Compulsory Acquisition Compensation Applications    

What is Compulsory Land Acquisition?

It can be a shock for many people to discover that just because you own the property you live or work on doesn't mean it can't be taken from you.

'Compulsory acquisition of land' happens when a government grants a private company or public authority the power to acquire your land, or an interest in it, for use in a public project such as a freeway, underground pipeline or overhead powerline construction, national park expansion or railway extension.

A compulsory acquisition of your land can be a frightening experience and may have a big impact on its value or on the value of a business you run from it.

If someone says they have the authority to buy my land what can I do?

If your property is suddenly sought out in a compulsory land acquisition, Slater & Gordon strongly recommend that you seek prompt legal advice to ensure that your rights and entitlements are fully protected. Slater & Gordon can help. Our legal team will work with you to assess the relevant issues and advise you frankly of the legal options and avenues available to resolve your circumstances.

We have given advice to landowners and groups of landowners in relation to various compulsory acquisition projects including the Bass Link Project for construction of electricity transmission pylons, the Bass Gas Pipeline Project and the Scoresby Freeway extension.

We understand that when a powerful and well-resourced organisation tries to buy land, or part of it, for a public project without warning, many property owners are left feeling helpless and intimidated.

We can help you by:

• Negotiating with the company or government authority about the amount of compensation paid to you and the terms of the contracts you enter into
• Engaging valuation and other experts to advise you on the amount of compensation you should be paid and other matters affecting your use of the land
• Preparing and making a claim for compensation.

As a landowner you may not be required to pay for legal advice. In the past, Slater & Gordon have entered into agreements for the acquiring authority to pay legal costs incurred on behalf of landowners.

Talk to us

If your property is the subject of a compulsory land acquisition and you would like more information about how we can help you, please contact us either by email or by calling direct on 1800 555 777.

Our Specialists:

Melbourne
Ben Hardwick
David Andrews 
Diana Young 
Odette McDonald 
Phi, Ben
Walter, Mark

Sydney
Ben Whitwell
Cakic, Milan
Hoppner, Eva
Lewis, Steven
Maurice, May
Nick Dale

Brisbane
Mitchell Brown