Matthew Townsend practises exclusively in planning and environment and property law. He has taught in the Trial Practice and Advocacy program at Monash University and the property law program at Melbourne University.
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 and Easements in Victoria, a website providing casenotes and resources about the modification and removal of restrictive covenants and easements in Victoria.
Memberships include:
Supreme Court of Victoria's Property List Users Group
Supreme Court of Victoria's Valuation, Compensation and Planning User Group
Restrictive Covenants and easements
Viva Energy Refining Pty Ltd v Sumervale Pty Ltd & Anor [2022] VSC 773--recusal application in covenant case
Re Prime Lands (Aust) Pty Ltd [2022] VSC 545--common mistake in the inclusion of a covenant in a transfer of land
Lewis v Petrie [2022] VSC 673--appeal pursuant to section 148 of the VCAT Act on the meaning of 'restriction' in the Planning and Environment Act 1987
Greenville Drive Pty Ltd v Greater Geelong CC [2022] VCAT 868--adjournment of VCAT subdivision application, pending determination of related proceedings in the Supreme Court
De Bono v Brimbank CC [2022] VCAT 638--construction of restrictive covenant in VCAT proceedings
Manderson v Smith [2021] VSCA 359--appeal against an Associate Justice's refusal to enforce a restrictive covenant
Re Pomroy [2021] VSC 739--declaration as to the enforceability of a restrictive covenant
Lewis v Glen Eira CC [2021] VCAT 457--whether the reference to “registered restrictive covenant ” in section 61(4) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 includes encumbrances in section 12(2) of the Subdivision Act 1988
Stockfeld & Anor v Hendon & Ors [2021] VSC 133 -- declaration as to enforceability of covenant
City of Stonnington v Wallish & Ors [2021] VSC 84--removal of covenants to allow the redevelopment of the Percy Treyvaud Memorial Park
Zwierlein v Coelho [2021] VSC 451 (3 August 2021)--modification of a restrictive covenant
Re Ferraro [2021] VSC 166--declaration as to the enforceability of a restrictive covenant.
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
Ferrello Developments Pty Ltd v Wangaratta Rural CC [2022] VCAT 1191--housing development in Wangaratta
Peet Limited Pty Ltd v Greater Dandenong CC [2022] VCAT 960--subdivision to create 101 lots, development of 64 dwellings and removal of native vegetation
Foster v Mornington Peninsula SC [2021] VCAT 285 (2 March 2021)--35 lot subdivision in Mount Eliza
Eastar Group Pty Ltd v Greater Dandenong CC [2019] VCAT 784--construction of 66 townhouses in Keysborough
Healesville Projects Pty Ltd v Yarra Ranges SC [2018] VCAT 1910--construction of four storey residential and commercial development in Healesville
Burwood Highway Projects Pty Ltd v Whitehorse CC [2018] VCAT 1052--construction of five storey residential development in Burwood South
535 Hogans Road Pty Ltd v Wyndham CC [2017] VCAT 1193--construction of 16 single-storey, two-bedroom dwellings in Hoppers Crossing
The Ramsay Consultants Pty Ltd v Whitehouse CC [2017] VCAT 153--construction of six storey, residential and commercial development in Vermont South
Advertising Signs
Drive By Developments Pty Ltd v Melbourne CC [2020] VCAT 1270
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
Golf Course Redevelopment Standing Advisory Committee, Proposed Kingswood Golf Course Redevelopment (for Kingston City Council)
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 and service stations
AA Holdings Pty Ltd v Mornington Peninsula SC [2021] VCAT 1441--Safety beach service station
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
Melbourne C405melb (PSA) [2022] PPV 78-review of proposed heritage listing for property in Carlton
Yarra C149 (PSA) [2013] PPV 41
Duster v Boroondara CC [2012] VCAT 21
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
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
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
Melbourne C405melb (PSA) [2022] PPV 78-review of proposed heritage listing for property in Carlton
North East Link Project (EES) [2019] PPV 57--review of project impacts ffor La Trobe University
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 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--the case for reform, Law Institute Journal, September 2022
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