Welcome to our NSW planning, and property and development update.

In our recent article, Further amendments to NSW Covid-19 Regulations for commercial and retail leases, we outline the key changes that lessors and lessees need to know as the regulations continue to vary.

Our other recent article, Striking a balance between principles and prescription in NSW planning law, looks at the move towards a principles-based approach in NSW planning law in light of the recent introduction of "9 new planning principles", the consolidation of the State Environmental Planning Policies, and the new Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021. In our view, these changes will require considerably more work to achieve this aim.

We're also pleased to announce two new appointments to our property and development legal offering. Leasing expert Deanne Methven joins the Sydney team as Special Counsel, and the bourgeoning Melbourne team welcomes Marina Basile as Senior Associate. You can read more about their appointments here.