Matthew Townsend has been a barrister for more than 20 years and practises exclusively in planning and environment and property law.  He has taught in the Trial Practice and Advocacy program at Monash University and lectures in planning and environmental law at the Leo Cussen Institute. Matthew regularly supervises students for legal research and work experience. 

In 2000 Matthew was awarded the Public Interest Law Clearing House Pro Bono Award by the Governor of Victoria for his work in environmental litigation. He was Dux of International Environmental Law at Leiden University in Holland in 1992 and was the inaugural winner of the JF Kearney, QC prize in environmental law in 1991. 

Matthew maintains Restrictive Covenants in Victoria, a website providing casenotes and resources about the modification and removal of restrictive covenants in Victoria. He regularly provides legal opinions on covenants to accompany planning applications.

Matthew welcomes electronic briefs.

Memberships include: 

Supreme Court of Victoria's Property List Users Group

Supreme Court of Victoria's Valuation, Compensation and Planning User Group

Recent Matters

The matters below are illustrative of Matthew's recent experience:

Restrictive Covenants

Randell v Uhl [2019] VSC 668 -- an application to modify single dwelling covenant in Templestowe

Re Izadi and Ors [2019] VSC 137 -- an application to modify a building materials covenant

Re Zhang [2018] VSC 721--variation of a single dwelling covenant in Reservoir

Del Papa v Falting [2018] VSC 384--an application to modify a single dwelling covenant in Balwyn

Conlan v Benton & Ors [2017] VSC 244--a declaration and variation concerning a single dwelling covenant in a strip shopping centre in Essendon

Clare & Ors v Bedelis [2016] VSC 381--a declaration considering a "single storey" restrictive covenant in Wheelers Hill

MacLurkin v Searle [2015] VSC 750--the variation of a single dwelling covenant in Boronia

Prowse v Johnstone (No. 2) [2015] VSC 621--declaration concerning the validity of a restrictive covenant in the Coonil Estate in Malvern

Gardencity v Grech & Ors [2015] VSC 538--the variation of a building materials restrictive covenant in Altona

Re: Morrison [2015] VSC 269--the variation of a single dwelling covenant on Beach Road in Mentone

Wong v McConville & Ors [2014] VSC 148--the variation of a single dwelling restrictive covenant in Pascoe Vale

Mark William Suhr & Ors v Andrew Gordon Michelmore & Ors [2013] VSC 284--the variation of a height control covenant in South Yarra

Prowse v Johnstone & Ors [2012] VSC 4--the variation of a restrictive covenant and declaration application in the Coonil Estate, Malvern

Re: Milbex [2006] VSC 298--the variation of a single dwelling restrictive covenant in Elwood

Re: Pivotel [2000] VSC 264--the variation of a single dwelling restrictive covenant in Croydon

Fitt v Luxury Developments Pty Ltd [2000] VSC 258--an injunction to prevent the construction of dwelllings in contravention of a restrictive covenant, prompting the Victorian Parliament to introduce the Planning and Environment (Restrictive Covenants) Act 2000

