Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 is one of the largest transport infrastructure projects currently underway in Western Sydney. As construction progresses, property owners along the corridor should understand what the project involves, whether their land may be affected, and how to protect their position when it comes to compensation.
Transport for NSW has released the environmental assessment and concept design for the long-awaited Princes Highway upgrade between Jervis Bay Road at Falls Creek and Hawken Road at Tomerong. The $500 million project is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments, and it has reached a significant milestone: landowners whose properties may be affected have now been contacted directly by Transport for NSW.
If your property is being impacted by road widening by Transport for New South Wales, you have important rights you need to know about. And here's some great news for you: unlike other acquiring authorities where approaches vary, Transport NSW has a consistent and fair approach to legal fees, and we have a strong track record of cost recovery.
If your property has been marked for future government acquisition – whether for a park, road widening, or transport corridor – but there's no timeframe for when this will actually happen, you may be entitled to force early acquisition under NSW's hardship provisions. Currently, these are among the most common compulsory acquisition matters being handled by specialist lawyers.
If your property is being impacted by road widening by Transport for New South Wales, you have important rights you need to know about. And here's some great news for you: unlike other acquiring authorities where approaches vary, Transport NSW has a consistent and fair approach to legal fees, and we have a strong track record of cost recovery.
Is your property being impacted by a Transport for NSW road widening project? Don't accept that first offer – you could be entitled to significantly more compensation than you realise.
Transport for NSW is moving forward with plans for seven major road corridors around the new Western Sydney International Airport. While the project promises to transform the region into a thriving economic hub, property owners along these proposed routes need to understand what this means for their land—and their rights.
Sydney Water acquisitions—whether involving land, easements, or infrastructure rights—can have significant implications for property owners and developers. Understanding your legal rights and deploying strategic responses is essential to ensure fair treatment and maximise your outcome.
When Sydney Water notifies you that part of your property is needed for an infrastructure project—such as a pipeline, sewer upgrade, or easement—you’ll likely receive a formal compensation notice. While it may look comprehensive, there’s a lot it doesn’t tell you about your rights, options, and the true impact on your land.
If Sydney Water approaches you about acquiring part of your land for infrastructure—such as pipelines, reservoirs, or easements—it’s essential to understand your rights and how to negotiate effectively.
In Sydney, property owners may encounter easement acquisitions by Sydney Water for essential infrastructure projects such as pipelines, pumping stations, or stormwater systems. An easement grants Sydney Water a legal right to access and maintain infrastructure on your land without transferring ownership.
If your property is affected by the Mamre Road widening or Elizabeth Drive road widening project, it's crucial to understand your rights under the Just Terms Compensation Act 1991 (NSW) before signing any compensation agreement.
If your property is impacted by the Mamre Road widening project, you may be entitled to more compensation than you think under the Just Terms Compensation Act 1991 (NSW).
Here are 5 key rights many landowners aren’t aware of:
Here are 5 rights Elizabeth Drive landowners affected by road widening often do not realise they have under the Just Terms Compensation Act 1991 (NSW):
The NSW Government (through Transport for NSW) has recently issued opening letters for compulsory acquisition of land for the upgrade and widening of Elizabeth Drive. The works include new ramps onto the M7 motorway.
EnergyCo letters of offer for high voltage power line easements are now being issued for the Hunter Transmission Project around Gouldsville, Cedar Creek, Millfield and Wollombi.
Transgrid letters of offer for high voltage power line easements are now being issued for the VNI West project around Moulamein, Wanganella, Moonbria and Jerilderie.
The upgrade will involve compulsory acquisition of properties on the south side of Fifteenth Avenue between Cowpasture and Devonshire Roads, which are already
zoned for this purpose. Further compulsory acquisitions may be required on the north side of Fifteenth Avenue to widen roadways that cross Fifteenth Avenue, but this is not clear at this time.
As of 2024, Austral, a suburb in Western Sydney, is experiencing a significant transformation. Once marked by rural properties with large two-hectare blocks, the area is now being redeveloped into a bustling suburb with substantial housing developments.
The Illabo to Stockinbingal section of the Inland Rail project has been approved by the NSW Government. The Illabo to Stockinbingal section is expected to commence construction in 2025 and forms part of the larger Inland Rail project which will see freight able to travel between Melbourne and Brisbane in less than 24 hours.
The Victoria to NSW Interconnector West – known as VNI West – is a proposed new 500 kV double circuit transmission line connecting the high voltage electricity grids of New South Wales and Victoria.The Australian Energy Regulator announced its decision in May 2024 to approve investment in early works for VNI West.
The current key Western Sydney land acquisition projects include the Aerotropolis , Austral, Leppington and Edmondson Park. Each of these locations have forced acquisition of land or easements to create infrastructure for new housing estates all across the South Western Sydney area.
