Tree disputes in the Land & Environment Court

Tree disputes are very common among neighbours.

The Trees (Disputes Between Neighbours) Act 2006, provides a method for resolving some of the tree disputes between neighbours.  Previously, common law action for nuisance had to be taken in the Supreme Court.

Applications can be made to the Land & Environment Court for orders concerning a neighbour’s tree or trees that cause or are likely to cause harm, or trees that form high hedges obstructing sunlight or views.

Under the Act, the Court can order a range of actions to stop, prevent or remedy the harm or obstruction.

Failure to comply with an order can result in further proceedings and a fine of up to $5500 (Trees Act, section 15).

G&B Lawyers are experienced litigators in the Land & Environment Court. 

We recently won an application in Court for the removal of several large trees which were damaging a sandstone retaining wall of a unit block. An order for compensation for the rectification works to the retaining wall was obtained for our client.

Here is a link to the judgment: https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/567b6fa2e4b0e71e17f4e428

If you have any tree issues with your neighbours, contact G&B Lawyers.

Office: Suite 1, Level 1, 229 Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000

Mail: GPO Box 1849, Sydney, NSW 2001

M: 0481 287 528

E: info@gandblawyers.com.au

W: www.gandblawyers.com.au

Bullying at work - what you need to know!

What is bullying in the workplace?  Bullying is the "repeated & unreasonable behaviour directed towards a worker or group of workers that creates a rick to health & safety".

Health & safety may also include the psychological health of the worker. 

It can also be intentional or unintentional and by done through social media (Facebook, Twitter etc).

Examples of workplace bullying can include:

• abusive / insulting / offensive language and / or comments;
• unjustified criticism or complaints;
• spreading misinformation or rumors;
• unreasonable timelines / deadlines;
• tasks that are unreasonably below or beyond the skill set of the workers;
• deliberately changing rosters / leave; and
• deliberately excluding someone from workplace activities.

If you are suffered from workplace bullying and think you may have a claim, contact the team at G&B Lawyers.

Office: Suite 1, Level 1, 229 Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000

Mail: GPO Box 1849, Sydney, NSW 2001

M: 0481 287 528

E: info@gandblawyers.com.au

W: www.gandblawyers.com.au

 

 

G&B Lawyers and the Sydney Kings

G&B Lawyers are proud corporate partners of the Sydney Kings 2015-2016 NBL season. 

 

See you courtside!

 

 

G&B Lawyers

 Office: Suite 1, Level 1, 229 Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000

Mail: GPO Box 1849, Sydney, NSW 2001

M: 0481 287 528

E: info@gandblawyers.com.au | kglassborow@gandblawyers.com.au

W: www.gandblawyers.com.au

 

Bought something off the plan that wasn’t to plan?

Bought something off the plan that wasn’t to plan?

When it comes to buying any property, knowing exactly what you are paying for is crucial. 

When it comes to buying off the plan, what is even more crucial is having certainty that what you are buying will actually be built to the specifications disclosed in the Contract for Sale.

Very often the ‘artist’s impressions’ of the final look of the property may not be consistent with what is delivered upon completion.  For instance, a missing bedroom or store-room is a major discrepancy. 

To avoid being stung with this outcome, it is important that you consider the following before you sign any Contract for Sale:

·         Visit the property site and check the location.

·         Carefully inspect the display home, models and ALL plans.

·         Investigate the fixtures, fittings and finishes.

·         Research the market conditions and speak to an expert to determine the property prices.

·         Research the developer.

·         Get a full Contract review by a solicitor.

If you have been caught out and bought something off the plan that wasn’t what you expected contact G&B Lawyers for assistance. 

G&B Lawyers

Office: Suite 1, Level 1, 229 Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000

Mail: GPO Box 1849, Sydney, NSW 2001

M: 0481 287 528

E: info@gandblawyers.com.au | kglassborow@gandblawyers.com.au

W: www.gandblawyers.com.au

 

 

Buy or sell property with G&B Lawyers

Conveyancing from $950
(plus GST and disbursements)

 

Conveyancing, Property Disputes, Development Applications and Property-related Litigation

 

Office: Suite 1, Level 1, 229 Macquarie Street, NSW 2000
Mail: GPO Box 1849, Sydney, NSW 2001

 

Kim Glassborow - Principal Lawyer

M: 0481 287 528

E: info@gandblawyers.com.au / kglassborow@gandblawyers.com.au

W: www.gandblawyers.com.au

 

G&B Lawyers - Property & Projects

G&B Lawyers are experts in getting Development Consents and property development.

