Disputes with Local Councils
Hardly a year goes by without media reports on the amount of money spent by Councils on disputes between developers and ratepayers. For some local government areas, monies spent on legal costs associated with these disputes amount to 20% to 25% of their total planning budget. Planners and their managers are not happy with this, nor are the ratepayers.
Elected councillors promise ratepayers that they will do something about this massive expenditure, but often the solution escapes them. Yet those Councils who employ mediation programs can demonstrate substantial savings in less litigation and reduced waste of planners time. An added advantage is that citizens and developers who are consulted, spoken to and listened to, feel satisfied with Council's process, and are more likely to accept proposals in which they have participated rather than those that are forced on them by Council or the Court.
Services from Michael Green Mediation
Michael Green QC has gathered a team of highly trained experts who are leaders in negotiating local government, workplace, building and commercial disputes.
Our services include:
- On-site assessment of problems
- Interviews with stakeholders
- Preparation of analytical reports
- Recommendations for remedial action
- Facilitated meetings
- Mediation
- Follow-up consultation
We can design a process which assists you to solve disputes in a timely and low-cost manner. Our rates are considerably less than those charged by solicitors and barristers. And the results come to you in a fraction of the time that it takes a Court to sort them out.
The principal reasons for our success are our expertise in facilitated meetings and mediation.
A facilitated meeting is one to which all interested stakeholders (objectors, residents, parties) are invited. Those present are encouraged by the facilitator/chairperson to air their views in an orderly manner. Issues are identified and recorded, spokespeople chosen, and an appropriate process for determination is agreed on by those present.
Mediation is a non-legal, informal conference in which a trained mediator assists the parties to talk about their issues and problems, and encourages them to develop options and to reach an agreement that will work for them.
Let us show you how it's done!
What's different about mediation with Michael Green Mediation?
- We will travel anywhere in NSW
- Our mediators have over 20 years experience between them
- We have an established track record of success
- We work in close collaboration with our clients
- Our mediation sessions are client-driven and client-focused
- Our charge rates are reasonable and competitive
Liverpool Council
Liverpool City Council set up the Dispute Resolution program in September 1997. The program operates separately from the City Development Unit. Liverpool City Council has continued to fully fund and support the program ever since its inception. Michael Green Mediation has achieved over 90% success at Liverpool Council in negotiating successful outcomes via mediation with respect to Building Development Applications. Liverpool have benefited from the resulting significant savings in litigation achieved.
