Compliance and enforcement
McLeods has extensive experience in all matters relating to local government compliance and enforcement. We have been involved in thousands of successful prosecutions for local government and are the only law firm in WA that has a team of lawyers who practice solely in local government enforcement.
At McLeods, we understand the desire of local governments to find solutions that are cost-effective and result in long-lasting change. We help create such solutions in a timely and effective manner by taking a broad view of local government enforcement. Not only are we able to assist in prosecutions, we also offer services to help local governments achieve broad based compliance through effective methods. This includes services such as drafting effective warning letters, preparing statutory notices, and assisting with alternative dispute resolution and injunctive relief.
Local government enforcement can be an intimidating field that is often viewed as a last-resort for local governments due to the cost and previous experience that enforcement proceedings have failed to stop offending behaviour. However, many local governments have reassessed their view after adopting McLeods’ approach to enforcement processes. Our comprehensive local government enforcement approach is cost effective and succeeds at stopping the offending conduct in most cases. Using our comprehensive approach, many local governments have recovered fines and costs that exceed their annual legal expenditure.
How we can assist with local government enforcement and compliance
We regularly assist clients with prosecutions for offences under planning, environmental, health and building legislation as well as local laws. In addition, our team has the expertise to review and draft enforcement provisions in local laws and local planning schemes, as well as preparing notices and written directions which meet legislative requirements. We are also intimately familiar with building legislation in Western Australia and issues that can arise with building permits, occupancy permits and compliance with the Building Code of Australia.
The McLeods team behind local government enforcement
The McLeods’ enforcement team has undertaken thousands of successful prosecutions for local government and has been involved in leading decisions relating to sentencing for local government offences. We are committed to helping local governments throughout Western Australia achieve their enforcement objectives.
Key Personnel
Peter Gillett
Partner
Tim Beckett
Partner
Adam Watts
Partner
Madeline Madvad
Lawyer