Did you know that if Council refuses a Development Application (DA) you have a right of appeal to the Land & Environment Court.

Appealing your DA also includes DAs which have not been resolved by Council within a reasonable length of time.

The Land & Environment Court is a specialist court designed to hear and determine DA appeals involving all different types of development projects e.g. residential / commercial / industrial developments, childcare centres, retirement villages and waste depots (to name a few).

These DA appeals are not heard by Judges but specialist Commissioners who have practical experience with developments. 

Normally specialist lawyers appear for the parties to resolve the issues and run the hearing. 

In DA appeals you only have to pay your own lawyers fees, if you lose the appeal, who are not up for the winning side's legal fees.  In other courts, (Supreme & District) if you lose you will have to pay the other side's legal bill.  The rule in the Land & Environment Court is that each party pays their own legal costs.

G&B Lawyers has 10 years experience in running DA appeals in the Land & Environment Court.

We have run all sorts of appeals, childcare centres, retirement villages, major commercial developments, residential flat buildings, recycling waste facilities, landfills, hotels / pubs, churches, shop top housing, hobby farm developments and horse training facilities to name a few.

Contact the team at G&B Lawyers for a obligation-free chat on 0481 287 528.

Office: Suite 1, Level 1, 229 Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000

Mail: GPO Box 1849, Sydney, NSW 2001

M: 0481 287 528

E: info@gandblawyers.com.au

W: www.gandblawyers.com.au

Industry leader in waste law (NSW) - Kim Glassborow of G&B Lawyers

The Principal of G&B Lawyers, Kim Glassborow is a specialist planning & environmental lawyer who has spent years dealing with various different government agencies (EPA, local councils & Department of Planning & Infrastructure) and has a wealth of experience in the NSW waste management sector.

She presently advises many waste recycling companies on their legislative compliance and work, health and safety issues.

Kim advises developers and industry on issues relating to town planning, contaminated land, hazardous materials, environmental licensing, waste management and regulation, supply chain compliance and pollution incidents.

Kim also assists clients to obtain development and environmental licences and approvals, manage on-going environmental compliance, environmental incidents and all aspects of Land and Environmental Court litigation.

Kim has been retained by the Waste Contractors & Recyclers Association of NSW to provide specialist legal advice to the Association and its members. 

She is regarded as a leading expert in waste law and has practical experience having worked in-house for a large recycling / landfilling Sydney company.

Office: Suite 1, Level 1, 229 Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000

Mail: GPO Box 1849, Sydney, NSW 2001

M: 0481 287 528

E: info@gandblawyers.com.au | kglassborow@gandblawyers.com.au

W: www.gandblawyers.com.au

 

 

Workplace bullying - G&B Lawyers

What is bullying in the workplace?

 

Bullying is the "repeated & unreasonable behaviour directed towards a worker or group of workers that creates a rick to health & safety".

Health & safety may also include the psychological health of the worker. 

It can also be intentional or unintentional and by done through social media (Facebook, Twitter etc).

Examples of workplace bullying can include:

• abusive / insulting / offensive language and / or comments;
• unjustified criticism or complaints;
• spreading misinformation or rumors;
• unreasonable timelines / deadlines;
• tasks that are unreasonably below or beyond the skill set of the workers;
• deliberately changing rosters / leave; and
• deliberately excluding someone from workplace activities.

If you are suffered from workplace bullying and think you may have a claim, contact the team at G&B Lawyers.

