OUR SERVICES

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE LAW

We understand the intricacies and complexity of local government from working both for, and within, government authorities. Our expertise extends to all areas of local government and administrative decision-making, including statutory interpretation, the powers of Council and its authorised officers, authorisations and delegations, and judicial and merits reviews.

We review and draft local laws, policies and guidelines which are clear and enforceable and which enable our clients to exercise their powers in line with their objectives.

TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

At Sherwell Harrison Munro, we are strong proponents of continual professional development and can deliver a training program tailored to your needs. Our training programs provide in-depth and practical knowledge to equip you and your teams with the tools to deal with the challenges of governance and regulatory compliance.

PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT

We have extensive experience in assisting our clients achieve compliance with planning permits, planning schemes and section 173 agreements. We work with our clients to prosecute contraventions of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 in the Magistrates’ Court, obtain enforcement and interim enforcement orders in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, and draft enforceable planning scheme amendments.

BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION

We have a thorough understanding of the Building Act, Regulations and Code and work with our clients to achieve compliance through prosecutions, injunctions, and negotiations with national corporations with large-scale operations through to individual home builders.

DOMESTIC ANIMALS

We work closely with our clients, helping them to understand their powers and to enforce the various provisions under the Domestic Animals Act 1994. The Act is complex and be assist Councils to work through the complexities to make declarations to ensure public safety.

We assist our clients with all matters under the Act, including registrations, dog attacks, menacing and dangerous dog declarations and reviews of Council decisions in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

PUBLIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

 Identifying and abating a nuisance can be a difficult process for all parties involved. Our expert knowledge can help with lessening the pressure and streamlining the process of resolving nuisance complaints.

We also assist clients with matters relating to food premises and prescribed accommodation, including registrations and compliance with the Food Act 1984 and Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008.