My practice embraces advising on a range of developments, from inner urban residential apartments, to commercial and industrial developments, retirement villages and through to greenfield and brownfield redevelopment sites. I have extensive experience as a solicitor advocate, and significant experience in disputes and litigation – VCAT planning appeals.

I have advised both public and private clients on major projects and developments, including Places Victoria (formerly VicUrban) in relation to planning and environment issues associated with development at both Docklands and Dandenong.

I regularly advise organisations such as Victoria Racing Club, Melbourne Racing Club, Port of Melbourne, Places Victoria, and Australia Pacific Airports (Melbourne) Pty Ltd.

I am currently a member, and former long-term Board Member, of the Victorian Planning and Environmental Law Association, and a member of the Law Institute of Victoria.

Career highlights

• DTF-OSARS project - Providing advice on issues, approvals and strategy for planning and environmental approvals and land acquisition issues, including advice on alternative legislative options for approvals and inter-relationship of State and Commonwealth requirements.
• Capella-Melbourne Metro Rail Project - Provision of due diligence advice on planning and environmental issues, including issues raised in Environment Effects Inquiry and planning approval process.
• Places Victoria - Advising in relation to planning and environment issues associated with development at both Docklands and Dandenong, including integration of the development with relevant infrastructure agencies.
• Port of Melbourne Corporation - Advising on both their new planning scheme and proposed planning controls for the environs surrounding the port. This included ensuring the operations of the port were protected from inappropriate development on nearby sites.
• Victorian Department of Primary Industry - Acted for the department in relation to Melbourne Wholesale Markets Redevelopment. This involved drafting the necessary planning controls to facilitate delivery of the project.
• University of Melbourne - Acted for the University in relation to development of the former Royal Women's Hospital. This included ensuring the proposed planning controls were appropriate for the delivery of the project.
• Former Amcor Paper Mill - Acted on the renewal project at Alphington. This included assessing relevant planning tools for delivering the project, as well as determining a strategy for managing infrastructure delivery.
• E-Gate - Advising in relation to the project delivery models and planning approval processes, including options for planning controls and delivery models.

Education
LLB (HONS) (MONASH UNIVERSITY, 1997); BA (HONS) (MONASH UNIVERSITY, 1985)

• Board Member, Victorian Planning and Environmental Law Association (VPELA)

• Consideration of matters relevant to the approval of a quarry
  

  A recent report from Planning Panels Victoria has provided guidance for decision makers on the assessment of planning permit applications for quarries.

• New approval pathways for Victorian infrastructure projects
  

  The introduction of Amendment VC194 to all Victorian planning schemes provides an important and unique alternative approval pathway for State and Local Governments to fast-track the delivery of key infrastructure projects.

• Characterisation of proposed land use in permit applications
  

  A recent VCAT decision provides guidance on how to approach the task of characterising a proposed land use for planning purposes.