Residential

Eastar Group Pty Ltd v Greater Dandenong CC [2019] VCAT 784

Healesville Projects Pty Ltd v Yarra Ranges SC [2018] VCAT 1910

Jamarok Pty Ltd v Yarra CC [2018] VCAT 348

Burwood Highway Projects Pty Ltd v Whitehorse CC [2018] VCAT 1052

535 Hogans Road Pty Ltd v Wyndham CC [2017] VCAT 1193

The Ramsay Consultants Pty Ltd v Whitehouse CC [2017] VCAT 153 

​Advertising Signs

Fivex Pty Ltd v Melbourne CC [2019] VCAT 138

Brady Vision Pty Ltd v Melbourne CC [2018] VCAT 589

Melbourne Grand Apartments v Melbourne City Council [2018] VCAT 254

Octopus Media Pty Ltd v Melbourne City Council [2017] VSC 429

Octopus Media Pty Ltd v Melbourne CC [2016] VCAT 2191 

Eyecorp Pty Ltd v Melbourne CC & Ors [2012] VCAT 1918

APN (Outdoor) Trading Pty Ltd v Melbourne City Council [2012] VSC 8

APN Outdoor Pty Ltd v Melbourne CC (Red Dot) [2010] VCAT 1759

Tewlen Pty Ltd v Melbourne CC (Red Dot) [2010] VCAT 535

Asia Pacific Hotels Pty Ltd v Melbourne CC [2009] VCAT 2492

Central Equity v Melbourne CC [2009] VCAT 2075

Melbourne Central Custodian Pty Ltd v Melbourne CC [2006] VCAT 276

Aged/Community Care Facilities

Brecat Holdings Pty Ltd v Kingston CC & Ors [2012] VCAT 1321

Talbot v Melton SC [2011] VCAT 196

Director of Housing v Moorabool SC [2009] VCAT 882

Melbourne C117 (PSA) [2007] PPV 14

Brothels/sexually explicit entertainment venues

Ferraro v Kingston CC [2015] VCAT 2015

Plenty River Hotel v Greater Geelong CC [2006] VCAT 674

Primelife Corporation Pty Ltd v Port Phillip CC [2004] VCAT 325

Babalis & Ors v Glen Eira CC and Ors [2003] VCAT 667

Cancellation or amendment of permits

The Secretary to the Department of Health and Human Services and Melbourne Health v Melbourne CC [2016] VCAT 2051

Brown v Mornington Peninsula SC [2006] VCAT 744  

Ruane & Ors v Swan Hill CC & Anor [2002] VCAT 1355 

Cooper v Surfcoast SC [2000] VCAT 2180 

Chicken broiler farm

Schembri v Cardinia SC [2006] VCAT 2042  

Baird & Ors v Golden Plains Shire Council [2003] VCAT 668  

David Proctor v Shire Melton [2001] VCAT 630 

Development/open space contributions

Melbourne CC v Minister for Planning [2015] VCAT 412    

Callea Property Developments Pty Ltd v Wyndham CC [2014] VCAT 446                

Dexel Engineering Pty Ltd v Maribyrnong CC [2014] VCAT 231

Carson Simpson Pty Ltd v Casey CC [2006] VCAT 1725

Curry v Melton Shire Council [2000] VSC 352  

Survey Group Earth Tech Engineering v Port Phillip CC [2005] VCAT 2638  

Electronic Gaming Machines

Highlands Hotel Craigieburn Pty Ltd at Highlands Hotel premises [2017] VCGLR 15

Enforcement

Central Northeast Development Pty Ltd v Whittlesea CC [2009] VCAT 643 

Upmark Pty Ltd v Melbourne CC [2008] VCAT 2245 

Dennis v A J Baxter Pty Ltd [2008] VCAT 2360 

Environmental Crime

EPA v Exhaust Control Industries (2006)

EPA v Capral Aluminium Ltd (2002)

EPA v Envirogen (2001)

​Existing Use Rights

Octopus Media Pty Ltd v Melbourne City Council [2017] VSC 429

Islamic Museum of Australia v Darebin CC [2014] VCAT 1204 

The Dandenong Parish of the Russian Orthodox Church (Abroad) v Greater Dandenong CC [2014] VCAT 1071

Longwarry (Eastbound) Pty Ltd & Ors v Cardinia SC & Ors (Correction) [2011] VCAT 1851

