Colin Bridges

Colin Bridges LLB
Consultant
Phone: +61 3 8600 6021
Email:

Teams

Colin is a consultant with Aitken Partners and is an Accredited Specialist in Property Law. With nearly 40 years experience in property law Colin is highly experienced in complex real property, leasing and licensing, planning, development issues.

He has worked on an extensive range of property matters in varying spheres including retirement villages and aged care facilities, farming properties and alpine resorts.

Colin is especially proficient in advising commercial clients on mortgage and security matters and drafting all manner of leases. He also has experience in preparing and advising on guarantees.

Colin’s broad based property practice sees him advise on all aspects of real property covering; property development, sales and acquisition, leases, mortgages and other issues relating to property ownership.

Recent matters that Colin has been key to include:

  • advising the Moltoni Corporation Pty Ltd on a myriad of property law aspects of the redevelopment of the former cement works site in Geelong. Specifically this large scale project has involved:
    • acquisitions (the principal acquisition being the site of the Adelaide Brighton Cement works as well as a number of acquisitions of private farms)
    • planning issues related to the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme
    • s173 agreements
    • Stamp Duty advice and issues related to compulsory acquisition by VicRoads.
  • advising Wise Employment Limited, a not-for-profit organisation assisting disabled and disadvantaged workers, on a series of property leases and acquisitions
  • drafting agreements between councils and developers pursuant to Section 173 of the Planning & Environment Act 1987 (Vic)
  • detailed property and leasing advice for many clients of long standing, including Barristers Chambers Limited where Colin manages the leasing of numerous city premises.

Colin’s is frequently engaged to advise on:

  • land subdivisions
  • establishment and management of owners corporations (formerly, bodies corporate)
  • resolution of disputes for owner corporations
  • converting general law land titles
  • preparation of all documentation for adverse possession applications
  • land tax and objections process
  • GST issues affecting property
  • building contracts for both builders and developers
  • mortgages of land, leases, shares and other securities, including reverse mortgages and equity release products
  • guarantees
  • appropriate finance structuring and development financing
  • advising on and preparing documentation for complex leases of retail, hotel, farming, alpine and coastal properties
  • resolution of lease disputes.

Many of Colin’s clients are farmers, graziers and agribuisnesses in Western Victoria. He frequently provides these remotely located clients with advice and prepares agreements and acts in the sale, purchase and leasing of farming property.

In commercial, retail, and residential developments, Colin’s successfully steered his clients through legal issues such as:

  • issues relating to heritage listings
  • leasehold title
  • 'off the plan' sales and purchases
  • retirement village and residency agreements for Aged Care Facilities
  • resort developments
  • site remediation
  • multi-storey and broad acre property subdivisions.

Colin has experience of administrative law issues, including advising and acting for:

  • Veterinary Practitioners Registration Board in relation to formal disciplinary hearings into professional conduct, involving advice as to the application of principles of natural justice, preparation of charges, preparation of witness statements and appearance to assist the hearing panel.
  • Australasian Veterinary Boards Council Incorporated for whom Colin drafted its Constitution
  • Victorian Government through the Property Law Committee of the Law Institute of Victoria on Acts of Parliament, notably Domestic Buildings Contracts Act 1995.

As an accredited Property Law Specialist he is a member of the peer endorsed group of legal practitioners examined and accredited by the Law Institute of Victoria. He is a member of the Property Law Committee of the Law Institute of Victoria and is often invited to contribute to recommendations on legislation.

Colin has also undertaken pro bono work for the Citizens Advice Bureau for over 20 years and Public Interest Law Clearing House.

Main Navigation