We provide transactional, litigious and strategic services in relation to:

• environmental impact assessments and major project approvals
• town planning
• pollution control, incident management and contaminated land
• land assembly and acquisition, including compulsory acquisition and disputed land valuation claims, Crown land interests, and native title
• climate change, and
• transactional support such as due diligence and advice on contracts and sale agreements.

Our team is also on top of the legal issues concerning renewable energy and emerging low-carbon technologies.

The team is recognised as ‘offering a full environment and planning service’ and for ‘its practical and commercial approach to environmental issues. It is known for its expertise in wind energy, and has a reputation for handling complex environmental matters across a range of industries.’ Chambers Global 2011

‘Clients are impressed by the strength and depth of the practice across the breadth of Australia…’ Chambers Global 2009, and the team is known for its ‘commercial acumen’ and for our lawyers’ high standards and ability to ‘think outside the box.’ Chambers Global 2010

All of our partners are ranked as leading practitioners by Best Lawyers International, and our team is consistently highly ranked in international legal directories and guides including:

• Band 1 Ranking, Environment: Chambers Global 2009–2011
• Band 1 ‘Leading’ recommendation: PLC Which Lawyer? 2010

Some of our major recent matters include:

Gunns Pulp Mill—Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act) litigation

Gunns Ltd engaged us to

• assist on its referral and assessment of the $2 billion Bell Bay pulp mill project under the EPBC Act, and
• act in two legal challenges that were brought by NGOs against the Commonwealth Government’s environmental assessment and approval of the project.

The legal challenges not only jeopardised the project, but also raised key issues regarding the interpretation of the EPBC Act.

In a successful outcome for Gunns, the project was approved by the Commonwealth Minister for Environment, and Gunns won the two legal cases.

Stockyard Hill Wind Farm—Environmental and Planning Assessment Panel hearing, major renewable energy project

Origin Energy engaged us to act in the Environmental and Planning Assessment Panel hearing for this 157-turbine wind farm project in central Victoria. This was one of five Victorian wind farm projects that we acted on during 2010, where we had to respond to issues raised about ecology, noise, landscape, and ‘wind farm syndrome’. It was also the first project that was assessed under the new Commonwealth-Victorian Government bilateral agreement under the EPBC Act.

The project was approved by the Victorian Government in November 2010 and by the Commonwealth in February 2011.

Woodside Energy Pluto Project—major project approvals

Woodside Energy Limited engaged our assistance in obtaining approvals for the multi-billion dollar Pluto Project. After gaining approvals from numerous decision makers, our role has continued into the construction phase. 

Grange Resources Iron Ore Project and Albany Port expansion

Grange Resources Limited engaged Freehills to obtain approvals for its South Down Iron Ore Project. Once that approval was obtained, Freehills was engaged by the Albany Port Authority to assist it obtain approval for the expansion of the Port to allow shipping of Grange Resources product.  

Sylvatech / Great Southern—federal compliance issue

Sylvatech / Great Southern requested our representation in relation to an alleged breach of a Commonwealth environmental approval. Criminal proceedings were averted, with the forestry operator agreeing to undertakings and offsets with the Commonwealth Government.