Patty Malonnes Bar Pty Ltd v Melbourne CC [2010] VCAT 554 

Asia Pacific Hotels Pty Ltd v Melbourne CC [2009] VCAT 2492 

Kraan v Cardinia SC [2006] VCAT 1629 

Freeway Service Centres

Hocking v Cardinia SC [2011] VCAT 1793 

Bredix Pty Ltd v Greater Geelong CC [2009] VCAT 1984 

Carwoode Pty Ltd v Cardinia [2008] VCAT 1334  

Bredix Pty Ltd v Greater Geelong CC [2007] VCAT 818 

Heritage

Yarra C149 (PSA) [2013] PPV 41 

Duster v Boroondara CC [2012] VCAT 21 

Windsor Hotel 

Hurtob Homes Pty Ltd v Campaspe SC [2010] VCAT 1241 

Urban Design Architects Pty Ltd v Banyule CC [2010] VCAT 709

Landfill and rehabilitation

Wheelahan & Anor v City of Casey & Ors (No 5) [2011] VSC 62 

Dennis v A J Baxter Pty Ltd [2008] VCAT 2360 

Skye Environmental Services Pty Ltd v Frankston CC [2006] VCAT 2596 

Medical Centres

68 Kangaroo Road Pty Ltd v Glen Eira CC [2016] VCAT 1028​

Native vegetation

North Burnside Pty Ltd v Melton SC [2009] VCAT 1203 

Leighton Properties (Vic) Pty Ltd v Melton CC [2008] VCAT 2563 

Greater Dandenong C87 (PSA) [2008] PPV 82

Panel hearings

North East Link Project (EES) [2019] PPV 57

C89 to the Latrobe Planning Scheme 

C196 into the built form controls for City North 

C190 into the built form controls for Arden Macaulay 

C171 into height limits in Southbank 

C143 (PSA) Kingston Green Wedge

Permit extensions

Yarra Valley Grammar School v Maroondah CC [2008] VCAT 1172 

Fraser v Macedon Ranges SC [2008] VCAT 1822 

Tylden Nominees PL v Macedon Ranges Shire Council [2004] VCAT 1655 

Licensed premises and place of assembly

350 William Street Owners Corporation No 1 PS 636376F v Melbourne CC [2018] VCAT 335

Tuhan v Moira SC [2016] VCAT 235 

Robertson v Yarra CC [2014] VCAT 571 

Righele v Darebin CC [2012] VCAT 829

AA Holdings Pty Ltd v Boroondara CC [2013] VCAT 437

Orangechapel Pty Ltd v Director of Liquor Licensing [2010] VCAT 110 

The Friendly Backpacker Pty Ltd v Melbourne CC [2008] VCAT 669

Renewable energy facilities

Powervault Mildura Solar Generator One Pty Ltd v Mildura Rural CC [2019] VCAT 1473

Roads and rail

Pipingas v Stonnington CC [2019] VCAT 1713

Casey C102 (PSA) [2009] PPV 62

Vic Roads v Nillumbik SC & Ors [2002] VCAT 1003

Bevacqua v Casey CC [2001] VCAT 2264

Schools

Firbank Grammar School v Bayside CC [2019] VCAT 1985

Marsden v Macedon Ranges CC (includes Summary) (Red Dot) [2012] VCAT 1038

Eltham College v Nillumbik SC & Ors [2010] VCAT 439

Yarra Valley Grammar School v Maroondah CC [2008] VCAT 1172

Campbell v Shire of Macedon [2005] VCAT 2826

Recent Papers

Restrictive covenants in Victoria, a theoretical overview, Paper to the University of Melbourne's undergraduate property law course, providing an overview of the development of restrictive covenants in Victoria; the means by which they may be amended or removed; and a summary of attempts at reform

Adverse possession: a summary of basic principles and some reflections on recent cases, Paper to the Law Institute of Victoria's Accredited Property Law Specialists professional development forum, Sofitel, March 2018

Overview of statutory controls and dispute resolution mechanisms in relation to use and development in Victoria--Presentation to the University of Melbourne's Masters of Laws program, 12 October 2017

Recent developments in restrictive covenants and easements in Victoria--Paper for the Law Institute of Victoria's Accredited Property Law Specialists professional development forum, Sofitel, March 2017