
Our property development lawyers will contact you to discuss your project & outline next steps.
Why Choose GRM LAW
01. Full Development Lifecycle Expertise
We manage your development project from initial site acquisition through to final off-the-plan sales.
02. Proven Track Record On High‑Value Projects
We’ve advised on end‑to‑end development work for major projects including Yarrabilba Industrial, 17 Middle Road, Hillcrest, Smartstores@Citiswich, Smartstores@Metroplex & Zen Sherwood apartments, as well as multiple industrial development site acquisitions across South East Queensland.
03. Expert Regulatory Navigation
We secure complex planning and environment approvals to keep your property development on schedule.
04. Commercial Focus & Pragmatism
We structure complex property transactions & joint ventures to directly advance your commercial objectives.
05. Proactive Risk Management
We execute rigorous due diligence & draft robust building contracts to mitigate costly project risks.
06. Efficiency & Responsiveness
We deliver timely advice & rapid contract turnarounds to prevent expensive site holding delays.
Meet Gavin McInnes
Gavin McInnes is an award-winning property development lawyer with nearly 20 years’ experience advising Australian property developers on complex property transactions & project structuring. He combines deep legal knowledge with practical commercial acumen to protect your interests across the entire development lifecycle.
- Accredited Specialist in Business Law & consistently recognised in Doyle’s Guide & Lawyers Weekly
- Extensive experience in property law, construction law & complex corporate structuring
- Adept at navigating planning regulations, structuring joint ventures & resolving construction disputes
When Gavin advises on your property development project, you get strategic, results-oriented advice that ensures your project is structured robustly & completed without costly delays.
Selected Development Experience
Our property development team has advised on a wide range of industrial, commercial & mixed‑use projects across Queensland & nationally, including:
Yarrabilba Industrial, QLD
Complete development work for a 45‑lot industrial strata estate within a master‑planned community.
17 Middle Road, Hillcrest
Complete development work for a 38‑lot strata industrial project, including site acquisition, construction & consultant contracts, off‑the‑plan sales & strata establishment.
Smartstores@Citiswich & Smartstores@Metroplex
Complete development work for multi‑stage industrial strata projects, managing development agreements, AS‑based construction contracts, pre‑sales programs & project completion.
Zen Sherwood Apartments
Complete development work for a residential apartment development, including pre‑sales documentation, project finance support & body corporate setup.
Key Industrial Development Sites
Acquisition, structuring & due diligence for industrial development sites at 183 Hume Drive, Bundamba; 139 Bunya Road, Arana Hills; 72 Metroplex Place, Wacol; and Lot 18 Bromfield Drive / Lot 19 Berry Lane, Bonogin.
Major Commercial Towers For GDI Property Group
Acquisition & subsequent sale of 307 Queen Street, Brisbane (A$113m acquisition; A$141m sale), and acquisitions of 50 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise & 235 Stanley Place, Townsville, including complex leasing & strata arrangements.
Recognition & Awards
Key Legal Issues In Property Development
Structuring For Risk
Choosing the right legal structure early protects your personal assets & project returns. A tailored structure dictates how profits are taxed & how liabilities are contained.
Joint ventures often require specific unit trusts or corporate vehicles to manage stakeholder risk. Our property development lawyers advise on optimal structures to protect your commercial objectives.
Navigating Planning Laws
Local government planning schemes heavily restrict what you can build on a site. Overlooking environmental overlays or zoning limits during due diligence can derail a development project.
Strict compliance with state regulations is required to secure development approvals. Experienced property lawyers help you navigate these complex legal challenges before you finalise an acquisition.
Securing Project Finance
Institutional lenders require strict legal prerequisites before releasing project funds. Financiers will scrutinise your pre-sales, lease agreements & construction contracts.
Failing to perfect security documentation often causes costly funding delays. We draft & negotiate finance agreements to ensure timely drawdowns for your development cycle.
Managing Construction Risk
Standard building contracts rarely protect a developer from critical project delays. Poorly drafted agreements expose you to severe cost blowouts & security of payment claims.