The NSW Government has announced the Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 project has signed a $322 million contract awarded to John Holland Pty Ltd to deliver the first part of the project – construction of the first 1.3km of new light rail alignment, including a 320m bridge over the Parramatta River.
Land acquisition (or resumption) has commenced for the Hunter and Central Coast REZ by EnergyCo for the purpose of High Voltage Transmission Lines. Land owners have recently received an ‘Opening Letter’ from EnergyCo which marks the start of the compulsory acquisition process.
As compulsory acquisition lawyers, specialising in land and easement acquisitions, FM Legal acts against Sydney Water to ensure you receive full and fair compensation for the compulsory acquisition of your property for pipelines, pumping stations, and other water infrastructure. FM Legal only acts for affected landowners in seek full compensation, we don’t ever act for Sydney Water.
A construction easement is important, particularly for access to land owned by private landowners whilst a project is constructed by Government.
The first letter you will receive from EnergyCo regarding property acquisition August 19, 2024 FM Legal Once EnergyCo has made the decision to acquire an easement over your property for high voltage electricity lines, the first piece of correspondence will be an opening letter. The opening letter is a very important communication and is the […]
New England Renewable Energy Zone August 8, 2024 FM Legal The New England Renewable Energy Zone is important, particularly for compulsory acquisition of land. The New England Renewable Energy Zone is located in northern New South Wales (NSW). It is a proposed high voltage transmission line project to enable renewable energy to be fed into […]
The NSW Government is finally conducting a thorough review into the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991 (‘the Act’) in response to the 2022 parliamentary inquiry into the acquisition of land in relation to major transport projects. We are delighted to see this review, as whilst previous reviews have mitigated the prejudice against owners […]
Navigating the complex landscape of compulsory acquisition in NSW can be daunting, especially when one's valuable property is at stake. Sydney, in particular, has witnessed a surge in such cases, throwing many property owners into a whirlwind of legalities and uncertainties. Enter FM Legal, your Sydney-based guide and specialist, aiming to demystify this intricate process. […]
Sally Dale, valuer, has been appointed to the position of the new Valuer General of New South Wales. She has replaced David Parker who has been transferred to hear compulsory acquisition matters in the Land and Environment Court as a Commissioner. In compulsory acquisitions, when parties involved in the acquisition process fail to reach a […]
The NSW Labor Party has been accused of abandoning western Sydney locals with its decision to pull back on two Metro projects proposed by the Perrottet Government
Critics view the new Beaches Link report as failing to address the major concerns of the community.
The recent Submissions Report released by the Transport forNSW deflects community concerns to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment citing the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 as removing “the direct involvement of the proponent (Transport for NSW) in the management of submissions received.” The Submissions Report continues to explain that the project proponent was “required to consider and respond to the submissions raised.”
Professor Roberta Ryan of the University of Newcastle has been appointed by the NSW Government to be the Independent Community Commissioner for the Western Sydney Aerotropolis Professor Ryan's new role involves addressing the concerns of landowners affected by the development of the Aerotropolis. This includes recommendations regarding strategic land acquisitions, providing access to expert advice […]
In what is hailed by the Law Council of Australia as an achievement in the push to establish a more evenhanded climate for ladies lawyers, the principal tranche of information from the pinnacle body's Equitable Briefing Policy has been delivered. Launched in 2016 to an eager legal community, the policy encourages organisations to take all reasonable […]
By: Grace Ormsby 26 April 2019 Victoria has made its newest judicial appointment in the Supreme Court. Jacinta Forbes QC has been announced by the Attorney-General as the court’s newest judge, taking up the role recently vacated by Honourable Justice Gregory Garde. Ms Forbes joined the Victorian Bar in 2000 and was appointed Queens Counsel […]
Sol Dolor 23 Mar 2019 Eighteen of the nation’s top law firms have supported the Uluru Statement from the Heart. The firms supporting the call for the First Nations to have their voice enshrined in the Australian Constitution are: Allens Arnold Bloch Leibler Ashurst Baker McKenzie Clayton Utz Corrs Chambers Westgarth Dentons DLA Piper Fisher […]
Sol Dolor. 01 Mar 2017 Top legal bodies in Australia have renewed calls for greater gender equality and inclusion in the law as a new study shows a marked disparity in representation between men and women barristers before the High Court. George Williams AO, UNSW’s dean of law, recently wrote in The Sydney Morning Herald […]
Sol Dolor 24 Aug 2018 The Law Council of Australia is recommending that justice impact tests be introduced at the Commonwealth, state, and territory levels. The nation’s peak body for the legal profession made the recommendation as it released the final report of “The Justice Project,” a comprehensive, national review that began early last […]