Suite 1, Level 1, 229 Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000

Mail: GPO Box 1849, Sydney, NSW 2001

M: 0481 287 528

E: info@gandblawyers.com.au

W: www.gandblawyers.com.au

 

Changes to waste legal regulation in NSW from 1 August 2015

Waste licensing and levy changes in effect from this Saturday 1 August 2015

New measures to further modernise the NSW waste industry and ensure a level playing field for legitimate operators will come into effect from 1 August 2015. The changes include an expansion of the waste licensing and levy systems, stemming from the review of the Protection of the Environment Operations (Waste) Regulation 2014.

 

The Waste Regulation is designed to ensure all waste managers meet minimum performance requirements across the areas of waste storage, processing and transport, and protection of the environment and human health. The changes also include requirements to weigh waste accurately, keep minimum records and report to the EPA.

From 1 August, the EPA licensing thresholds for waste processing facilities, including for tyres, will be lowered, and a waste levy liability will apply at most licenced recycling facilities.  The waste levy liability will be extinguished when the waste leaves the site for lawful use or disposal.

These measures will help to ensure that waste is legitimately moved on to its end use in a timely way, whether to recycling or landfill, and strengthen the EPA’s oversight of waste management and movement.

The Waste Levy Guidelines have also been updated, and now apply to all levy liable facilities (including landfills and resource recovery facilities)

Information about the 1 August changes  is available on the EPA website http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/wasteregulation/wastechanges.htm

G&B Lawyers

 

Office: Suite 1, Level 1, 229 Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000

Mail: GPO Box 1849, Sydney, NSW 2001

M: 0481 287 528

E: info@gandblawyers.com.au | kglassborow@gandblawyers.com.au

W: www.gandblawyers.com.au

G&B Lawyers - Kim Glassborow

The Principal of G&B Lawyers, Kim Glassborow is a specialist planning & environmental lawyer who has spent years dealing with various different government agencies (EPA, local councils & Department of Planning & Infrastructure) and has a wealth of experience in the NSW waste management sector.

 

She presently advises many waste recycling companies on their legislative compliance and work, health and safety issues.

Kim advises developers and industry on issues relating to town planning, contaminated land, hazardous materials, environmental licensing, waste management and regulation, supply chain compliance and pollution incidents.

Kim also assists clients to obtain development and environmental licences and approvals, manage on-going environmental compliance, environmental incidents and all aspects of Land and Environmental Court litigation.

Kim has been retained by the Waste Contractors & Recyclers Association of NSW to provide specialist legal advice to its members. 

She is regarded as a leading expert in waste law and has practical experience having worked in-house for a large recycling / landfilling Sydney company.

Suite 1, Level 1, 229 Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000

Mail: GPO Box 1849, Sydney, NSW 2001

M: 0481 287 528

E: info@gandblawyers.com.au

W: www.gandblawyers.com.au

Changes to minimum wage and unfair dismissal claims

1 July 2015 signalled two significant changes for employers.

The first related to the increased thresholds for unfair dismissal claims.  The income cap for making an unfair dismissal claim has increased to $136,700 from 1 July 2015.

This means that employees who are not covered by an enterprise agreement or award are excluded from making an unfair dismissal claim if they are over this threshold.

The maximum compensation claim that can be awarded in a successful unfair dismissal claim has now increased to $68,350 (6 month’s salary based on the high income threshold).

The second change related to changes to the minimum rates of pay.  From 1 July 2015, the federal modern award wage rates increased 2.5%.  The weekly minimum wage rose to $656.90 or $17.29 per hour.

Employers must now ensure that they pass on the new wage rates as set by the Fair Work Commission.

Suite 1, Level 1, 229 Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000

Mail: GPO Box 1849, Sydney, NSW 2001

M: 0481 287 528

E: info@gandblawyers.com.au

W: www.gandblawyers.com.au

EPA - Waste Regulation Reforms Update

EPA – Waste Regulation Reforms 2015

Under the Protection of the Environment Operations (Waste) Regulation 2014, a number of changes have taken place and continue to unfold.

1 March – the generation of more than 10 tonnes of waste from the metropolitan levy area and transported outside of NSW will require monitoring via the existing EPA online waste tracking system.

1 July – transportation of asbestos loads will be assigned a unique consignment code to allow the EPA to monitor the load from the site of generation to ultimate disposal.