Every construction phase requires special conditions to allocate risk appropriately. Our legal team provides strategic advice to manage construction risk & prevent costly litigation.
Discuss Your Next Development Project
Our property development lawyers will contact you to discuss your project & outline next steps.
Legal & Compliance Insights
Frequently Asked Questions
When should we engage a property development lawyer for a new project?
You should engage a property development lawyer during the initial site acquisition & due diligence phase. Early involvement allows us to uncover fatal title flaws or planning constraints before you sign binding contracts of sale. Speak with our property development lawyers to get started.
What legal structures are best for a property development joint venture?
The ideal structure depends entirely on your commercial objectives, tax position & liability profile. We frequently advise property developers on establishing unit trusts, companies, or formal joint ventures to shield assets & minimise tax. Our lawyers provide tailored advice to ensure your property transactions are structured robustly.
How do you handle planning & environmental approval appeals?
We manage appeals by directly negotiating with local government authorities & representing you in planning tribunals. Our goal is to navigate complex planning and environment regulations efficiently to secure the consents required to break ground. We deliver strategic advice to keep your development project on schedule.
What are the legal risks of off-the-plan sales?
The primary legal risks involve strict disclosure requirements, sunset clauses & managing purchaser rescission rights. We draft compliant off-the-plan agreements & manage contract administration to secure investor returns at settlement. Our property development lawyers work to mitigate these risks so your income realisation is protected.
How can we protect ourselves in construction contracts?
You can protect your commercial interests by including tailored special conditions in standard AS contracts or bespoke building contracts. We draft & negotiate these agreements to strictly manage project delays, variations & defect liabilities. This proactive risk management prevents costly security of payment claims down the line.
What is required to satisfy project finance conditions precedent?
Satisfying conditions precedent generally requires executing specific loan agreements, perfecting security documentation & providing necessary guarantor advice. We review your debt facilities & negotiate with financiers to trigger timely funding drawdowns for your development project. Our extensive experience ensures this critical financing stage proceeds without unnecessary delays.
How do you resolve disputes with builders or contractors?
We resolve construction conflicts through strategic alternative dispute resolution, mediation, or formal litigation if necessary. Our lawyers assist with litigating defect claims & managing security of payment disputes to protect your bottom line. We aim to resolve these complex legal challenges quickly to minimise disruption to your development cycle.
Can you assist with establishing a body corporate or owners corporation?
Yes, we manage the entire legal setup process for strata-titled developments across Australia. We prepare and coordinate the registration of strata plans, community management statements & caretaking agreements to establish clear rules for future residents. This ensures your project transitions smoothly from construction to final settlement.
Books By Gavin McInnes
Practical guides on structuring, asset protection and private credit in Australia.
Protect Your Assets
A plain‑English guide to protecting your home, business interests and investments under Australian law. Written for business owners, professionals and families who want to keep what they’ve built safe from avoidable risk.
Private Credit In Australia (Coming Soon)
A forthcoming guide to structuring, documenting and managing private credit transactions in the Australian market, written for lenders, sponsors and their advisers.
Explore Our Other Practice Areas
Deep expertise across corporate, banking & finance, property and related commercial work.
Private Lenders & Non‑Bank Finance
Strategic loan, security & enforcement advice for private credit funds, family offices & non‑bank lenders across Australia.
Property Developers & Projects
End‑to‑end legal support for property developers from site acquisition & approvals through to construction, sales, leasing & disputes.
Business Acquisitions & Disposals
Buy‑side & sell‑side advice on business and share sales, from initial structuring and due diligence through to completion.
Corporate & Commercial Advisory
Ongoing corporate, governance & commercial contracts advice for private companies, family businesses & investors.
Structuring & Asset Protection
Structuring businesses, investments & personal wealth to manage risk, protect assets and support long‑term succession.
Franchising
Establishing, growing & restructuring franchise networks, including franchise agreements, disclosure, compliance & exits.
IP & Technology
Protecting and commercialising intellectual property, software & technology through tailored licensing, development & sale agreements.
Real Estate Funds & Capital Raising
Advising real estate fund managers, sponsors & investors on fund structures, capital raisings & transaction execution across Australia.
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