--- title: "NSW Planning, Environment & Compulsory Acquisition Lawyers" description: "NSW legal advice on planning, environment, approvals, local government and land access. Compulsory acquisition advice for affected landowners and businesses." canonical: https://stonepillar.com.au/ language: en-AU last_updated: 2026-10-22 source_revision: 1296179e97249d22fa332459637b866a57239ff0 publisher: "Stone & Pillar Legal" --- New South Wales # Where public power meets private land. We advise on the use, development and regulation of land. Our compulsory acquisition practice acts for affected landowners and businesses. [Book a complimentary call](https://stonepillar.com.au/contact/#schedule) [Request a call back](https://stonepillar.com.au/contact/#enquiry) ![Michael Themis](https://stonepillar.com.au/michael-themis-hero-600.jpg) **Michael Themis**, Principal Solicitor. Trained at Herbert Smith Freehills and King & Wood Mallesons, with senior in-house experience across the Commonwealth and New South Wales governments. - Compulsory acquisition - Planning and environment - Land and Environment Court - Local government Your situation ## Identify the issue affecting your land, project or business. Select the issue closest to your circumstances for an overview of the relevant decision, evidence and procedural options. 1. [Compulsory acquisition & compensation](https://stonepillar.com.au/services/compulsory-acquisition/) ### [A public project is taking, or affecting, your land](https://stonepillar.com.au/services/compulsory-acquisition/) [If a public authority has approached you about acquiring your land, given you a proposed acquisition notice or made a compensation offer, we can help you understand your position and the next steps. We advise affected landowners and businesses on the acquisition process, compensation and related disputes.](https://stonepillar.com.au/services/compulsory-acquisition/) [Read more](https://stonepillar.com.au/services/compulsory-acquisition/) 2. [Planning & development](https://stonepillar.com.au/services/planning-development/) ### [Your development application was refused, delayed or conditioned](https://stonepillar.com.au/services/planning-development/) [Refusals and conditions may turn on planning controls, assessment and evidence. A deemed refusal arises when the consent authority has not determined an application within the prescribed period. We advise on approval pathways, modifications, reviews and Class 1 merits appeals.](https://stonepillar.com.au/services/planning-development/) [Read more](https://stonepillar.com.au/services/planning-development/) 3. [Environment & regulation](https://stonepillar.com.au/services/environmental-regulation/) ### [You have received an EPA notice or an environmental order](https://stonepillar.com.au/services/environmental-regulation/) [Contamination, clean-up, biodiversity and water obligations carry real cost and risk. We help you meet the notice, deal with the regulator, and defend enforcement.](https://stonepillar.com.au/services/environmental-regulation/) [Read more](https://stonepillar.com.au/services/environmental-regulation/) 4. [Government, land & infrastructure](https://stonepillar.com.au/services/land-access-easements/) ### [A project wants access, or an easement, over your land](https://stonepillar.com.au/services/land-access-easements/) [We advise on roads, easements, statutory access and works deeds, including access rights, proposed terms and the effect of the works before an agreement is signed.](https://stonepillar.com.au/services/land-access-easements/) [Read more](https://stonepillar.com.au/services/land-access-easements/) 5. [Something else](https://stonepillar.com.au/contact/) ### [Your situation is not one of these](https://stonepillar.com.au/contact/) [Tell us briefly what has happened and who is involved, and we will say plainly whether it is something the firm can help with.](https://stonepillar.com.au/contact/) [Get in touch](https://stonepillar.com.au/contact/) [All situations the firm advises on](https://stonepillar.com.au/issues/) ![Black-and-white studio portrait of Michael Themis in a white shirt, arms folded](https://stonepillar.com.au/michael-themis-firm-800.jpg) Michael Themis · Principal Solicitor ## Experience on both sides of the table. Michael Themis is the principal solicitor of Stone & Pillar Legal. His practice covers planning, environment, property and compulsory acquisition, including proceedings in the NSW Land and Environment Court. The firm - Conducted by the principal Michael Themis conducts your matter and is your direct contact. He gives the advice and briefs any barrister required. - Government and private practice Michael trained at Herbert Smith Freehills and King & Wood Mallesons and has held senior NSW and Commonwealth government roles, including as a Senior Manager advising Transport for NSW’s acquisition, valuation and project teams. - Clear advice, practical steps Once engaged, we explain your options and recommend what to do next. We confirm the steps, key dates and responsibilities in writing, and review the advice with you as your matter develops. - Fixed fees, defined work We offer fixed fees for defined work. Before you decide whether to proceed, we confirm in writing the fee, what you will receive and what is excluded. [About the firm](https://stonepillar.com.au/about/) ![The platform level of a new Sydney Metro station, a glass lift shaft rising between timber-panelled walls beneath a vaulted ceiling](https://stonepillar.com.au/images/photos/project-watch-aerial-1280.jpg) On watch ## NSW Project Watch 141 NSW road, rail, energy and water projects that may affect private land. Effects can arise before a proposed acquisition notice is given. Each is on a map, with its stage and its official source. [Browse the NSW Project Watch map](https://stonepillar.com.au/resources/nsw-project-watch/) - Projects on watch 141 - Official sources 241 - Last checked 19 October 2026 Before you call ## Prefer to work through it yourself first? ### Matter Navigator Answer questions about your situation at your own pace. It organises your answers into a briefing you review before anything is sent. Its Notice Decoder can identify 61 kinds of notice. It does not assess prospects, calculate deadlines or give legal advice. [Continue in Matter Navigator](https://stonepillar.com.au/navigator/) Nothing is submitted until you choose. Where to start ## You do not need to have it worked out first Choose a time for a 30-minute phone or Teams call, or leave brief details and ask us to call you back. [Request a call back](https://stonepillar.com.au/contact/#enquiry) [Book a complimentary call](https://stonepillar.com.au/contact/#schedule) --- The information and tools on this website are general information only, are not legal advice, and do not create a solicitor–client relationship. Please don’t send confidential or privileged material until we confirm in writing that we can act. Do tell us any deadline or response date; it remains your responsibility until we confirm in writing that we act for you. See the full [Disclaimer](https://stonepillar.com.au/disclaimer/) and [collection notice](https://stonepillar.com.au/privacy/#collection-notice) . © 2026 Stone & Pillar Legal · New South Wales Stone & Pillar Legal is a business name of Stone & Pillar Pty Ltd ABN 11 698 040 854. Liability limited by a scheme approved under professional standards legislation.