I am results focussed. It is my job to provide a recommendation supported by sound logic. I will always look to simplify unnecessary complexities, and to speak plainly and in a format that suits you.

Career highlights

• Peabody Energy on all environmental and operational matters in Queensland, including on the approval and development of various coal mines.
• BHP Billiton on all aspects of the proposed open pit expansion of their underground uranium and copper mine at Olympic Dam.
• Resolute on all environmental and operational matters at the Carpentaria Gold Mine in Queensland.
• A short-listed bidder on the environmental and regulatory issues associated with the proposed acquisition of Rio Tinto's assets in Queensland.
• A host of mining companies responding to environmental investigations and defending enforcement action.

Awards

• Exclusive winner Australia-wide of the 2018 Client Choice Energy & Natural Resources Award
• Leading Planning & Environmental Lawyer Doyle's Guide 2018
• Ranked in Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific 2018 for Environment Law
• Listed as a leading lawyer by Asialaw Profiles 2018
• Listed as a leading lawyer in Planning & Environment law in Best Lawyers Australia 2018

• MEROLA 2020 structural changes to Queensland energy and resources law
  

  The MEROLA 2020 bill proposes significant structural changes to the operation of energy and resources legislation in Queensland.

   

• Reforming the EP Act: Enhanced powers and penalties
  

  A Queensland Government consultation paper proposes reforms to the enforcement powers and penalties under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (Qld).

• Application for judicial review of Minister's call in decision refused
  

  The Supreme Court dismissed an application for judicial review of the Minister's decision to call in Wanless' development application for a resource recovery and landfill facility near Ipswich.

• Ipswich waste facility development appeals
  

  This update discusses the case summaries and key learnings from the Ipswich City Council landfill appeals.

• COVID-19 and its effect on Environmental Authority holders in Queensland
  

  Does your business hold an Environmental Authority (EA) under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (Qld) (EP Act)? 

• Land Court refuses thermal coal mine on climate change and human rights grounds
  

  The Land Court's decision in Waratah Coal Pty Ltd v Youth Verdict & Ors [2022] QLC 21 has broad implications for mining approvals in Queensland and beyond.

• Abandoning a use right in Queensland
  

  This article considers the Planning and Environment Court decision of Neilsens Concrete Pty Ltd & Anor v Brisbane City Council [2020] QPEC 3 and whether a use right under a development approval can be abandoned.

   

• Regulated biodiversity certification and trading scheme announced
  

  The proposed biodiversity certificates and trading scheme will be regulated by the Clean Energy Regulator.

• The Caboolture West interim structure plan: A quick guide
  

  In this update, we take you through a summary of the Caboolture West Interim Structure Plan (CWISP) and what it means for stakeholders in Caboolture West.

   

• The water trigger expands: Federal Court rules on the scope of EPBC Act protection of water resources
  
• Update: Stage 2 Nature Positive Plan progresses
  

  The Federal Government has progressed 'Stage 2' of its Nature Positive Plan, with proposed new laws passing in the House of Representatives on 4 July 2024.

• Environmental Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2023 (QLD) introduces broad environmental reform
  

  The Environmental Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2023 (QLD) introduces broad environmental reforms which imposes practical issues that stakeholders must be aware of.

   

• Variation requests: a reminder that they cannot be lodged in isolation
  

  A timely reminder that a variation request can only be applied for if there is also a development application for a preliminary approval for some form of development.

   

• Queensland government introduces broad environmental reform bill
  

  A recently introduced environmental reform bill proposes to have significant implications on Queensland's environmental legal framework.

• Updates to Queensland wind farm development code
  

  In this update, we consider the Queensland Government's review of and key proposed changes to State code 23: Wind farm development.

• 'CBD-style heights': The Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct
  

  In this update, we take you through the key planning changes under Temporary Local Planning Instrument 01/23 Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct.

• Planning reforms to unlock urban housing supply across Queensland
  

  The 2023 Housing Availability and Affordability Bill aims to modify Queensland's planning framework to address the housing crisis.

• Development control plans: some interesting comments from the P&E Court
  

  A recent Planning and Environment Court decision provides some interesting comments for anybody preparing or assessing applications for development in areas the subject of a development control plan.

• Federal Court finds threatened ecological community listing valid
  

  A recent Federal Court decision has discussed whether an EPBC Act listing was described with sufficient certainty to make the listing valid.

• Infrastructure designations a new opportunity for social housing programs
  

  The Queensland government has amended the planning legislation to allow infrastructure designations to be used for housing projects developed under the Housing Investment Fund.