We are delighted to share that Rhodie Anderson — Partner, Reto Hofmann — Special Counsel, and our Planning & Environment practice have been recognised in the 2025 Doyle’s Planning & Environment Guides for Victoria.
Category: Planning & Environment
Our latest news and insights
A collection of articles, case studies and media releases highlighting the latest in legal news and at Rigby Cooke Lawyers.

What you need to know about the windfall gains tax
The windfall gains tax (WGT) is a new tax that is imposed on the increase in value of property in Victoria as a result of a rezoning of that land.

Rigby Cooke Lawyers promotes eight lawyers, including Victoria Comino and Christian Teese to partner, effective 1 July 2024
Rigby Cooke Lawyers is delighted to announce the promotion of eight lawyers across five practice areas.

Rigby Cooke Lawyers recognised in Best Law Firms™ – Australia
We are pleased to share the news that five of our practice areas, including Corporate & Commercial, Customs & Trade, Planning & Environment, Property and Wills, Trusts & Estates, have been recognised by Best Lawyers in their inaugural edition of Best Law Firms™ – Australia.

Rigby Cooke Lawyers’ partners named in the 17th edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia™
We are pleased to announce that five of our esteemed partners have been recognised in the 17th edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia™.

Rigby Cooke Lawyers’ Rhodie Anderson recognised as a ‘preeminent’ lawyer in the Doyle’s Planning & Environment Guide for 2024
We are delighted to share the news that Rhodie Anderson, Partner – Planning & Environment, and our Planning & Environment practice have again been recognised for their exceptional work in the Doyle’s Planning & Environment Guides for Victoria.

Six partners from Rigby Cooke Lawyers named in the 16th edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia™
Rigby Cooke Lawyers is pleased to announce that six of our esteemed partners across six practice areas have been recognised in the 16th edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia™.

Rigby Cooke Lawyers’ Rhodie Anderson and Planning & Environment practice recognised in the Doyle’s Planning & Environment Guide for 2023
Rigby Cooke Lawyers is pleased to announce that Rhodie Anderson, Partner, and our Planning & Environment practice have been recognised for their exceptional work in the Doyle’s Planning & Environment Guides for Victoria, 2023.

VCAT’s new Fast Track List is now in effect — here’s what you need to know
On 1 July 2022, the Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) introduced its new Fast Track List.

Rigby Cooke Lawyers Planning & Environment team receive Doyles Guide recognition
Rigby Cooke Lawyers’ Planning & Environment team have again been recognised for their exceptional work in the Victorian planning space.

Windfall Gains Tax is now law
The Windfall Gains Tax and State Taxation and Other Acts Further Amendment Act 2021 (the Act) received Royal Assent on 30 November 2021.

The Windfall Gains Tax is on the way
During the 2021 Victorian State Budget, the Government announced that it would introduce a ‘windfall gains tax’ (WGT) that would apply to large windfall gains associated with planning decisions to rezone land.

The risks of nominating and land development
The State Revenue Office (SRO) has released a revenue ruling (DA-064) which sets out its views on the meaning of ‘land development’ in the context of the sub-sale provisions.

Doyles Guide recognition for Rigby Cooke Lawyers Planning & Environment team
Rigby Cooke Lawyers’ Planning & Environment team have again been recognised for their exceptional work in the Victorian planning space.
The Legal Life – meet Gemma Robinson
Gemma Robinson is a Senior Associate in our Planning & Environment group.
Gemma shares her favourite holiday spot and her best piece of advice for lawyers starting out today.
The Legal Life – meet Reto Hofmann
Reto Hofmann is a Special Counsel in our Planning & Environment group, with 15 years of expertise in the planning law jurisdiction.
Reto shares some notable career challenges and his goals for 2020.
The Legal Life – meet Rhodie Anderson
Rhodie Anderson is a Partner and group leader in our Planning & Environment team, with expertise covering planning, environment and property. With more than 20 years of experience, Rhodie specialises in planning and environmental law issues for predominantly developer clients.

Recognition for Rigby Cooke Lawyers Planning and Environment team
Rigby Cooke Lawyers’ Planning and Environment team continue to be recognised for their outstanding work in the planning space in Victoria.

Recognition for Rigby Cooke Lawyers Planning and Environment team
Rigby Cooke Lawyers’ Planning and Environment team continues to be recognised for their outstanding work in the planning space in Victoria.

Maintaining a lawful camping and caravan park use under planning controls
In early 2018, Greater Shepparton City Council (Council) initiated an application to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) for a declaration that a camping and caravan park in Shepparton East had transformed from a camping and caravan park to a residential village or retirement village as a result of four new high quality long term cabins being constructed within the park.

High-rise apartment building loses three floors to protect emergency helicopter flight path
Rigby Cooke Lawyers successfully represents Melbourne Health and the Department of Health and Human Services in VCAT application to reduce height of North Melbourne apartment tower.
Earlier this month, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal ordered a developer to reduce the height of its apartment building to avoid interrupting helicopter access to the Royal Melbourne Hospital helipad.