OUR EXPERTISE
Environmental Law
The use or intended use of land for development, mining, agricultural or conservation based activities will often result in the need for specialist environmental legal advice. We assist clients in understanding their obligations under State and Commonwealth laws, advising on the implications and management of environmental impacts and providing advice and representation on matters of compliance, enforcement, and prosecution. One of the firm’s key strengths is advising on the intersection between planning and environmental law such as the management of land use conflicts, navigating the planning and environmental approval pathway and the management of bushfire risks in future development.
How we can support
Environmental Approvals
We advise and assist our clients in obtaining all manner of environmental approvals. We have helped clients obtain clearing permits, water licences, works approvals and licences for prescribed premises. We can help clients to navigate through the Environmental Impact Assessment process for projects that may have a significant effect on the environment.
We have also advised clients on vegetation conservation notices, environmental protection notices, closure notices and prevention notices both at the negotiation stage and to mount challenges with the Appeals Convenor or Court.
Environmental Prosecutions
We can represent you if are being investigated for or have been charged with a prosecution notice for an environmental offence. We have significant experience in representing clients working in the agriculture sector, who may have been charged with unlawfully clearing native vegetation or rare flora species. We regularly defend clients charged with pollution offences and non-compliance with environmental conditions on licences or approvals.
Waste & Landfill
Whether you are a public authority, landowner or site operator, we can advise you on the approval pathways for waste projects, regulatory and compliance issues and environmental liabilities. We also have experience in advising on matters involving transportation and disposal of dangerous goods, hazardous materials and controlled waste.
Contaminated Sites
We can help guide you through the complex legal and regulatory issues that arise in contaminated sites. This includes conducting due diligence on site selection, undertaking searches on the contaminated sites register and advising on the risks of developing a suspected or confirmed contaminated site. We have helped clients obtain damages and compensation in commercial disputes where their land has been contaminated by a third party and requires remediation.
Renewable Energy & Climate Change
We can advise on the full spectrum of climate change policy issues and initiatives, as well as regulatory compliance. Our team is able to assist with facilitating renewable energy projects, responding to climate change issues arising in relation to development projects and advising land owners or project proponents on development and land access agreements.
Recent Experience
Environmental Approvals
Advising a mining company of the application of State environmental laws to Commonwealth owned land and extensive liaison with government departments.
Advising and representing a private company port operator in relation to the environmental and planning approvals required for the decommissioning of oil and gas assets.
Advising an ASX- listed industrial company on matters relating to the referral and assessment of a project under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (WA).
Providing advice on environmental approvals required under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999 (Cth) for a large-scale mine.
Advising on approvals under State and Commonwealth legislation as part of comprehensive environmental, planning and lane tenure due diligence services required for the financing of major infrastructure operations in the North-east of WA.
Advising on the necessary approvals required for waste facilities.
Advising a major land developer on the applicability of State and Commonwealth environmental legislation on major residential development and preparing a conservation covenant.
Appealing the issuance of an environmental protection notice issued to a major recycling facilities and liaising with regulatory authorities to amend operating licences. Additionally, drafting and negotiating leases with a particular focus on leasing issues arising from land contamination.