1 August – scheduled waste facility operators will hold a ‘waste levy liability’ when the waste is received at the facility and occupiers of licensed landfills will be required to report to the EPA on the type and amount of waste received and disposed (even when not required to pay the levy).

Scheduled facility operators will have to pay the waste levy where the waste is:

·         Stockpiled on site for more than 12 months (unless it has been processed to a standard required by a resource recovery order);

·         Stockpiled above lawful limits; or

·         Transported for unlawful disposal.

The objectives behind these reforms were to:

·         Remove the incentive to stockpile;

·         Illegally dump non-recyclable wastes; and

·         Shift the levy liability from landfill gate to recycling gate.

 

The Principal of G&B Lawyers, Kim Glassborow is a specialist planning & environmental lawyer who has spent years dealing with various different government agencies (EPA, local councils & Department of Planning & Infrastructure) and has a wealth of experience in the NSW waste management sector.

 

She presently advises many waste recycling companies on their legislative compliance and work, health and safety issues.

Kim advises developers and industry on issues relating to town planning, contaminated land, hazardous materials, environmental licensing, waste management and regulation, supply chain compliance and pollution incidents.

Kim also assists clients to obtain development and environmental licences and approvals, manage on-going environmental compliance, environmental incidents and all aspects of Land and Environmental Court litigation.

Kim has been retained by the Waste Contractors & Recyclers Association of NSW to provide specialist legal advice to its members. 

She is regarded as a leading expert in waste law and has practical experience having worked in-house for a large recycling / landfilling Sydney company.

 

 

Suite 1, Level 1, 229 Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000

Mail: GPO Box 1849, Sydney, NSW 2001

M: 0481 287 528

E: info@gandblawyers.com.au

W: www.gandblawyers.com.au

 

 

 

 

 

Buying or selling a property? Speak to G&B Lawyers today

Conveyancing from $950
(plus GST and disbursements)

 

Conveyancing, Property Disputes, Development Applications and Property-related Litigation

 

Suite 1, Level 1, 229 Macquarie Street, NSW 2000
Mail: GPO Box 1849, Sydney, NSW 2001

 

Kim Glassborow - Principal Lawyer

M: 0481 287 528

E: info@gandblawyers.com.au / kglassborow@gandblawyers.com.au

W: www.gandblawyers.com.au

 

 

Land & Environment Court litigation serices at G&B Lawyers

At G&B Lawyers we challenged refusals of development applications, orders issued by Local Councils and unlawfully granted development consents. 

 

Kim Glassborow, Principal of the firm, is an experienced litigator in the Land and Environment Court with over 10 years experience.

 

She is a published author of the Lexis Nexis publication on the Land and Environment Court Act and Rules and former Chair of the NSW Young Lawyers Planning & Environmental Law Committee.

Suite 1, Level 1, 229 Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000

Mail: GPO Box 1849, Sydney, NSW 2001

M: 0481 287 528

E: info@gandblawyers.com.au

W: www.gandblawyers.com.au

Leading waste industry lawyer - Kim Glassborow G&B Lawyers

The Principal of G&B Lawyers, Kim Glassborow is a specialist planning & environmental lawyer who has spent years dealing with various different government agencies (EPA, local councils & Department of Planning & Infrastructure) and has a wealth of experience in the NSW waste management sector.

She presently advises many waste recycling companies on their legislative compliance and work, health and safety issues.

Kim advises developers and industry on issues relating to town planning, contaminated land, hazardous materials, environmental licensing, waste management and regulation, supply chain compliance and pollution incidents.

Kim also assists clients to obtain development and environmental licences and approvals, manage on-going environmental compliance, environmental incidents and all aspects of Land and Environmental Court litigation.

Kim has been retained by the Waste Contractors & Recyclers Association of NSW to provide specialist legal advice to its members. 

She is regarded as a leading expert in waste law and has practical experience having worked in-house for a large recycling / landfilling Sydney company.

 

 

Suite 1, Level 1, 229 Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000

Mail: GPO Box 1849, Sydney, NSW 2001

M: 0481 287 528

E: info@gandblawyers.com.au

W: www.gandblawyers.com.au