Harry Knowlman
Harry has over 40 years’ experience in engineering, property development, and construction, with a particular focus on the residential sector.
He ceased all private practice in June 2025, but still serves as a referee on the Development Tribunal, a dispute resolution body set up by the Planning Act.
Qualifications/ Memberships
Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) 1981 – University of Queensland
Bachelor of Laws (Hons) 2015 – University of Queensland
Registered Professional Engineer Qld #03375 (non-practising)
Member, Institution of Engineers Australia
Associate Member, Bar Association of Queensland
Licensed Builder #24383 (open class)
Experience
2017 – 2025 – Barrister
2002 – 2017 – Nyoongai Pty Ltd – property development, residential and rural investment
1990 – 2002 – Knowlman & Swindon – design & construct housebuilding
1988 – 1990 – Griffin & Knowlman Pty Ltd – construction, residential development
1986 – 1988 – Structural Engineer , Ove Arup & Partners, London
1982 – 1985 – Graduate Engineer , McWilliams, Brisbane.
about harry knowlman
Harry Knowlman has long experience in business, engineering, construction, and property. Throughout his career he has dealt with practical and legal matters involving contracts, planning, and taxation, as well as business and financial management, employee relationships, and negotiation.
He was self-employed, and carried out or overseen all functions of management and operations in his businesses, for some 35 years. He owned and operated a house design and construct business for 12 years, then after retiring from construction owned and ran a successful property development business, specializing in residential land subdivision and multi-residential projects.
He was involved with property investment, development, and town planning issues throughout his career, including development application preparation (code and impact assessable, “risksmart”, over-density, and “generally inappropriate”) and submissions on both city and neighbourhood plan changes. He has experience with submitter appeals against approvals, and developer appeals against refusals, including in the Planning & Environment Court. He has experience negotiating with local authorities and with both friendly and hostile interested parties and neighbours.
As a barrister, Harry was involved in a wide range of matters including contract, consumer, planning, employment, construction, and professional liability disputes, and appeared in the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court, the District Court, the Planning and Environment Court, and QCAT.
He naturally maintains a particular interest in building and construction, planning, property, and the law generally.
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Areas of Practice
+ Building & Construction
+ Commercial Law
+ Planning & Property
+ Insurance
+ Consumer & Trade
+ Succession
Recent Cases and Articles
Recent Posts / View All Posts
The Planning Act 2016 (Qld) (PA) commenced on 3 July 2017, replacing the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 (SPA) as the primary legislation regulating development in Queensland. The provisions under which development applications are to be determined (approved or refused) are substantially changed in the PA. How the court interprets and…
PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT – APPEAL – where submitter appeal against approval – where approval for a mixed use high-rise development – where development does not comply with planning scheme in force at the time the development application was properly made – where latter amendments made to planning scheme – whether…
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNALS – QUEENSLAND CIVIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL – where applicant seeks final decisions before a full hearing – whether respondent caused unnecessary disadvantage – whether discretion should be exercised. Full judgment on the Supreme Court Library website.