Confidently navigate significant change to the NSW planning system. As the 2026 reforms fundamentally reshape approvals, controls and enforcement, focus on how the new regime operates in practice - and where legal and procedural risk now sits. Across three targeted sessions, you will gain practical insight into Planning Agreements, Development Control Orders and a practical guide to the New EP&A Act. Essential attendance for lawyers, planners and advisers who must guide clients and projects through significant planning reforms in NSW.
Description
Attend full series and earn 2 CPD points in Substantive Law
This program is based on NSW legislation
If you register for the full series as a live online product after the date of an individual session, you will be sent the recording for the sessions that have passed. Alternatively, you can register for individual sessions by following the links below.
The New EP&A Act: Implications for Consent, Compliance and Risk
Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Gain practical insight into the amended Environmental Planning & Assessment Act, including key provisions commencing from March and April 2026 and those still to come. Walk away with a clear understanding of how the changes affect day‑to‑day decision‑making and compliance.
1.00pm to 2.00pm The New EP&A Act in Practice
• Operation of the amended EP&A Act in plan making and development assessment
• Practical impact of commenced and upcoming amendments from March–April 2026
• Implications for consent authority powers, compliance and legal risk
Presented by Mark Bonanno, Senior Lawyer, Canterbury-Bankstown Council and Bianca Collingwood, Barrister, Martin Place Chambers
Description
Attend and earn 1 CPD unit in Substantive Law
This program is based on NSW legislation
* This interactive online recording includes questions and quizzes requiring critical thinking about the topics, so you have no annual limits to the number of points/hours you can claim with this format of learning. Please verify with your CPD rules
Chair:
Marc Jaku, Legal Practitioner Director, Jaku Legal; Doyle's Guide Leading Town Planning & Development Lawyers - New South Wales, 2018 – 2026
Presenters
Mark Bonanno, Senior Lawyer, Canterbury-Bankstown CouncilMark Bonanno is an Accredited Specialist in Property Law who has almost a quarter of a century of experience. His practice concentrates mainly on planning and development. Mark has acted for developers in high rise residential developments from acquisition to sale, including Land & Environment Court litigation to support proponents. He has also acted for several banks undertaking mortgage certification work for Bendigo & Adelaide Bank, Mortgage One and other lenders. Mark has also appeared for several NSW Councils in Class 1, 2, and 4 matters, and undertaken Class 5 prosecutions. Currently Mark is a Senior Lawyer at City of Canterbury Bankstown.
Bianca Collingwood, Barrister, Martin Place Chambers
Since being called to the Bar, Bianca has been advising and appearing for clients in a variety of matters including in the Land and Environment in merit appeals (development appeals and Tree applications), building, construction and strata matters in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal, real property proceedings in the Supreme Court and civil and criminal proceedings in the Local Court.
Marc Jaku, Legal Practitioner Director, Jaku Legal
Marc has worked as an Environment and Planning Lawyer in NSW since 2005, except for one year when he worked in International Environmental Law as a Registered Foreign Lawyer in Hong Kong in 2008 – 2009. In 2013, Marc established Jaku Legal in Sydney, a boutique Environment and Planning Law firm, specialising in the use of land, development assessment and land use planning and approvals in NSW, with a particular focus on planning and development appeals in the Land and Environment Court of NSW. Marc is also an accredited mediator.
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Development Control Orders and Class 1 Appeals – Tricks and Traps
Tuesday, 2 June 2026
This session provides a practical and timely exploration of Development Control Orders, including a recap of key procedural requirements and the different types of DCOs that may be issued. Examine the nature and conduct of Class 1 appeals relating to DCOs, with insights into common pitfalls for practitioners.
Description
Attend and earn 1 CPD unit in Substantive Law
This program is based on NSW legislation
1.00pm to 2.00pm Development Control Orders – Tricks and Traps
- Recap of procedural requirements and different kinds of DCOs that may be issued.
- Understanding the nature of Class 1 appeals in respect of DCOs.
- Some recent case law of interest.
Presented by Angus Hannam, Barrister, Martin Place Chambers
Chair:
Ryan Bennett, Partner, Pikes & Verekers; Doyle’s Guide Recommended Planning & Development Lawyer NSW 2026
Presenters
Ryan Bennett, Partner, Pikes & Verekers
With over 18 years' experience in the area of planning and environmental law, Ryan has extensive experience in the Land and Environment Court, particularly in its Class 1 jurisdiction (planning appeals). Ryan has a strategic and commercially based approach to his clients’ planning and environmental matters. He employs a solution-driven methodology to resolving his clients’ issues, aiming to keep them out of Court where possible. Ryan believes that successful development involves a whole-of-development approach and an understanding of the strategic goals of his clients. He works hard to understand these goals early in the client relationship so that both parties are working towards the same end. Through his tested approach, Ryan is able to effectively represent his clients’ interests in negotiating with all levels of government authorities to achieve the best possible outcome. Ryan is aware of the challenges of developers in producing high-quality development and of the competing political, economic and social issues faced by property developers and landowners. He strategically adapts his approach to each matter accordingly. Ryan prepares and conducts Land and Environment Court appeals in respect of the full spectrum of matters litigated in that jurisdiction, including single dwellings, subdivisions, large-scale subdivisions, large retail and commercial development, complex re-zonings, and high-density residential redevelopment. Throughout his career, Ryan has demonstrated an ability to carry out his work in a timely and competent manner. It is because of this skill that Ryan has a long standing group of clients that return with repeat work.
Angus Hannam, Barrister, Martin Place Chambers
Angus Hannam is a barrister at Martin Place Chambers in Sydney. He was called to the Bar in 2024 and specialises in planning and environmental law and adjacent areas of practice. He was listed by Doyles in 2026 as a Recommended Junior Counsel in Planning and Environment Law. Angus’ practice spans all classes of the Land and Environment Court’s jurisdiction. Angus has also appeared in the Local Court, NCAT and the Supreme Court of NSW. Prior to becoming a barrister, Angus worked as a solicitor in private practice at Johnson Winter Slattery from 2018-2024. In 2017, he was the tipstaff to the Hon Justice Campbell in the Common Law Division of the NSW Supreme Court
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